Disclaimer: I do not own Back to the Future.

June 19, 2016
6:20 PM PST

Marty Sr glanced across the table, as he smiled real warmly at his son. As today was Father's Day, Marty Jr decided to treat his father out at Perkin's. They both ordered beef French dip sandwiches and fries. Marty Sr was always quite amazed by how his son took after him, as Marty Jr had a strong desire to follow in his father's foosteps.

"Oh, Junior, I simply can't believe it," Marty Sr commented, wistfully. "You just turned eighteen, two days ago. Just tomorrow, I'll be turning 48. Of course, with all the time travel trips that we've taken, we both would actually be a little older. It's so scary."

"Actually, Dad," Marty Jr replied, softly, "it feels very good to be an adult. Granted, it's pretty scary - but it's also rather exciting. Y'know, I most certainly did enjoy that week. I mean, the week that you and I were in 1968 - and we acted just like twins."

"Well, son, I'm sure you would remember that week a little better than I do," Marty Sr replied, laughing. "I mean, that really would still be recent to you. For me, it was over thirty years ago. It's strange how time travel works. I must say, I'm proud of the way you've turned out. At any rate, I really do wish you and your band the best of luck."

Marty Jr smiled at his father, as the latter thought of how he gained rather moderate success as a rock star. He actually became as famous as his favourite musician, Huey Lewis - and he was sometimes hailed as being "the Michael J Fox of rock and roll".

"Thanks for your support," Marty Jr replied, softly. "Still, I sometimes feel insecure. I mean, what if they say that I'm really no good? What if they claim that I'm just riding on the coattails of your success? I don't know if I can take that kind of a rejection."

"Oh, honey," chided Marty Sr, "your music is definitely good - and I'm not saying that, just because I'm your father. I mean, I am also a musician - so I sure know what guitar talent is. You simply don't have to worry, Junior. You always will have my support, and I'm sure that others would feel the same. You're an awesome guitarist!"

"Thanks, Dad," gushed Marty Jr. "So, anyway, I think it's so nice that you now work as a disc jockey at KKHV. After all, you were what actually helped to make KKHV the 'most listened to radio station in the Hill Valley vicinity'. It's been about four years."

"I certainly try to do my best," laughed Marty Sr. "Of course, getting rid of Dave and Jerry's Morning Show also might've helped. People really love that they can tune into our station in the morning, and actually hear music. I really think more stations..."

"Yeah, morning zoo radio can go take a hike!" agreed Marty Jr. "I mean, I never quite understood how people could enjoy waking up to inane chatter - and, not to mention, how the morning show personalities laugh like hyenas. Of course, I sure have nothing against people laughing and being happy - but I really like to rock out in the morning."

"We sure don't need the chatter," replied Marty Sr, "but things like the weather, the news, and the traffic reports can be useful information. The commercials, of course, are essential. They do bring in the revenue needed to keep the station on the air."

"Yeah, it's really sort of like going to the doctor's office," explained Marty Jr, "in order to get your shots. They're simply not much fun, and they can even be a little painful - but they're necessary to being healthy. I sort of view commercials in the same light."

"Right, exactly," agreed Marty Sr. "Anyway, they are looking at getting my segment syndicated nationally. Even though, with the internet and satellite radio, it might not even be necessary. After all, international audiences are able to listen that way. It's quite strange, thinking of how much radio has evolved over the past decade or so."

"I remember being a little boy," recalled Marty Jr, "and how we didn't even have HD radio. Nowadays, HD radios are the only kind of radios that get sold. I'm guessing it was quite similar to what happened, after FM radio starting being more prominent."

"Well, when I was a little boy," explained Marty Sr, "I've seen quite a few radios that only had the AM band. I'm not sure if they were actually still being sold in stores." He sighed, as he added, "Gee, son, you're really starting to make me feel so... so old."

"I'm sorry, Dad," Marty Jr replied, softly. "Anyway, it's quite nice to be eating out with you. It's simply too bad that this was a leap year, or else your birthday would fall right on Father's Day. Well, at least, Father's Day did end up falling between our birthdays. I always thought it was so amazing, how my birthday came three days before yours."

"I remember finding out about that in 1968," replied Marty Sr. "I was just so shocked by that. It's sure felt strange to think that I actually found out about your birthdate, twelve years before you were born. It sure made it a little less of a surprise for us."

"I think you mean thirty years before I was born," teased Marty Jr. "Well, no, I knew what you meant. It's very awesome, Dad, thinking of just how well I get along with your teenage self. I suppose we do tend to have a rather unique relationship."

"Yeah, we do," agreed Marty Sr. "Y'know, I was quite thinking about how I still never told your grandparents who 'Calvin Klein' really was. As far as they know, Calvin was Doc's nephew, and he died back in 1986. It's a pretty long story, but I kind of think it really is... Well, I really do think they deserve to know - but I'm not real sure how..."

"Well, I'm not sure what to say," replied Marty Jr. "I mean, I suppose they'd simply be happy to know that 'Calvin Klein' isn't really dead - and I'm really would explain a lot of thing that... Well, I'm sure they do have more than a few questions, about what..."

"That is a real good point," agreed Marty Sr. "I remember how Seamus felt, when he thought that 'Clint Eastwood' was dead - and how relieved he was, to hear the truth about him. Still, I wonder if I might've... Well, what if I've actually waited too long?"

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that," suggested Marty Jr. "It looks like you're just about done with your fries. I almost could go for another sandwich, but I suppose I'd rather have dessert. I mean, I simply do like their mint shakes. Those are always very good, and they're even quite better than the mint shakes that they serve at McDonald's."

"Yeah, they are," agreed Marty Sr. "I still remember when this place only had shakes in three flavours. I would always order the strawberries shakes. I also quite love the chocolate chip chocolate shakes. As for tonight, though, I suppose I'll go with mint."

"They have a lot of great flavours," commented Marty Jr. "I think the orange shakes are also rather lovely. Well, since I got back from 1968, I really was thinking about if Harmony and I... Well, I'm almost think that... that we might really be more than..."

"You mean, you think you could really be in love?" asked Marty Sr. As his son nodded, he added, "Well, I'm not exactly sure what to say. I mean, you two always were best friends. I certainly wouldn't object, if you two did end up together - but I actually just think that... Well, I really don't want you to just be rushing into something like that."

The truth was, Marty Sr really did feel more than a little pleased with the prospect of his son ending up with Doc's granddaughter. If the two of them did end up together, he and his scientist friend would likely end up having some common descendants.

"Well, I see what you're saying," replied Marty Jr. "We haven't taken that step, yet - but I've been doing quite a lot of thinking about it. I was also thinking of how none of my relationships have lasted that long. I think I simply hadn't met the... I mean, I..."

"I see what you mean," replied Marty Sr. "Well, far be it from me to tell you who you should date. Either way, I'll do my best to support you. It's that, well, it's very scary to think that you're, uh... Well, legally an adult. Granted, you always will be my child. It's just that... Well, it just feels scary to think that I'm actually getting old."

"Oh, Dad," protested Marty Jr, "you'll never be old. I mean, you almost always have a very optimistic attitude - and you rather rock with the best of them. I also hear people call you on the time at KKHV - and the listeners will often guess that you're younger."

"Yeah, that simply makes me feel good," agreed Marty Sr. "Of course, nowadays, we also have rejuvination clinics - which can expand life spans very dramatically. I mean, Doc is still very much alive, well, and kicking - and he's actually about 105 years old."

"Very true," replied Marty Jr. "Of course, as far as the rest of the world is concerned, he's only 95 years old. I really wonder if he'll still be around in, say, 2046. It's strange to think of how so much could simply change in thirty years. On the other hand, there are other things that likely would never change - like the value of friends and family."

"So true," replied Marty Sr. "I've basically seen the entire history of Hill Valley, and a lot has changed. It's sure strange to think of how long the McFly lineage has existed here. Anyway, I won't force you to stay in Hill Valley - but I really do think that..."

"You don't have to worry, Dad," Marty Jr replied, smiling. "I mean, no matter how rich and famous I might become - I have no such plans to leave Hill Valley. I owe it to you. I owe it to Grandpa. I owe it to Great-great-great-grandpa Seamus. I owe you all."

Marty Sr's heart swelled with love for his son. While some things might be real unusual about his relationship with his son, other things were not so different at all. It just felt wonderful, knowing how much his children appreciated him. He really hated to think of how his life might be rather different, had he opted to race Douglas Needles in 1985.