"I don't care! No one can steal you from me this way."
"Steal me?"
"Vassi, why can't you touch me!"
"I'm not too sure. I think it's because you're alive. You see, life is a transient thing. Matter is continuous in one form or another. Matter existing today always existed and will always exist, or something like that. I didn't listen too carefully. Anyhow, it's possible for someone to travel back in time but not ahead. Do I make myself clear? It's out of my line, you know."
Julia reached down and scooped up Belle. "Can you touch her?"
"What is that?"
"My cat. Can you touch her?"
"A cat? My, the anatomists would love to see that! But it's the same as with you. My hand passes right through her."
Julia put Belle back on the floor. Her mind was racing.
Vassi said, "She's sitting right where I'm standing."