March 23, 1895
1:00 PM PST
Verne smiled at his brother, as they sat on the wagon with their old friends. It just felt very wonderful to see everyone, again. He just loved the smell of the hay, as well. As William sat up front, Linda sat beside Verne. He thought of how pretty the girl was. Of course, glancing at Sarah, it seemed strange to that the girl was her grandmother.
"I don't know what it is about you, Verne," Linda commented, softly, "but I simply feel as though I, uh, like you. I mean, I like all of my friends - but, whenever I'm with you, I just feel as though... Well, it's kind of hard to explain - but I feel attracted to you."
"You mean, like a brother?" asked Sarah. "That's how I feel about Jules and Verne. It feels as if we're somehow, uh, related to Jules and Verne. I really do feel like there is something special about my relationship with them. I really can't think of what it is..."
"Well, no, not exactly," Linda replied, blushing. "I mean, well, you know your parents love each other? That's the, uh... Well, that's the kind of love I feel towards Verne. I just feel as if... Well, I feel as if I would like to marry Verne. I really don't know why I feel that way, but... Mommy would say that I'm too young to feel that way, but..."
"Gee, well..." Verne stammered, as he was taken aback by what Linda said. "I simply don't know what to day. I mean, you've always been a good friend to me - but I just don't... Well, it'd be so hard for us to be together. I mean, I... I don't belong here!"
"Uh, right," whispered Linda, embarrassed. "I guess you belong in San Francisco, with your family. I really don't know why I even mentioned it. I hope I didn't just scare you off. I mean, I would like for us to still be friends. Maybe it's just that I miss you."
"We all miss Jules and Verne," suggested Abraham, softly. "After all, they really were our friends - and it's nice that they came back to visit. I also really missed having Mrs. Brown teaching us. She could be pretty firm, when necessary - but she was also very nice. She knew how to make learning so fun, and she knew how to deal with bullies."
"You sure did give it to Charlie, Jules," Teddy added, laughing. "His father has been a bad influence on him. It would be rather nice, if Charlie could ever become productive to society. Unfortunately, though, some people never outgrow the need to bully..."
"Yeah, that is quite a real shame," Jules replied, sighing. "Of course, my parents have taught me not to resort to violence - but, when it comes to people like Charlie, it's just about the only way to get him to leave you alone. He's always been, uh, relentless."
"You can say that again," chimed in Verne, as he burst out laughing. "Unfortunately, we continue to deal with bullies - when we're in, uh, San Fransisco. You see, there is just this boy - who's name is Rajan. He really doesn't, uh, approve of our father - so he acts as if Jules and I are freaks. As a result, he and his gang always picks on us."
"Well, that just isn't right," Bruce replied, sighing. "Although, when you think about it, I do feel sorry for Charlie and his gang. After all, people who pick on others really are themselves insecure people. When Charlie grows up, I do see a lot of disaster."
As Jules and Verne turned to wink at each other, Verne realized that Bruce was quite right. Of course, he felt so bad for Tiffany Tannen - as he just knew the horrible fate that would befall her. Still, he knew that Charlie would end up being so unsuccessful.
oooooooooo
HG Wells smiled to himself - as he watched Caroline, Edith, and Abigail. He wondered what his children might be like, and pondered over whether he'd have them take any trips in the time machine. He simply realized that his great-great-grandchildren would likely be fom Amy's generation. He suddenly could help but just chuckle at the irony.
"I see that you really love our children," Seamus commented, chuckling. "It seems so strange to think that Will is almost ten years old. It almost seems like just yesterday, he was a tiny infant. Come to think of it, he sure does resemble Rhett... er, Marty."
"I guess it's just as well that you knew," Doc replied, as a smile tugged at his lips. "It is pretty strange, thinking that you know about our secret. Anyway, have you told your wife about any of us? To be honest, I feel a little scared to think of how she would..."
"I understand what you mean," Seamus replied, gently. "She really does tend to be superstitious. I really don't like keeping secrets from my wife, but I understand that this isn't a real ordinary thing." Turning to HG, he added, "Mr. Wells, you just wrote about a time machine? You know, after your book is published, I think I'll read it."
"Yeah, you should," replied Amy, as her face boke out into a smile. "I've quite been a fan of his books, long before I met him. He will become as well-known as Jules Verne, and both authors will influence the science fiction genre that will become so popular."
"You know, I often have thought about the future," Seamus replied, smiling. "I really would love to see what the future looks like, but I sure don't wish to impose. I rather must say, the very concept of time travel is confusing. I mean, with paradoxes..."
"I think our time machines work a little differently," suggested HG. "I really felt so bad about our inability to prevent Amy's friend from being brutally murdered. I was rather sad about it. I was able to stay in the future for a week, and the timeline really never changed. It's like... Well, it's like I was actually destined to return to the year 1893."
"I always did find that to really be interesting," replied Doc. "For the time machine that I invented, there's the 24-hour ripple effect. You sure can't stay in the future for over a day, until your future self fades from existence. Marty and I found out, last year."
"That sounds a little scary," whispered Seamus. "I must say, this is turning out to be a very eventful week for me. Of course, it feels quite good to know that Clint Eastwood is still alive. It also feels wonderful to know that I was actually influential in his life."
"It feels so strange to think that Clara and I have similar stories," commented Amy. "I wonder if we do have a common ancestor. I mean, I guess we all do - but it's strange to think of how much we resemble each other. It's almost a wonder that Clara did not just take over my life, after we swapped time periods. It really feel so, uh, queer."
HG placed his arm around his wife, as he really thought of how well she had managed to adjust to the past. He simply remembered how resistent she had been to the idea, but then changed her mind. He was very touched by how much Amy really loved her.
oooooooooo
Marty and Jennifer were at the Palace Saloon, as they were drinking raspberry cordial and eating mints. From what he really could recall, Gerald ended up being the principal of the Hill Valley High School - and he seemed to be quite as strict as his son would be. As for now, though, he seemed to be reasonably nice. It seemed to be rather ironic.
"I still remember the day that my father was shot," Gerald commented, sadly. "He was such a great man, and I really miss him. My ma wants me to become a marshall, like he was. I'm not sure if the police force is really my bag, though. I have other dreams."
"Well, I know how you dream of being a school superintendent," purred Mary, as she placed her arm around Gerald. "Y'know, Gerry, I am looking real forward to starting a family with you. We'll be quite firm with our kids, but we'll also be loving and gentle."
"Good for you," replied Larry, encouragingly. "I do hope that our children will become good friends, like we have. I sure hope to, one day, take ownership of the saloon. It may become a real fine legend of Hill Valley. I just don't have any intention of leaving the town. I have a good feeling that, a century from now, the town will become big."
Marty and Jennifer laughed, as they both knew that Larry's prediction was completely right. Marty used to take his hometown for granted - but, after spending over a week in 1955, he certainly had come to gain a much greater appreciation for Hill Valley.
"The three of us are so lucky," added Gerald. "When my father was younger, he had been real insecure - and it's strange to imagine him being that way. With a little bit of encouragement, though, he had grown to be more confident. I was proud of him."
"I'm so happy for you and Mary," replied Larry. "Gerry, if your father was still alive - I think he would also be happy. You were never one to give up, and you've simply kept your head high. I mean, I know that you haven't had a particularly easy life - but you really do a lot of confidence. I think you would make a great school superintendent."
"Well, thank you," Gerald replied, softly. "Of course, it rather does help to have great friends. I've learned a long time ago to never let myself be discouraged. I quite owe it to Hill Valley, as well as to my deceased father, to really make something of my life."
"I, uh, wish you luck," Marty replied, nervously. "I do understand the feeling of losing someone that you really love. I, uh, quite miss my brother. You know, Clint Eastwood - the one who dared to stand up to Buford Tannen. He was like, uh... a part of me."
"He was a very brave man," Gerald replied, awed. "I think it's so great that the town decided to rename the ravine in his honour. I don't remember him well, but he sure is the town's legend. The ironic thing is, he sure wasn't here for even a week. I believe he came here from Canada - but, within just a few days, he made a real difference."
"Hey, Strickland," called out a menacing voice. Marty turned around, and he saw the boy that he suspected to be Royal. He was flanked by three men, two of who simply looked a lot like Douglas Needles."I thought I done told you never to come in here!"
