Chapter 3

Wednesday, October 13th, 1982

Hill Valley

3: 32 P. M.

As the days went by, Marty and Doc started to form a real relationship. Doc regularly helped Marty with his homework, giving the kid a fresh start in science class. Marty helped Doc with his inventions, handing him tools and occasionally helping him wire things together and other mechanical work. One of their favorite activities were to jam together on guitar and sax, playing along to "Night Train" and "Johnny B. Goode". But, mostly, they just talked and shared each other's company. Doc was rapidly becoming the confident father figure Marty had never had, and Marty was just as rapidly becoming the son Doc had always wanted. The time passed quickly and pleasantly.

This day, however, was chosen to be memorable to the pair. Marty came in later than usual, looking depressed. Doc immediately sensed Marty's mood and looked up from the electronics work he was doing. "Marty?" he asked in concern.

Marty didn't even give him a glance. He had had an extremely rough day. His mother was being rather cool towards him because of his job at Doc's. As a result, when he was late this morning and rushing out the door, she had allowed him to leave without breakfast. Even though it gave him extra time to get to school, the teen missed the gesture.

He had arrived at school late as usual. His first-period teacher, a man after Strickland's heart, had given him a severe tongue-lashing in front of the entire class! Then, for the next class, it turned out he had done the wrong homework. The teacher gave him a dirty look. Science was boring as usual, but lunch was a disaster. Nobody except the band wouldn't sit anywhere near him. It was like he was contaminated by Doc's invisible presence. Then, during 5th period, he had needed to go to the bathroom, but he couldn't find the one on the first floor. He had stopped to ask Mr. Strickland for directions, but he had managed to accidentally catch him drinking in his office. A very upset Strickland had given him detention and a very long lecture. And in detention, there had been all sorts of whispering and teasing about his new friendship with Doc. Basically, it had been one of those days you wish had stayed in bed.

Doc frowned. "Marty? What's wrong?"

Marty glanced at him. "Nothing's wrong," he said, looking at his sneakers. He didn't want to tell Doc about getting teased for being his friend.

"Something is," Doc pressed. "I've never seen you this sad."

"I don't want to talk about it."

Doc got up from his wiring and went over to where Marty was sitting on the bed. "Sure? I'd be willing to listen."

Marty just moved away from him. The depressed look on his face made Doc want to cheer him up. But he couldn't do that without knowing all the facts. He sat down next to the teen, causing Marty to shoot him an annoyed look. He just wanted to be left alone. Why wouldn't Doc do that? "Look, I said I don't want to talk about it!"

Doc had no idea why he did what he did next. It just seemed the natural thing to do for a hurting kid.

He pulled Marty into a hug.

He felt the teen stiffen in his embrace. "Damn, I shouldn't have done that. I know Marty's personality structure. He's not exactly the type to appreciate a hug, what with a slightly 'macho' side. Maybe for him, a hug from another man would be an invitation to slug said other man. I should cut my losses." Embarrassed, he started to pull away.

Without warning, Marty reciprocated, pulling Doc very close. His face buried itself in Doc's chest. Doc wasn't sure how to react for a moment. Then he felt the fabric of his shirt grow damp. Automatically he started rubbing Marty's back, letting the teen get it out of his system.

As he finished his brief crying jag, Marty blushed. When Doc had first swept him into the hug, he'd had no idea what to do. None of his other friends had ever hugged him. It was rare for him to get a hug even from his dad. For a moment, he had considered pushing Doc gently away. Then all the events of the day had completely caught up to him, and being in Doc's arms had seemed like the perfect place to be. He had no idea where the waterworks had come from, though. He glanced up at Doc, wondering about the older man's reaction.

The scientist gave him a friendly pat on the back. "It's okay. I've had days like these. Are you willing to talk about it now?"

Marty gave in and spilled. Doc frowned as he listened. "I certainly don't want to be responsible for your mother and your friends ignoring you." He sighed noisily. "It seems everything I get close to get's contaminated by my unique form of bad luck."

"I don't mind about the other kids, Doc," Marty assured his friend. "The band stuck with me. It's their loss. You're a really great guy."

"I appreciate that, but your own mother. . . ."

"She'll start talking to me again. It's not the first time she's gone kinda cold toward one of us. A lot of time she'll go cool if one of us complains about her drinking. On a bad day, she can get drunk pretty fast."

"What about your father? Doesn't he say anything? He hasn't stopped talking to you too?"

Marty snorted. "My dad? He hates to argue with anybody. People walk all over him all the time. His supervisor, Biff Tannen, is the worst. He's a no-talent jackass who makes Dad do all his work."

"I remember Biff from his teenage years," Doc nodded. "Was he that obnoxious voice I heard the day I generated your employment towards me?"

"That's the guy, Doc. He said only a McFly would want to work for you." Marty sighed. "They're my family, Doc, but they drive me nuts!"

"I can understand. I had family troubles myself." Doc patted him on the shoulder. "Listen, Marty, if you ever need to talk to someone, I'll always be there for you."

Marty smiled at him. "Thanks Doc. You wanna play some tunes?"

Wednesday, October 13th

6: 35 P. M.

Doc glanced at his wrist watches. "It's getting late, kid. You'd better get home before your mother serves dinner."

Marty nodded and picked up his skateboard. He looked over at Doc. "Hey, Doc, do you want to come over?"

Doc didn't quite understand. "Do you want me to drive you? I will if you want a ride."

Marty shook his head. "For dinner, Doc. I can't do anything about the kids, and I don't care about them that much. But I want my family to get to know you at least."

Doc got a little nervous. "Marty, are you sure that's such a good idea? Your parents and siblings seem set in their conviction I'm a dangerous lunatic."

"Hey, if you want Mom to start talking to me again, this is the best way to do it." Marty grinned at him reassuringly. "Don't worry, Doc. Just say the right stuff and they'll get to like you. I did, right?"

Doc smiled crookedly back. "You might be the exception that proves the rule, Marty. But you're right. I'm the cause of your family troubles, I should do everything in my power to mitigate them." He got up and made his way over to his van. Marty followed him in and together they drove to Marty's home, Marty giving Doc a few general instructions.

They arrived at 7: 00. Doc took a deep calming breath. "Okay. Let's get this over with."

"Doc, you're making it sound like you're on death row," Marty complained.

"I may not seem to care what other people think of me, Marty, but being rejected hurts me like any normal person."

"It'll be okay, Doc. Just don't go off on any scientific stuff." He opened the door. "Mom, Dad, I brought a friend home for dinner."

Lorraine came out of the kitchen. She frowned when she saw Doc. "You brought him for dinner?" she said disapprovingly.

"I wanted you to get to know him," Marty shrugged.

Doc smiled. "Good evening, Mrs. McFly. How are you?"

"I'm all right," Lorraine said, figuring it would cost her nothing to be polite. "How are you, Dr. Brown?"

"I'm well."

Linda and Dave walked in, Linda with her hair in curlers, Dave in the same shirt he'd worn for 3 days. They both did a double take upon seeing Doc. "Why is he here, Mom?" Linda whined.

"Your brother invited him for dinner," Lorraine explained. "Which is almost ready, so come to the table." She walked towards the back of the house. "George! Come in here and eat!"

George emerged from the back rooms, carrying a stack of forms he was filling out. Without looking up he took his seat at the foot of the table and continued filling out the forms. Dave and Linda dropped into a pair of seats, still looking suspiciously at Doc. Marty pulled up a chair for Doc and sat down next to him. Doc sat down, hoping this hadn't been a mistake.

Lorraine emerged from the back with plates of limp spaghetti. She handed them out and got a bowl of store-bought sauce, some mixed vegetables, and some boxes of Girl Scout Cookies. Doc wisely kept his mouth shut about the meal and started eating.

Midway through, George looked up and noticed Doc. "Oh, hello, Dr. Brown. I didn't see you come in."

"Marty invited me for dinner. Is that something for work?"

George nodded. "My supervisor wants them for his meeting with a client Friday. He's too busy to do them himself."

Doc seriously doubted that, but decided not to get into that. He looked at Lorraine, who was devouring her spaghetti with gusto. "Mrs. McFly?"

Lorraine looked up at him. "Yes?"

"I would like to say something. I-"

Doc paused. What did he want to say? He didn't want to imply that George and Lorraine were bad parents. He knew they were doing the best they could. And he didn't want to worsen relationships between anyone. He just wanted to say that he didn't want Lorraine to be so cold to Marty. But how could he say that? "Never mind. It wouldn't come out right."

"What wouldn't? If you're going to say something, say it?"

"Marty told me about your attitude ever since he started working for me." Marty nudged him, but Doc pressed on. "It's okay, Marty. I never meant to strain family relationships." "I sound pathetic. Simply pathetic."

Lorraine seemed confused. "I don't understand, Dr. Brown."

"Quite simply, I don't really care what people think about me, but I do care what they think about my friends. I don't want you to stop speaking to your son just because of me." He blushed. "I shouldn't have said anything."

Lorraine's expression softened. "You really care about Marty, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. He's a wonderful assistant and a very good friend." Doc patted Marty in a friendly way. "I'm sure your other children are just as agreeable."

The ice was broken. The rest of the family started to warm to Doc a bit. They talked a little about general subjects, and Doc showed himself to be pretty normal in all his responses. By the end of dinner, the McFlys had decided Doc was okay. "Come back again sometime," Lorraine said, shaking Doc's hand as he prepared to leave, her attitude towards him much improved.

"I will. Thank you for a wonderful dinner."

Marty grinned at him. "See, Doc? I knew once they got to know you, they'd like you. I'll see ya tomorrow, Doc."

"Goodbye." Doc went back to his van with a smile. It was funny how things worked out sometimes.