Destiny
Uncle Rico was so pleased that the coach put #64 in the game. Number 64 held the ball and then threw it fifty yards to a player standing at the goal post. He caught it and a touchdown was made. The crowd roared with delight.
"Yes," Uncle Rico yelled. "We're ahead!"
The game was 21 to 14, and it was the other team's ball. A few minutes later they made another touchdown tying the game. The time was winding down and Preston High needed another touchdown. Number 64 had the ball with thirty seconds to go in the game. He looked to see who was open and threw the ball, but someone on the other team caught it. He ran and ran until he reached the other side of the field. Then after the kick the score was 21 to 28. The other team had won and everyone on the bleachers was disappointed.
'No,' thought Uncle Rico. 'We were supposed to win. I was supposed to make us the champs.' People started to leave, but Uncle Rico stayed where he was. He heard the two girls talking again.
"I can't believe he did that. Did you see that Tammy? He threw the ball to the other team!"
"No he didn't. He tried to throw it to Joe, but a person from the other team jumped up and grabbed it. It's not his fault."
"Whatever Tammy, you believe what you want." Uncle Rico's spirits lifted after he heard Tammy defend him. He watched them go along with everyone else.
It was a few minutes before Uncle Rico was completely alone in the dark. He walked onto the field with the Time Traveling Kit in hand. When he reached the center he put the luggage down, opened it, and got the things out. He set the little T.V. to 'May 3, 2005' and said, "Send me to Napoleon Dynamite's backyard". Then he got caught in a daze again staring at the screen.
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After a minute Uncle Rico's daze was lost and he was standing just a few feet from Tina. He went inside the house and found Kip and Napoleon watching a game show.
"Did it work Uncle Rico," asked Napoleon.
"Yeah, it did."
"Did you change anything?"
"No, nothing changed."
"What? Then why'd you go?"
"Why do you go to your FFA meetings Napoleon?"
"Because I feel like it. Gosh!"
"Yeah, so leave me the heck alone."
"Fine."
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The next day Uncle Rico and Kip went down to 'Big J's' to eat. Kip only got a shake as usual, but his uncle changed and got a hamburger with his onion rings and shake. Kip watched him eat.
"Why'd you get all that food," Kip asked him.
"I feel really hungry." They were quiet for awhile.
"So, did you really time travel to '82?"
"Yes."
"Well, what happened?"
"I went back to the game, you know, the football championship game. I convinced the coach to put me in, but we still lost the game."
"Oh, I'm sorry for that."
"Yeah, and last night I started thinking that, maybe it was destiny to lose the game, you know. It's like, maybe we weren't meant to be the state champs. It was all fate. There's no escaping destiny." Kip just looked down at his cup while Uncle Rico continued eating. "I was also thinking," he said suddenly, "about Tammy. She was at the game cheering me on even though I let her down. I'm pretty sure she's my soul mate. I shouldn't have broken up with her."
"Well, why don't you call and make up with her."
"Yeah, I will." Uncle Rico got up and went to a payphone. He fished in his pockets for some change and finally got fifty cents to call Tammy. When she answered the phone Uncle Rico spoke softly. "Tammy, I'm sorry for breaking up with you. I'm a changed man now. I'm not living in '82 anymore." He heard a soft sigh on the other end of the line.
"Ok tío Rico, I'll take you back. Later on tonight I'll go to Napoleon's house and we can go to the bowling alley." They both hung up and he returned to the table with Kip.
"Did she take you back Uncle Rico?"
"Heck yes!"
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Tammy went over to the house to meet Uncle Rico later that night. He had to go to the bathroom so Tammy sat on the couch waiting for him. Napoleon came out of his room to get a drink and saw Tammy there.
"Who're you," Napoleon asked.
"I'm Tammy."
"Oh, yeah. I thought Uncle Rico broke up with you."
"We were separated for awhile, but now we're back together again." When Uncle Rico came back she threw her arms around him and pecked his lips. They left hand in hand and got into Uncle Rico's Dodge Sanbana.
Napoleon sighed. "Lucky."
Fin