After getting shoes added to my order I didn’t have much to do. Hard to believe it was already late afternoon by this point. It can be amazing how time flies when you’re busy and distracted. At least I wasn’t hungry yet, even after not eating lunch, although it might be a good idea to start thinking about putting something together for supper. My normal habit was eating a good breakfast and multiple small ‘snacks’ throughout the day and a light supper before working out. It was a healthier way to eat than just two or three big meals.

I figured that Alex would continue that trend, but tonight I was thinking about doing something a little more. Maybe make it look like a “Thank you” for Alex or something? I kind of felt like it would be appropriate under the circumstances. I know Alex wasn’t real in a sense, but Jacobus did say he was a perfect copy of me. It just felt wrong to think of myself… Of Alex like that. I really need to get my thoughts in order. With that, I decided to try and start thinking of Alex and myself as two different people. I had to if I wanted to keep moving and not get bogged down in my own thoughts.

While I was looking through the fridge trying to decide what to make, my phone chimed telling me I had a text message. Alex must have had the same thoughts as I did and told me not to try and fix anything. He was going to pick something up on the way home and wanted me to look forward to it.

“Hmm, I wonder what that means? I should know how he thinks, but for some reason, I’m coming up blank. I wonder what that’s about?” I mumbled to myself as I replied with thanks and that I ‘couldn’t wait’. “Why did I add that last part though?”

‘Well, let’s just move on from that shall we?’ I started to pick up what little there was. I put the clothes and towels that I had used earlier in the day into the laundry basket and put the dishes from this morning away. Looking around I was at a loss. There really wasn’t anything to do. This RV might be big, but it was still an RV in the end and I was somewhat of a clean freak so that left little to be done on the cleaning side of things.

“Screw it. I need to move. Maybe some more yoga will help me relax.”

The rug I used for yoga was still in the living room from this morning and it would feel good to stretch and move around. I was slowly starting to feel like this body was actually mine, which was a good thing. I would hopefully have it for a long time even if it wasn’t what I would have preferred. I’m alive, that’s all that mattered in the end. It has always amazed me what the human mind can get accustomed to and I could get used to this. All I had to do was try… Well, as a certain little green person once famously said, “Do or do not. There is no try.”

I was still unsure about my future. As of now I definitely had no interest in men or anything to do what that. It was weird, but I didn’t really think of women that way either. Maybe it had something to do with the age regression? I couldn’t tell for sure and thinking too hard about it would just make my mind spiral and be unproductive at best. Figure out what you can and slowly chew on the rest. That’s the best way to tackle the hard stuff. Maybe as I gained more insights into my current situation I could piece together the answers to those types of questions.

Yoga was such a good outlet for me. It helped keep my mind calm while I tried to work through my various problems as well as helped me get used to moving around again and figure out my current limitations. Martial arts were still my preferred meditation method, but my current outfit wouldn’t work well with that. The shirt worked but the shorts still tried to fall off even with the drawstring cinched as tight as I could get it. From what I could tell my body was really well-defined for what a ten-year-old should be. That still didn’t make it easy to keep the shorts up. I must have just gotten lucky with the sweatpants this morning, or maybe it was the material. “Hmm, maybe that’s it. The sweat pants were cotton and soft, whereas these shorts are slicker.”

I slowly worked through various forms and stretches for about another hour when I heard my pickup coming up the drive again. As I finished my last pose, The door opened and Alex started setting bags down. He just flashed me a smile and went to retrieve the last of them so I got up and moved everything to the couch to sort through. Luckily everything looked good. The materials were nicer than I was expecting, and everything looked like it would be really cute.

Crap.

I just sighed as I started looking for some empty hangers. I hated folding clothes. No matter what I tried they always seemed to wrinkle so I got in the habit of hanging everything up. Alex came in with the last of the bags and went to retrieve some more hangers. Once I finished hanging everything up in the garage I figured it was time to bite the bullet. I closed the curtains that covered the glass door between the kitchen and garage and picked up a pair of panties. No help for it. I never liked going commando anyway. Holding the small undergarment in my hands, I noticed just how soft and smooth they were. ‘That’s not usually how they are, is it? I remember some of my ex’s had lingerie like this if not a lot sexier, but the material was the same. These are just plain panties. Was it just the store I ordered from?’ I didn’t know and it didn’t really matter I guess.

Taking the shorts off and putting on my new underwear I was again amazed at how soft they were. They were also way more comfortable than I was thinking they would be. “That’s not as bad as I was afraid it was going to be. It’s still kind of embarrassing, but doable. At least this, I can kinda get used to.” Mumbling to myself again I grabbed one of the pairs of yoga pants (yes, yoga pants. that’s the best I could find for training gear that I was “comfortable” getting. Dang memories. You would have figured sweat pants were fine for exercise right?… Nope.) and a light t-shirt. Feeling immensely better for some reason… Well, I knew the reason, I just didn’t want to think about it, I went back out into the kitchen.

“You look like you feel better already Sasha, but shouldn’t you have cleaned up before changing? It looked like you worked up a decent sweat with yoga.”

“It’s fine Uncle Alex, (I just said uncle didn’t I. Crap. Crap. Crap.) I wanted to run a little and maybe you could let me train with you after supper.”

“That’s my favorite niece for you! I’m glad to hear you still train and do yoga. It always helped me for sure and to see you like it too makes me happy. Now I can have someone to train with!”

“I’m still not very good with martial arts, and I don’t think my stamina is any good so please go easy on me. I remember how you can get.”

That wasn’t just a platitude. The main reason I never really trained with anyone is that I tended to go a little overboard at times, pushing myself and everyone else to their limits. ‘Huh, maybe Jacobus and I have a little more in common than I thought… Nope. Not possible.’

“Right… I will be sure to take it slow.” Alex folded his arms and got a pensive look. “How about we eat while it’s hot? I got you a bowl of tonkotsu ramen from one of the restaurants I go to. You still like ramen right?”

“Oh, That does sound good. Thanks, Uncle Alex!” I should have guessed. Ramen did sound really good right now, but why did I have to say it like that? Why can’t I talk like I normally would? I can kinda understand saying ‘Uncle Alex’ because the back story said Alex was like an uncle to me and the memories Jacobus implanted in my head made me feel that way, but did I have to say it in a cute way like that? Please no. My mind is still almost forty years old so saying it like that almost physically hurts.

After Alex set up the little table in the living room we sat down to eat. The ramen was even better than usual. It must have something to do with my “new” senses because the flavors exploded in my mouth. That little restaurant always had good food so I tended to stop by there at least once a week. Probably way more carbs than I should have eaten, although that didn’t stop me. I exercised regularly and generally ate healthily so splurging once in a while was good.

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I didn’t even get halfway through and started feeling full. Well, I was a lot smaller now so that made sense. I put the lid back on my bowl and found room in the fridge. I could eat some later or tomorrow.

“Done already?”

“Yes, thanks again, Uncle Alex. That was delicious.” Please send help. I’m not sure I can take much more talking like this.

“Good. I knew you would like it. Let’s relax for a little bit and then we can do a little training before bed. I was thinking tomorrow morning we could go into town. I need to stop by work to finalize my resignation and we still have a little shopping to do.”

“Do I need to come?”

“Yes. Sorry little one, but we need to find you a bed and pick out some more furniture for your room along with getting you some other basic necessities.”

“Oh, I see. I just don’t want to trouble you too much.” In other words? There is NO way I’m ready to go out into public like this. Nope, don’t wanna!

“You’re fine Sasha. Don’t ever think you are troubling me. I promised your parents if anything happened I would take care of you. I know you were too young to remember, but I made that promise to you as well. You’re family so promise me you won’t forget that.”

My eyes started to burn at those words. Hearing something like that, even if I knew it was from ‘myself’ stung for some reason. They were actually words I had spoken before to my sister’s kids so I knew the truth behind them.

“I-I won’t Uncle Alex. I promise.” I looked down as I replied. My voice was really soft and I couldn’t blame my memories or the age regression this time. That really struck home for me in more ways than one. They gave me reassurance that even under the circumstances I wasn’t alone, at least in a way, and I had someone (I truly started thinking of the construct… No, Alex, as a person) I could rely on and to help me out. I started to believe, at least a little, that things would work out. Whether they would work out how I wanted was neither here nor there at this point. Besides, things like that can change in a heartbeat and no one knows what the future will bring.

“Good. Everything will work out Sasha. I know you’re going through a hard time right now, and not all of it has sunk in. Just remember I’m here. Whatever you need, whatever I can do to help I will be here. I can’t let you just shut yourself away though. That’s not healthy. What we can do is take things slow.”

“You’re right… Thank you.” Even though what I was really going through was totally different from what he believed, those words were nevertheless true. His assurance that he would be there for me also helped. Way more than I thought they would.

“Alright. Why don’t we clean up and then do a little exercise to clear our heads?”

“That sounds good. I was thinking of jogging for a little bit and then was wondering if you would help me with some Aikido?”

“That sounds like a good start. Why don’t you go get your shoes and I will clean up. There isn’t much to do anyway and I will meet you outside.”

“Sure.”

I went back to my ‘room’ and grabbed my running shoes. Looking around I couldn’t find any socks. Oh no. I forgot those as well. Dang it. Why was I so forgetful this afternoon? No help for it. I would just have to buy some tomorrow when we went into town. After walking out into the living room and starting to put on my shoes, Alex noticed I didn’t have socks and just laughed again. Come on, really? Worse than that? I blushed again. Please body, don’t do things I usually wouldn’t. Looking up after Alex said my name, I reflexively caught the black ball he tossed to me. It was a pair of black ankle socks that I never wore. They would be big, but should work for now. Thanking him I finish putting on my shoes and stood up to go outside.

“We’ll grab some socks tomorrow as well. You shouldn’t get flustered over something like that Sasha. Everyone forgets things and you pretty much have to start over. Come on. Let’s get going.” Alex put his large hand gently on my shoulder as he spoke. I nodded my head and followed him outside.

After about five minutes of running, I realized something and had to run back into the house. Getting to my room I took my shirt off and was really glad that I had decided to buy those sports bras. How was this so uncomfortable when I barely had anything on my chest? It was impossible to know, I only hoped this would help. ‘If it’s always like this how do other women do it? If it gets worse I might cry.’ About two hours later I could barely walk. I pushed myself way too hard, after all, that’s what I needed. Alex tried to stop me more than once. A while later he finally realized that and let me push past my limits. It felt good and I figured out a lot about my new self. I was in way better shape than I had thought at first. Nothing like I used to be, although I had to remind myself that I was only ten now and probably way ahead of most kids my age. Knowing that helped me keep up a positive mindset. Exercise really was good for the mind, body, and soul in my not-so-humble opinion. Don’t like it? Sorry, not sorry.

I did some more stretches before we went inside for the evening. I was probably going to be really sore in the morning so I took a little more time with stretching than I usually would have hoping it would help a little. Alex just smirked and then laughed when I glared at him. Dang it, I knew my friends (the few I had) said my sense of humor could be really annoying, but did I have to be like that all the time?

“Come on. Go shower and get ready for bed.” Alex was still laughing a little when he told me that. I just punched him in the side as I was walking towards the house. It seems like my memories let me get away with stuff like that at times, and it felt like Valeria and Zeke would both agree that martial arts and exercise were good things. Knowing that took a huge load off my mind and I felt my shoulders relax as I grabbed some fresh clothes and headed for the shower.

Letting the hot water wash over my small body felt amazing. A hot shower after a good workout was the best. Luckily my RV had one of those endless water heaters, unfortunately, it took a lot of propane so after a couple more minutes I washed and shut off the water. Drying myself off and dressing quickly in some soft flannel pants and another t-shirt, I wrapped up my hair again and grabbed the hair dryer figuring I could dry my hair in my room so Alex could use the shower sooner rather than later. I knew he would appreciate that.

“Done already?”

“Yes, I can dry my hair in my room. Go ahead, Uncle Alex. Thanks for letting me go first.” Saying that I grabbed a glass of water and took a long drink. So good.

“No worries. I was just catching up on emails and dealing with the restaurants. What time do you want to head into town tomorrow? We don’t have to leave too early, but I would like to have enough time to get everything done.”

“Up to you Uncle Alex. Whatever you think is best.”

“Ok, how does leave by eight sound? Most places we need to stop by won’t open until nine anyway and we can stop by the office first thing.”

“I can do that. See you in the morning.”

“Night Sasha. Sweet dreams.”

I just realized, I’m a pushover. How did I never figure that out? I knew I always had a soft spot for kids, but was I always that bad?

Walking into my room I closed the door and blinds. I just stood there for a moment looking at my bed trying to figure out what felt off. Whatever, it will come to me later. Undressing after drying my hair, I slipped under my covers and tried to go to sleep. Tossing and turning I wasn’t able to find a comfortable position. So annoying. I’ve slept back here before and the bed wasn’t that bad, so what’s wrong? I finally sat up and crossed my legs to think about it. Why couldn’t I get comfortable? There had to be a reason. Yep, there it is. I wasn’t wearing a nightgown. Seriously? All that because I wasn’t wearing a Stupid nightgown. I had a feeling that my flannel pants and t-shirt I just took off wouldn’t work either. That was dumb. They were like pajamas so why wouldn’t they work? They just wouldn’t, I could feel it. “JACOBUS!!!!” I screamed in my mind. This sucks.

Getting dressed again I peeked my head out of my room. Alex was still sitting in front of the computer working on something and looked over after hearing my door slide open.

“Everything alright Sasha?”

“Umm, sorry to ask Uncle Alex, but can I borrow one of your shirts again? I forgot to buy some sleepwear (no way was I going to say nightgowns right now. Sorry, not happening).”

“Ah, That’s fine. Let me grab you one. I guess I should start making a list of what we still need to buy tomorrow. Hmm. We should probably get you a couple of hoodies and a good coat as well. It’s going to start getting cold soon.”

“…” My mind blanked for a second…

“Uncle Alex?”

“What’s up?”

“Can I have one of your hoodies?”

“…” Alex just raised one of his eyebrows at that.

“Sorry, That just sounds really comfy. You don’t have to. A t-shirt will work.” For some reason, a hoodie really did sound perfect. I could live with that for now and deal with the nightgown situation later.

“It’s Ok. That just… You know it would be even bigger on you than one of my t-shirts right?”

“Mm-hmm. I do. It just sounds really comfy.”

“That’s fine. I just bought a new one not too long ago. Let me go grab it.”

Awesome. I remember buying that one too. I was planning on using it with the “casual but nice” clothes and it was super soft. Hey, a guy can like soft things too you know.

Alex handed me the hoodie and I thanked him again while slipping back into my room. Taking my clothes off and folding them I slipped the hoodie over my head and giggled at the feeling of the soft fabric against my skin. (Not going there. I can’t explain it so I’m going to ignore it. Yep, just ignore it. Let’s agree to ignore that whole conversation while we’re at it. Good? Good.)

Getting back in bed I was asleep before my head even hit the pillow.