Daylight Savings Time Nightmare.

"The Tuesday after daylight saving time begins is always weird!" Marge whispered, as she stared out the front door. She knew that Clay should have been home two hours ago, but his car was not in its assigned parking space. It was at this point, she realized all the parking spaces were empty.

"Marge," came Clay's voice from behind her. "Could you please close the door. You know the air purifiers don't work properly with the door open."

"Clay," she turned to face her husband. "When... How did you get home? Where's the car?"

"Sweet heart, don't you remember? We sold the car five years ago, when Governor Marley banned automobiles from the state. I'm working at home now."

"Uh...." Marge shook her head, as if trying to clear her mind. "Why don't I fix us some breakfast? Would you like bacon and scrambled eggs?"

"Bacon? Dear, we haven't had bacon in this house in a year. I'll fix us breakfast! I think there were two eggs in yesterday's grocery delivery. I'll scramble them and toast us a couple of English muffins."

Turning back to the front door, Marge took one more look outside before closing and locking the deadbolt. With a sigh, she followed Clay into the kitchen. "Clay, when did we get a new electric range?"

"When the complex went to solar power." He put the muffins and eggs on plate and carried them to the breakfast bar. "Would you like a cup of cafe mocha this morning?"

"Yes." She stared down at her plate, unable to comprehend what was going on. "Clay, uh..." She watch him at the Keurig© brewing one mug at a timed, before squeezing the chocolate syrup into the hot coffee.

"Marge, are you alright? You seem a bit confused."

"I don't know! I think I need a vacation. When can we go to the seaside?"

"Anytime, Sweet Heart, go into the virtual reality room, and choose which beach on Earth you want to visit."

"Virtual reality? Clay I want to go to a real beach!"

"So do I, but real beaches aren't safe any more. The UV rays are high enough to give you cancer. The ocean pollution will infect you with all sorts of diseases."

"I... I don't understand. We just went to the Pacific Ocean last year. The UV rays and pollution couldn't have gotten that bad in just a year."

"We haven't been to the Pacific Ocean in five years. Marge, I'll call Dr. Peterson's office and make you a virtual appointment with her Nurse Practitioner June Carter. If Ms Carter thinks you need a complete physical Dr. Peterson will make a house call or have you check into a hospital for tests."

"I must be dreaming. Nothing real!" She got up, walked to the kitchen door, and turned around to face her husband. "Clay, I'm going back to bed. Wake me up when Wednesday arrives. I think I'm having a daylight savings time nightmare."

Word Count: 495
Submitted to "SENIOR CENTER FORUM"