CHAPTER THREE – THE LETTER
Laura stood at the kitchen counter. One of Marty's demo tapes blasted in the background as Laura rocked back in forth her bare feet on the concrete floor, her hips hugged by leggings and her torso draped in a long off the shoulder t-shirt.
Laura was dating Marty for less than a month when she had decided to give up her rental and move in to the lab. There was something about living there with Marty that seemed to bring them all a little closer to the elusive Doc Brown. Over the course of the first month Laura had felt inspired to paint again, Marty got back together with his band who were producing demo tapes, and even the night terrors had all but calmed themselves into submission. Marty started to develop a healthy glow to his skin and the bags disappeared from his eyes. He smiled again, and when he would come home and smile Laura felt as though she could burst inside. The fall came, and Marty still had not enrolled in a college. While Laura loved having Marty around all the time she still worried about his future, however she would never push him. He will come around in his own time she had hoped. In the meantime she financially supported them both, she had all the money a person could need, but until now she didn't realize what she was missing, a Marty McFly and he was priceless.
Laura danced as she chopped peppers for her fajitas. Marty came in the side door and slipped up behind her. He placed his hands on her hips and danced with her kissing the nape of her neck.
"Must you listen to this?" he smiled secretly proud of his work.
"It inspires me."
"Hmm and you inspire me," he murmured in her hair.
"Shew! Go on you! I am making dinner, scat!"
"Did you get the mail?"
"Yes darling it's over there," she said pointing to a stack on the table.
Marty walked over and started sorting through the envelopes.
"I am wondering what we should do with my condo in New York, it is looking like I won't be returning any time soon, not that I am complaining, and well the extra cash renting it out could be nice," Laura rambled mindlessly, "hey Marty, don't forget tomorrow is the 26th, my birthday, we have a reservation at eight at La Valle's. Little bubbly, little surf and turf…"
"Laura?"
"Doesn't it sound great?
"Laura?"
"Unless you have decided on something else?"
"Laura are you listening to me?"
"Yes honey," she turned and smiled.
"Did you see this mail?"
"Oh you know me, I have no patience for mail, just tell me how much the water bill is and I'll pay it," she smiled again turning back to the food on the stove.
"It's not a utility bill."
"Oh?" she said turning around.
"We might want to cancel that dinner reservation."
"What are you on about?"
"You better come here."
Laura wiped her hands on a towel and walked carefully over to Marty.
"You look like you have seen a ghost Marty, what is this all about?"
Marty handed her the opened letter.
October 26th, 1986
1:15 AM
Lone Pine Mall
Be There
"Is this a joke?" she asked.
"I don't know how it could be, you and I are the only ones who know the truth."
"Well you and I and Jennifer Parker."
"Jennifer has convinced herself none of this happened."
"Do you think it is the Doc?"
"It might be."
"And on my birthday," Laura smiled, "Oh Doc, so you've finally come home to us." Laura clutched the letter tightly.
Marty stood staring out of one of the small windows. He felt conflicted. Why did Doc have to come now, after he found Laura and things were so good, why now? He looked at his beautiful girlfriend all full of hope and smiles. He loved her, and he would do anything for her to ensure her happiness.
"Don't you think this is all a little strange?" Marty sighed.
"Strange how?"
"Your birthday falling the same day as my travel date?"
"No different than Biff choosing November 12th, 1955, you know I have worked in my spare time to see if there is a correlation but I just can't figure it out. Can't wait to see if there is a significance to October 21, 2015!" Laura said holding the letter reading it again and again.
Marty stepped back to where their coats hung by the door. He fiddled in the pocket until he found a box having been purchased while he was in town. He cupped the box in his palm and glanced towards his distracted girlfriend as she still chattered away.
"All these months of waiting and now he finally arrives, we should have known it would be tomorrow, it is all so obvious now that I can see it clearly."
"Laura I need to talk to you about something rather important."
"What is it Marty?" she turned her face beaming.
"I love you."
"Well I love you too!" she said leaning in to give him a kiss.
"No," he said pushing her away, "I more than love you, and now that we have found Doc where does that leave us? How long until you are ready to go back to New York?"
"Back to New York? What makes you say such things?"
"You don't have a life here, I mean apart from me?"
"Marty haven't you been listening to anything I have said, I was asking how would you feel if I sold my condo in New York, or rented it or whatever, my life is here with you."
"So you're not going back?"
"Not unless you are kicking me out?"
"Kick you out?" Marty said dramatically, "I am never going to let you leave!"
Marty scooped Laura up in his arms leaving the box in his coat pocket. Marty nuzzled Laura's neck as he placed her gently on the bed looking into her blue eyes. They would have beautiful children he imagined as he kissed her. She laughed and giggled at his responses before batting him off of her at the smell of burning fajitas.
