Excerpt of Wake Up Little Susie by Nancy Fraser

Susan took a seat on a bench in the courtyard across from the University. "Come on, think," she scolded herself. "What could have possibly caused this to happen? And," she went on, "what happens if you don't wake up back in 2007 in the comfort of your room?"

"Hi there."

Susan looked up to see a young woman standing in front of her. Dressed in a long pencil–straight plaid skirt, sweater set, bobby sox and saddle shoes, she personified the 1950s image.

"Hello," Susan answered back.

"You new this semester? I haven't seen you around before."

"Actually," Susan told her honestly, "I've just recently arrived in ... uh ... Chicago."

"Really, I've never traveled anywhere, except to Joliet with my mom and Aunt Sissie."

Not waiting for an invitation, the girl plunked herself down on the bench next to Susan.

"My name's Debbie."

"Debbie?"

"Yeah, Debbie Phillips. What's yours?"

Susan's breath caught in her throat and it was a moment before she could answer. "Susan," she said simply.

"I absolutely adore the name Susan." Shifting her books in her lap, Debbie admitted, "If I ever get married and have a daughter, I'm going to name her Susan. Or Susie. You know, like that new song on the hit parade by those two brothers."

"Wake Up Little Susie," Susan supplied. "The Everly Brothers."

"Yeah, that's the one."

At that very moment, Susan realized two things. First, somehow she'd fallen into a time warp. This wasn't a dream but a stranger reality than any she could have ever imagined. And, second, she was sitting face–to–face with her own grandmother.