This short story (9500 words) is one of the eight short stories from Book of Dreams Second Edition: Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction Short Stories and also appears as one of the short stories in Mindscapes: Ten Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction Short Stories (C) 2014 by Victor D. López.
Of the many crossroads we all face in life, some paths once taken have indelible effects that no amount of regret can ever undo. Words left unsaid, decisions made out of false assumptions, poor judgment or simple fear can with time and the benefit of hindsight become caustic memories that wear away hope and slowly erode our souls. But what if it were within our power to change our subjective past through the use of technology? Would any price be too high for a chance to exchange despair for the possibility of hope? Is it a supreme act of hubris or heroism to turn one's back on life and reality for a second chance?