This novel is the weaving together of three tales. The first, in the present, details the destruction of life and relationships through self-will. The second, thirty years in the future, outlines the pain arrogance forces on those close to our protagonist, Jonathan. The third occurs between times in an endless span of grey and smoke.Jonathan Walsh, the principle character, graduates with his PhD and receives a grant to begin his studies. Using questionable methods he perfects the process in lab rats. But temptation overcomes Jonathan, and he injects himself with the formula and travels thirty years into the future.But in his present time he begins to change. His personality is altered, his body weakened, and relationships crumble. His fiancée Maggie is heartbroken, his friends offended. After many trips Jonathan realizes the damage done to those he loved. But it's too late.Each time he travels, Jonathan's life force separates from his body, and creation is required to manufacture a new body for him in the future. One is the name of the replica created on Jonathan's first trip. On his return to the present, the created being remains in the nether world retaining a small portion of Jonathan's life, and lives as an animal.In the beginning, One is a beast and survives in a brutally empty world. He kills the other replicas and accumulates their knowledge and strength. His life changes when he meets the Man in the fog and smoke.On his last trip Jonathan crashes into a hard, gray wall, unable to return to his time. One attacks him but is stopped by the hand of his friend, the Man. Jonathan asks, "Who are you? What is your name? Are you the one in charge?"The Man answers, "I am."Jonathan has expended his life in a foolish quest. He will not return to his life. The Man comforts Jonathan as he dies in his arms. One is then sent to the present to repair the broken relationships Jonathan has left. The story is an allegory of the healing and redemption we receive from God's mercy and grace, and draws the conclusion that in our self-inflicted brokenness, we must be born again.
About the Author: Stephen T. Gerdel has been active in creative efforts for most of his life. He participated in plays, musicals, operas and concerts throughout his high school and college careers. Gerdel is an accomplished musician, humorist and writer published in nationally distributed periodicals, author of four works of fiction, and a veteran of more than thirty-five years in business in the financial services industry. Gerdel continues his work in financial services while writing, making music, working in his flower and vegetable gardens, and enjoying a full life he and his wife Jan share with their five children, sons- and daughters-in-law, and their fifteen grandchildren. Steve and Jan Gerdel live in Washington, Missouri.