Author's note: Lorraine is concerned, as Marty comes down with the chicken pox. This story takes place in the Lone Pine Timeline, and applies to most universes.

May 24, 1977
8:40 PM PDT

As Lorraine McFly glanced at her watch, she saw that it was ten minutes after Marty's bedtime. She walked into the living room, where her youngest child was drawing some pictures. To her horror, she noticed that there were red spots over the boy's body. It actually appeared as though her son had the chicken pox! She had to tend to him.

"Marty," Lorraine called out, as she walked over to her son. "I believe you're sick. It's a little after your bedtime, but I think we need to take a look at you. I think you have the chicken pox. Your father isn't home, right now. I guess I should call Dr. Brown."

"I have the... chicken pox?" Marty asked, stunned. "I feel real itchy. I've been feeling that way, all night." With a hint of a smile, he added, "I guess this means that I simply won't be able to go to school, for some time? How long does the chicken pox last?"

"Well, Marty," Lorraine replied, as she chuckled by how her son was trying to hide his eagerness about not having to go school. "As the school year is almost over, I simply think that you'll be able to start your summer vacation quite early. You'll have to stay inside, though. You really don't want any of your friends to catch the chicken pox."

"Right, Mom," Marty replied, softly. With a hint of sadness, he asked, "Does this mean that I won't be able to, uh, play outside? What will I, uh..." He grabbed onto Lorraine, as he whimpered, "Do I have to spend the whole day in bed, Mommy? I really don't..."

"I understand that you simply don't like being in bed, honey," Lorraine commented, as she lifted up her son. "However, I think that it would really be best for you. You could listen to some music. You could read some books. I'll even feed you some ice cream."

Marty's face lit up, as Lorraine brought Marty into his bedroom. For some reason, her son seemed to be real vulnerable. It maybe had to do with the fact that he was quite short. Granted, he was a very cheerful and outgoing young boy. It was with ease, in fact, that Marty tended to make friends. Still, Marty really wasn't particularly strong.

"Why don't you change into your pajamas, honey?" suggested Lorraine, as she kissed her son's forehead. "I'll give Dr. Brown a call." She flipped on the radio, as she added, "Why don't you just listen to some music? Be sure to not scratch at the marks, okay?"

Marty nodded, as Lorraine left the room. She sure couldn't stand it, whenever any of her children were sick. Of course, she realized that it was a fact of life. It really didn't make things any easier, though. She picked up the phone, as she called Dr. Brown.

"This is Dr. Brown," a familiar masculine voice said, as he answered the phone. While some of the town's residents tended to have some rather unfavourable views of the scientist, Lorraine believed that he was a decent person. He was real fond of Marty, and he happened to be the uncle of Calvin Klein. "How might I be of service to you?"

"Hi, Dr. Brown," Lorraine replied, softly. "I'm calling you... about my son. I was about to tell him that it was time for bed, and I... Well, I do believe that he might be coming down with the... the chicken pox. My husband is working late, and I was simply..."

"You really need me to pick up some medicine, right?" Doc asked, with concern. "I'll be right over. Give me about, uh, ten minutes. Of course, I'm really not a medical kind of doctor. I'm sure that I could help you out, though. I would like Marty to be all right."

"Thank you so much," Lorraine replied, with relief. "I simply remember when Dave had the chicken pox, and he really passed it onto Linda. Marty was staying with Grandma, and we ended up extending that visit. Marty was quite happy about it, and... I guess I'll be seeing you, real shortly. I'd better get back to my son. I'll see you, very soon."

As Lorraine headed back to Marty's bedroom, her thoughts turned to Calvin Klein. Her son sort of reminded her of the mysterious teen. She really knew him for only a week, but she never forgot about him. It was maybe the whole connection with Dr. Brown.

"Honey," she called out, as she opened the bedroom door. Her son was already in his pajamas, and he was lying in bed. "I called up Dr. Brown. He'll be here, quite soon. In fact, he's going to swing by the pharmacy. He said that he should be here, shortly."

Lorraine pulled out the blanket, as she took a close look at her son's face. It actually made her feel a little sad, when she saw that her son's cute face was covered in red spots. She quite loved the way that her son looked, whenever he smiled. She gazed into his slate-blue eyes, as she simply admired the beauty. She sure had a cute son.

oooooooooo

In about a half-hour, the door bell rang. Lorraine felt relieved, as she went to answer the door. Marty was beginning to get a little irritable, as he was real itchy. She had to keep reminding him to not scratch, and he was upset by being told that he had to just put up with it. Lorraine sure couldn't blame the young boy. It had to be real irritating.

"How's Marty doing?" Dr. Brown asked, as he stepped inside. "I presume that he must be itching all over." Lorraine just nodded. "Well, this calamine lotion should simply help to relieve the itching. From what I was told, you might be up for most of the night."

"I do understand that," Lorraine replied, as they began to walk to Marty's room. "As a mother, it's to be expected. Being a mother is a very rewarding experience, but it can also be rather exhausting. My husband, at least, isn't pressuring me to get a job."

"You two sure seem to have a wonderful marriage," commented Dr. Brown, as his face simply broke out into a smile. Upon entering Marty's room, he added, "Hi, Marty! Relief is on the way." Turning to Lorraine, he added, "If you'd quite like me to... Well, I could spend some of tomorrow with him. It's best for him to not leave the house, and I'm..."

"I'm sure he'd love that," Lorraine replied, as she began to apply the calamine lotion to the spots on Marty's body. To her son, she added, "This should ease the itchiness. It'll help you out. I can't leave this in your room. If the itchiness comes back, though..."

"Just try to get some rest, Marty," Dr. Brown suggested, as he placed his hand on the young boy's forehead. "I'm not going to be too busy. I could just come over here, and we can visit. I could even bring my saxophone over, if you'd like. How's that sound?"

"I'd love that, Doc," replied Marty, softly. "Thank you so much. I can't stand not being able to scratch, whenever I itch. It just feels too uncomfortable. This is just the pits. I was sure happy about not having to go to school, but it'll..." Turning to his mother, he asked, "I'm not going to die, am I? I want to grow up. I want to get married, and..."

"Oh, you're not going to die," Lorraine replied, as she held Marty's hands into hers. "It will really be okay, honey. Tomorrow morning, I could give you an oatmeal bath." As a look of confusion spread across Marty's face, she added, "It'll be soothing, sweetie."

"I'm sure you'll enjoy it, Marty," agreed Dr. Brown, softly. "I picked up some lavender buds, and ylang-ylang's essential oil. It'll give off a very lovely scent. I find that quite helps to make me feel relaxed. The oatmeal would simply be placed in a little bag."

"It goes in the back of the bathtub," added Lorraine, "away from the running water. I can also place some scented candles in the bathroom, and we can put on some pretty relaxing music. You'll just have something to look forward to." She tucked Marty in, as she added, "Go get some rest, honey. You have absolutely nothing to worry about."

Lorraine kissed Marty's forehead, as she and Dr. Brown left the room. She sure hoped that her son would have a good rest. She thought of Dave and Linda, and she figured that it was a good thing that they'd have no risk of catching the disease from Marty.

"It's a real shame to see Marty so sick," commented Dr. Brown, shaking his head. "Of course, though, he'll be fine. I must say, your son quite brings out the kid in me. I do remember being his age... I sure miss my mother. She was always so gentle, and..."

"That's good to hear," Lorraine replied, softly. "I mean, it's not good that he's dead - but... My mother was very affectionate, too. Not my father, so much. I do miss him, though. I'm confident that he loved all of us. He just wasn't too good at showing it. I think... When I found out that he died, I just felt real sad. I sure felt as though I..."

"I understand," whispered Dr. Brown. "At any rate, I suppose I should start heading back. Your son is just a very outgoing person, and spending time with him is rather a joy. It's so strange to think that, uh... that he'll be ending third grade a little early."

"I know that you used to teach third grade," commented Lorraine. "My husband just speaks fondly of you. When I was in third grade, we hadn't yet moved to Hill Valley. It's so strange, thinking of how the time has passed. I mean, Marty is almost nine."

"It's just been two years," pointed out Dr. Brown, sighing wistfully. "I remember how my heart sure went out to him. I mean, he was getting beaten up by boys who were almost twice his age. I sure never trusted Biff Tannen to wax my cars. I realize that, around your family, he acts real nice. Still, I tend to think that he's never changed."

"Well, I rather believe in forgiveness," replied Lorraine. "I wouldn't trust him to watch our children, but... Well, there is sort of the feeling of satisfation. It's nice to see him working for us, instead of the other way around. I'm really so proud of my husband."

As Doc nodded, Lorraine thought of the children. It really was obvious how George's influence had rubbed off on them. Lorraine smiled, as she thought of Marty. He sure was a confident young boy. She felt certain that his youngest son would be all right.