September 6, 1905
3:00 PM PDT

Verne felt a sense of deja vu, as he took a closer look at the bully. He actually bore a strong resemblance to his descendant, Douglas Needles - who quite used to pressure Marty into doing dangerous stunts. He remembered how Marty simply used to have a problem with other people thinking of him as a coward. It almost ruined Marty's life.

He then thought back to his childhood. He used to be real scared of Charlie, who was three years older than him. He simply thought of how his older brother, one day, had the courage to beat up Charlie. It was strange to think that it was twelve years ago.

"Oh, for heaven's sake!" shouted Abraham, as he stood up. "In case you just haven't noticed, Charlie... Well, we're all Doug's friends - and you cannot push him around. In fact, you and your minions are out-numbered. Just turn right around... and leave!"

"You're sure not the boss of me, Charlie," added Douglas, as he glared at the bully. "I can come in here, if I please. You should know, by now! I sure won't let those of your type push me around. I have just as much right to be here, as anyone else does. The others here can all attest to it, I'm sure. Why don't you just turn around, and leave?"

"Yeah, Charlie," agreed Linda, as she stood up. "Why don't you just leave my cousin alone? You can't waltz in here, and tell people to not come in here. In case you quite haven't noticed, nobody here takes you seriously. Just get out of here, right now!"

"Well, looky what we have here," sneered Charlie, as she grabbed at Linda. "C'mon, Linda, how about a kiss?" Verne was horrified, as he realized that the same guy who raped Tiff Tannen was harassing his girlfriend. "You know you really want it, Linda!"

"Get your filthy hands off of her!" snarled Verne, as he tried to pull Charlie away from Linda. "Just leave the girl alone! I quite won't stand to have you doing the same thing to Linda, as you've done to Tiffany Tannen! You are the biggest scum of the earth. It is only cowards who would impregnate a helpless girl, simply for their own pleasure!"

"How dare you?" snarled Charlie, as he pushed Linda to the ground. Verne really felt horrified, as Charlie added, "Hey, you must be Verne Brown! Yeah, I remember you! Your brother caused me to break my left arm. I'm quite gonna make you pay for it!"

"You've had it coming, Charlie," snapped Verne, as he began to help Linda up. Turning to her, he added, "Are you okay, Linda? Are you hurt?" As he really gazed into Linda's brown eyes, as he added, "I am not afraid to give it to him, if it should come to that!"

"All right, Charlie," called out the bartender, as he stormed over. "I think you've really caused enough trouble. Why don't you and your lackey leave this place. I'm really not afraid to involve the police. If I actually had my way, you would be hanged. It is quite shameful, Charlie, that low-life scum like you should even be allowed on the streets."

Verne simply smiled, as he watched Charlie's face turn white. While he realized that it was just wrong to wish death on anyone, he actually found himself agreeing with the bartender. After all, Charlie's actions ended up making Tiffany Tannen's life difficult.

"That was simply sweet of you, Verne," Linda whispered, as Charlie and his gang left the saloon. "You're a real brave person. There's a part of me, Verne, who would just love for Charlie Needles to fall into the ravine! There's nothing that I like about him."

"He really is a viper," agreed Sarah. "I mean, he really seems to have no consideration for anyone else - especially women. You can't really blame him, though. His father was just as dreadful, after all. I'm actually concerned about what it could mean, in fact, for Tiff's children. My heart really goes out to them. When you just think of Tiff herself..."

"Enough about Charlie," suggested Teddy, as he glanced around the saloon. "We will not let him ruin our day. I was thinking that we could head to the roller rink. This Friday would be a good idea. Charlie isn't allowed inside. I think we should be safe."

Verne felt quite happy, as it really seemed like a good idea. He was a little too used to rollerblades, though - which, of course, they didn't have in 1905. It still sounded like a fun idea, though. As he glanced at Linda, she also seemed to be thrilled by the idea.

"This is a good idea, Teddy," agreed Sarah, as her lips curved into a smile. "I really do think that it's a great way to spend Friday evenings. I can quite remember the day, in fact, when the roller rink opened up. Back then, I was just a little girl. It quite feels so strange. I was just six years old. Today, the roller rink is actually over ten years old."

oooooooooo

"So, Tiff," Steven asked, thoughfully, "do you think that you might quite consider the idea of, uh, adoption? There's nothing rather shameful about it. When my Aunt Clara really decided to give Jenn up for adoption... Well, she figured that it really was best for her daughter. She obviously loves her daughter, or else she wouldn't looked..."

"I don't know, Steve," Tiff replied, softly. "I mean, you do know what Mrs. Peabody is like. Of course, I'm not faulting Clara Parker... not in the slightest. I'm sure she rather had the best of intentions. She couldn't've just known that the Peabodys would've..."

Marty sighed, as he was real tempted to agree with Steven. Doing so, though, would be risky to the space-time continuum. He felt bad, though, when he saw how sad Tiff looked. He just felt so helpless, as he knew that there was nothing that he could do.

"It's up to you, Tiff," William commented, softly. "I understand that Mrs. Peabody isn't really the easiest person to get along with. I think it's simply wonderful, thinking about your children. Don't be afraid to turn to us, if you should ever need help. I think it just would be wonderful, though, if your children should really become friends with ours."

"I agree with Will," added Annette, as she took Tiff's hands into hers. "Don't pay any attention to what the judgemental types say. The thing is, you're a wonderful young women. You're my friend. I'm sure that pregnancy must really be tougher for you."

"You have a husband," Tiff pointed out, with a heavy sigh. "I rather do appreciate the support. I wish that I could..." Beginning to cry, she continued, "It's not fair! What did I do? Why did this happen to me? All my life, I tried to keep myself pure and chaste!"

"I'm sorry, Tiff," Annette replied, softly. "You didn't do anything wrong. You shouldn't feel like this was anything that you've done. I'm sorry that some people can be a little judgemental. I really wish that I could, uh, go back and change things. The past can't be changed, though. The only thing we can do, Tiff, is to look towards the future."

Marty blinked, as he thought over what Annette had said. It was a shame, of course, that the gorgeous blonde ended up being raped. Still, he realized that just preventing the rape from occurring could result in a major time paradox. This was a lost cause.

"My wife is absolutely correct," William added, softly. Turning to Marty, he asked, "So, Michael, what's on your mind. I quite notice that you've been quiet. Why don't you tell us about your life? I think that we should discuss things that are a little more happy."

"I feel very bad for Tiff, though," Marty commented, as he swallowed. "You and your wife are right, though. The thing is, we really should count our blessings. I'm so sorry that Charlie Needles did something, of course, that was so despicable. I think that it'll be a good idea, though, to remind her of the pleasures of life. We all could really..."

"Michael simply has a point," agreed Otis, smiling. "I think she's still real sore, though, from some of the things that my mother has said. I don't quite mean to badmouth my mother, of course. After all, we're supposed to honour our parents. I still feel so..."

"I understand that you love your mother," Tiff commented, tearfully. "I sure wouldn't dream of asking you to, uh, stop spending time with her. I simply wish that she would be more understanding of me. The way that she puts me down, Otis. It's so hurtful!"

"I know, Tiff," murmured Otis. "She's real set in her ways, though. I've known her, for over twenty years. I don't quite think she's ever going to change. I've tried explaining to her about what exactly happened, and it's quite a lot like talking to a brick wall. The only thing that I can really tell you, Tiff, is to not take what she says too personally."

"But it is personal, Otis," countered Tiff, with a heavy sigh. "It's obvious that she doesn't like me, and it's painful. I sure can't stand having people not like me, Otis. The thing is, none of this is my fault. I can't stand having your mother dislike me so much!"

"Not everyone is going to like you, Tiff," William pointed out, softly. "It's just a fact of life. Not everyone likes me, either. I do understand just how sensitive you are. There are some things in life, though, that we really have to accept. Life isn't always fair."

"I have an idea," suggested Steven. "This Friday, I think we should head to the roller rink. I've always enjoyed rollerskating. I think even Tiff and Annette could join us. Of course, Charlie won't be allowed inside the building. It really seems as if it was almost yesterday. Back then, I wasn't even ten. It's just funny, in fact, how fast time flies."

"That really does sound like fun," agreed Tiff, as she managed a small smile. "I guess that you are never too old for rollerskating. I guess I rather do tend to be a little too sensitive. I just find that skating around the floor can really help to free your mind."

Marty felt pleased to see that Tiff was smiling. He loved to go rollerskating. Of course, rock music didn't exist in 1905. He figured that the experience would still be quite fun - and he's be hanging out with friends. He also quite hoped to see Tiff having some fun.