September 12, 1997
1:00 PM PDT

Within the past week, Linda O'Shea - formerly Linda McFly - had managed to adjust so well to 1997. As she met Verne's friends, they were all quite warm and friendly to her. Still, she really felt nervous about attending school. She felt rather intimidated by how big the high school was. She was so used to a smaller school, with only a few rooms.

While, at first, she felt more than a little nervous - she came to appreciate the idea of wearing trousers, as a woman. She sure also came to enjoy the futuristic invention of television - known as TV, for short. In fact, she even came to really enjoy rock music.

She felt dismayed, of course, to discover that two major world wars had actually broken out - since the year that she left behind. In addition, there was really an issue with pollution. Still, she sure felt more than a little grateful for medical advancements.

She still felt a little uneasy of living in the same house as Verne - but, at least, the two of them had separate bedrooms. All in all, though, she really found many things about the future to be more convenient. For a hot day, for instance, she rather appreciated the air conditioner. There was a part of her, though, that missed her own time period.

"How are you doing, Linda?" Verne asked, as he stepped into the living room. "I'm just a little amazed, to be honest, by how much you came to enjoy rock and roll music. We really are happy about it, of course. It's just that... Well, I so wasn't sure if you'd..."

"Rock and roll music just makes me feel excited," Linda replied, smiling. "I also have an appreciation for swing, jazz, and blues - that most people our age probably don't care too much about. The one music style that I don't fancy, though, is rap. I just don't..."

"I don't like rap, either," Verne replied, laughing. "Marty should be here, real soon. He promised to swing by. It's rather a shame that he won't be sticking around. He's going to be performing here in town, tonight. Granted, I'm sure happy for him - and it's sure nice that he's able to live out his dream. Still, I sure miss him - when he's on the road."

"He really is a talented musician," commented Linda, awed. "I'm just looking forward to meeting him. I wonder if he's even going to remember me. Also, I simply wonder if Doc might let me go on more time travel trips. I'd love to visit the 1960s... and the 1970."

"Those are both nice decades," agreed Verne, nodding. "I can't promise you that Dad will say 'yes', though. I mean, time travel is quite something that you have to be very careful with. He did agree to letting us visit your folks, though... in just three years."

"Hey, Verne! Hey, Linda!" called out Jules, as he stepped into the living room. "I'm so excited. In one more week, Patti and I will be tying the knot. Man, this really will be a big day for us. So, Linda, what do you think of the year 1997? I imagine that you get a little homesick, at time. Still, what do you think of the technology that we have?"

"I'm really liking the TV," Linda replied, smiling, "and the video games. I really like how, in this time period, things are a bit easier. It's quite great to know that, as a woman, I have more rights. It feels nice to know that we even have the right to vote, in fact."

"Linda, how would you feel about being the maid of honour," suggested Jules, "when Patti and I get married. Verne is going to be the best man, so I think it'd would rather be appropriate for you to stand opposite him. Well, Linda, are you up for the idea?"

"Oh, Jules, I really would love that!" gushed Linda, excitedly. "Patti is quite a nice girl, in fact. It's just strange to think of how we aren't small children, any longer. I sure am looking very forward to the day that Verne and I tie the knot. I wish that I could bring my whole family here. Unfortunately, it looks as if Doc wouldn't be so keen on the..."

"Marty's here!" called out Haven, as she skipped into the living room. "I'm looking quite forward to going to his concert, this evening. It's just so weird to think of how, when I was born, he wasn't yet famous. He's always a real fun person to be around, in fact."

"I'm just looking forward to meeting him," Linda commented, enthusiastically. As far as Haven was concerned, she was just a huge Marty McFly fan. Haven really didn't know about her true origins. "I mean, I've listened to all of his... CDs. I sure love his music!"

"Yeah, I'm happy that our family is rather close to him," Haven replied. "Dad said that he first met Marty at the age of six. I wonder what he was like, as a small boy. I sure am curious as to what he was like. I'm guessing that he played the guitar, even then. Well..." Stepping out of the living room, she said, "Hey, Marty, there's a Linda here."

"Hey, Linda!" called out Marty, as he stepped into the living room. As Linda glanced at the rock star, she was amazed to see that he really looked older. Yet, he appeared to be in good shape. "It's sure great to see you, again! It's been a little over ten years."

"Hello, Marty," Linda replied, as he hugged the young man. "It simply feels strange to think that you're ten years older. From my perspective, it's been just about a week... Well, how are you doing? I must say, I really love your music. You're quite talented."

"Thank you so much," Marty replied, smiling. "It looks like you've managed to adjust to 1997, rather well. Since I've been discovered, I've actually been enjoying myself. I no longer go on too many time travel trips, as I don't quite have the time for them. I sure do miss going on those trips, in fact. It's strange to think of how much has changed."

"Well, Marty, I am happy for you," commented Linda. "During the week, since I moved here... I actually spent a lot of time listening to your music. I rather do hope that, one day, Verne's band becomes as successful. I mean, he's also a very talented musician."

"That he is," Marty agreed, indulgently. "I'm thinking of letting him do a duet with me, on my next album. I'll have to check with my agent, though - and see if he'll simply be fine with that. The one thing I don't fancy about my career: those pesky contracts!"

"Hello, Marty," called out Jennifer, as she stepping into the living room. She was also carrying baby Marlene. "It's simply great to see you. I wish I could bring Marly to the concert, but... Well, it's my understanding that you're sure not supposed to bring an infant to a rock concert. Besides, the loud noise sure wouldn't be good on her ears."

"I'm sure that my parents would be happy to watch Marly," suggested Marty. "In fact, it really looks as if they absolutely adore Marly. Granted, when Linda... my sister, that is... had Brent, they were the same way with him. You have got to hand it to them!"

"I can tell that Marly's simply happy to see you," cooed Jennifer, as she was bouncing the baby. "Doesn't she look adorable in this dress?" Marty nodded, as he grabbed the youngest member of the McFly family from her. "It's the dress my aunt gave to me."

"Aunt Paula, right?" Marty asked, smiling. "Marly sure does look adorable! I'm real glad that Verne went back in time, and was able to retrieve the dress. It rather seems as if he got more than what he bargained for." Turning to Linda, he added, "It's simply nice to have you here. I'm sure that you actually miss your folks. Still, I'm sure you also..."

"It's nice to be with Verne," Linda replied, smiling. "Yeah, in some ways, I do miss living in... my old time period. Sometimes, I wonder what my father thinks of me. It's be real cool, in fact, if I could find a box of letters from him. That would really make my day!"

"You really do seem to be fitting in, very well," commented Marty, indulgently. "Well, I guess tonight will be your very first concert. Very first rock concert, anyway. It's so flattering, in fact, to know that the first rock concert you attend is really for me!"

"Well, Marty, it's my pleasure," Linda replied, smiling. "I'm very nervous about starting school, though. I'm not used to schools being so... so big! I'm also simply worried about Rajan Unger. When I think of what actually happened to Tiff Tannen, I actually fear that the same thing might happen to me. Charlie Needles would also harass me."

"I wouldn't be that worried," Marty replied, softly. "Believe me, Linda! If Rajan tries to do anything to you... Well, I rather will see to it that some action is taken against him. Nowadays, in the eyes of the law, rape is something that's absolutely not tolerated."

"Marty's right, Linda," agreed Verne, as he placed his arm around Linda. "Well, I really have a feeling that it won't ever come to this. Rajan should know by now that I simply won't tolerate his crap! If he tries to hurt you, I'm really going to make him regret it!"

"That's great to hear," Linda replied, as she managed a small smile. "I still can't believe that Tiff simply turned out to be a crabby old granny. After all, I've always just known her to be a friendly and caring girl. Well, I guess the rape got to her - and then one of children turn out to to be a bully. At any rate, I'm really start to like this time period."

"It's almost like having a blast from the past," Jules commented, laughing. "Linda really has come to... If you just look at Linda, right now... Well, one would never guess that she's from the year 1905. In fact, it's become quite hard to get her off the computer!"

"I think we've managed to convert young Linda O'Shea," Verne replied, laughing. "So, Linda, how about playing some good old-fashioned Nintendo? We can even play some Super Mario Brothers. Perhaps, today, you'll even be able to rescue Princess Peach."

Linda laughed, as she followed Verne into his bedroom. The whole past week sure was one excitement after another. Everyday, she actually managed to discover something new. She quite hoped that, after starting school, she wouldn't have such a tough time fitting in with her peers. At any rate, her future certainly seemed to be looking bright.