The Dandelion Girl

"Day before yesterday I saw a rabbit, and yesterday a deer, and today, you."

A short story by American sci-fi writer Robert F. Young.

The story is set in 1961, the year it was published. On vacation alone in the woods, Mark, a married middle-aged lawyer, encounters Julie, a woman in her early twenties who claims to be a time-traveler from 240 years in the future. Although Mark doesn't believe her story at first, he becomes fascinated with the mysterious young lady and they quickly fall in love, despite Mark's misgivings about being unfaithful to his wife.

To say much more at this point would be to head into spoiler territory, so we recommend you go and read it for yourself. Bring a hanky.

Has a freeware Visual Novel adaptation which an be downloaded here.

As noted on their respective entries, this story was part of the inspiration for RahXephon, and got a Shout-Out in Clannad and Portal 2.

Most definitely Needs More Love.

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Provides examples of:

• Arc Words: See page quote.
• Born in the Wrong Century: Julie travels back to The Sixties in order to enjoy nature for a while, rather than the urban sprawl it will become in 240 years.
• Chekhov's Gun: Anne's fear of having her picture taken.
• Hair of Gold: As the title suggests.
• Happily Married: Mark and Anne, until Mark falls for Julie.
• Happy Ending
• May-December Romance: Mark and Julie. At the time the story takes place, at least.
• Ms. Imagination: Mark's first impression of Julie. He finds it quite endearing.
• Mohs Scale of Sci Fi Hardness: About as soft as they come.
• No New Fashions in the Future: Mark even thinks that Julie's dress looks a little old-fashioned in this time period.
• Stable Time Loop: Julie's father's theory of how time works.
• The Reveal: Anne is Julie.
• Time Police
• Time Travel
• Time Travel Romance
• Two-Person Love Triangle