In this short story, Time is not a concept but a person, a woman.
What happens when Time herself struggles with the emotional weight of existence? When the keeper of moments drowns in the criticism of those who never have enough of her, who blame her for passing too quickly or dragging endlessly?
"Healing Era" takes you on an intimate journey as time confronts her fractured self-image and embarks on a path toward wholeness. Through vivid sensory details and emotional depth, this short yet profound story explores how we can learn to embrace every aspect of ourselves—even the parts others criticize or misunderstand.
In this short story, Time is not a concept but a person, a woman.
What happens when Time herself struggles with the emotional weight of existence? When the keeper of moments drowns in the criticism of those who never have enough of her, who blame her for passing too quickly or dragging endlessly?
"Healing Era" takes you on an intimate journey as time confronts her fractured self-image and embarks on a path toward wholeness. Through vivid sensory details and emotional depth, this short yet profound story explores how we can learn to embrace every aspect of ourselves—even the parts others criticize or misunderstand.
For just a moment, time seemed to halt, to breathe in the changing of the seasons with appreciation. It was short and fleeting—a failed attempt, really.
She willed her feet, one in front of the other, across town for her appointment, just like she had for the past six months. Avoiding the crunchy leaves and people’s gazes as they passed, she took her natural pace, not too fast, and not at all too slow. She wouldn’t be late.
The route she took was longer than it needed to be, winding through town, adding minutes and parts of miles to avoid the hospitals and graveyards on the way. In the fall, which it was now, she walked the loop around Chestnut Street to avoid the college campus, swerving the annual drop-off of students and, more importantly, the sobs of parents watching their ‘little babies’ go off to college. Her stomach turned sour at the thought.
A nearby car horn jolted her. The man blared his frustration with the other who’d overstayed at the red light. It made her cringe. She hated rush hour—even the name felt personal—the gridlock of cars, every driver impatient with offensive fingers flying around. Each one selfish and malicious, afraid to be late, mad at any delay, watching the minutes tick by on their dashboards—as if their schedule was the only one that mattered, and they were entitled to keep it. A familiar pain rang through her chest. She continued on, gaze locked on her shoes, leaving them to their aggressions and fleeting illusions, but still the ache within her remained.
People hardly noticed her presence but they always noted when she was gone. Especially when they felt cheated by her. People wanted more or wanted less and they never seemed content to just be with her, to accept her as she was. At least, that’s what it felt like.
Her hollow steps brought her to the office park, the big directory sign marking Suite 239 as Dr. G’s.
With a deep breath, she attempted to soak in any optimism the vicinity provided. It wasn’t much but it would have to do. Like a ghost stuck in a vacant home, she plodded up the cement steps.
Title: Healing Era
Author: Stephanie Speeney
Format: Advanced Reader Copy (E-book)
Start Date: 30/04/2025
Finish Date: 30/04/2025
Summary:
What if time wasn’t an abstract concept? In Healing Era, Time is a woman by the name of Era. Era often faces the criticism that she goes by too fast or too slowly. Era feels that Humanity doesn’t appreciate her like it should. Today, Era has a therapist appointment. Can she finally allow herself to start to heal?
Review:
Imagine Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time, except it features Time instead of Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Which and Mrs. Who as secondary characters. This is Era, Speeney’s main character, an anxious yet endearing character. Befitting her personification, Era describes things with lyricality that also yields a sharpness in tune with her long life. Even though Era is resistant to change, Dr. G, her therapist, is a kind and gentle man who only wants the best for her.
Speeney’s writing is well-reasoned and fluid and the descriptions are vivid, nearly leaping off the page. One description that I particularly enjoy is the scenario of a boy clutching his bright red toque to his head as he goes flying downhill on his sled while hanging onto his seat with his other hand. Another thing that I like about Speeney's writing style is that Era's temper is realistic. She doesn't just brush things off by saying, "Oh well, I'll get over it in a century or two." Era reacts as if she were just like any other (human) being, capable of instant anger, frustration and happiness.
Recommendation:
Healing Era is a tad melancholic yet has an undercurrent of hope that encourages not taking oneself too seriously and seizing the opportunities that come one’s way, even if they don’t seem important at the time. If you're feeling in the mood for a fast-paced yet introspective read, I recommend Stephanie Speeney's Healing Era.