9:00 AM PST
On Monday, Martin was able to return to school. Martin was happy to be able to see all his friends, again. I wasn't happy about seeing Bart Needles and his buddies, though.
'Welcome back, Martin,' greeted Miss Barnes, warmly. 'I heard you twisted your ankle real badly. Are you feeling much better, now?'
'Aye, I'm much better now, thank you,' replied Martin, with a smile.
'You know, Martin,' added Miss Barnes, 'I know how you let people goad you into taking dangerous risks, because you don't like to be called a coward. You need to remember, though, how precious life is. Being alive is much more important than not being called a coward. Do you understand, Martin?'
'Aye, Miss Barnes,' replied Martin, as he went to sit down at his desk, next to James.
To Martin's surprise, Bart and his buddies had left him alone all day. Perhaps they felt a bit guilty and at least partially responsible for Martin getting hurt. Everyone else was happy to see that Martin had returned to school. One of the little girls, Laura, had even offered Martin a piece of her cake.
After school, Martin and Juniper had walked over to the McFly farm, carrying a bundle of clothing. They were planning to go swimming with their 'guardian angels'.
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'How was school, today?' asked Seamus, as Martin and Juniper walked in.
'Everything was great, Seamus,' replied Martin, cheerfully. 'Everyone was happy to see me return, and even Bart and his buddies left me alone.'
'I've brought some clothing along,' added Juniper. 'I thought that we could go down to the swimming hole, and go for a little swim.'
'I would love to go swimming!' exclaimed Marty. 'We could maybe also take a walk around the beach. I mean, it's such a nice day out.'
'That's such a lovely idea,' added Jennifer. 'I would love to go jump in the water for awhile.'
'Well, you children go have fun,' Seamus replied, with a smile. 'Just be careful out there, so that you don't drown.'
Juniper glanced over at Marty and Jennifer, and laughed, 'I'm pretty certain that our guardians angels will keep us from drowning.'
'Aye,' replied Seamus, 'just make sure that you're back here in a couple of hours. I'm making chicken and stuffing for supper tonight.'
'That sounds delicious!' exclaimed the Martins, simultaneously. Everyone else laughed.
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The four teens were walking over to the swimming hole. Marty and Jennifer were following Martin and Juniper. Both couple had their arms around each other.
'Whew, this water is cold,' commented Marty, as he stuck his foot into the water.
'You'll get used to it,' replied Martin, as he also began to wade into the water.
Jennifer and Juniper then followed the Martin into the water. Then, when everyone was up to their waists, they began to swim. Mischieviously, Martin reached out to tickle Marty's sides. Marty laughed.
'I see that you are ticklish,' said Martin, with a laugh.
'Yeah, I am,' replied Marty. Then he leaned out to tickle Martin. Martin also laughed.
Jennifer and Juniper looked at each other, wondering who they should tickle first. They opted for Marty. Juniper held onto Marty, while Martin and Jennifer had tickled him relentlessly. Marty was laughing pretty hard.
'Do you like being tickled?' Martin asked, with a smirk.
'Yeah,' replied Marty. 'Just don't tickle my feet. I can't stand to be tickled there.'
'Aye,' agreed Martin. 'I can't stand to be tickled their, either. I hate it.'
Jennifer and Juniper glanced at each other, both wishing that they could tickle the Martins on the soles of their feet, but knowing that they didn't dare.
'What? What is it?' demanded Marty. 'I see that look that you girls are exchanging.'
'I wish we could tickle the soles of your feet,' blurted out Juniper. Jennifer nodded in agreement.
'You girls wouldn't dare,' protested Marty, cringing. He still remembered the nightmare that he suffered last month, when Ms. Coleman had tickled the soles of his feet for over two hours. It was so unbearable. He has, since then, made it a point to never again be tardy for school.
Then Jennifer held onto Martin, while Marty and Juniper began to tickle him. Martin was laughing his head off. Then, after awhile, the four teens have just floated on their backs, and relaxed. It was such a nice feeling.
'How are you feeling, Martin?' asked Marty.
'I'm feeling relaxed,' replied Martin. 'I love being in the water. It's so relaxing.'
'So now you understand the value of life?' asked Marty.
'Aye,' replied Martin. 'This is so much fun. I would love to have many more opportunities to float in the water.'
'I'm so happy to hear that,' replied Marty, smiling. 'Just stand up for your own judgements, and you'll be fine.'
'I will, Michael,' replied Martin. Then he threw his arms around Juniper.
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'Did you children have fun?' Seamus asked, with a smile.
'Aye,' replied Martin. 'I've had so much fun. It's so relaxing to float in the water.'
Marty, Jennifer, and Juniper all nodded their heads in agreement.
'This smells delicious,' commented Marty. 'I love chicken and stuffing.'
'That's my favourite meal, too,' replied Martin.
'Dinner should be ready in about 15 minutes,' informed Seamus.
Martin then began to set the table.
'I really have learned to value life more,' commented Martin. 'Spending time floating in the water can do that to you. There really is so much to live for.'
Juniper threw her arms around Martin, and whispered, 'I am so happy to hear that, Martin. This means we'll have a future to look forward to.'
'Aye,' replied Seamus. 'You must remember, too, that living for today is important.'
'Learn from the past, plan for the future, and live for today,' quipped Marty.
'That's a great proverb, Michael,' remarked Seamus. ''That is also so true.'
'It's amazing how much you and Martin are alike,' Juniper told Marty. Marty just smiled.
The Martins then gazed at each other. It was sort of like looking in a mirror. They even had the same slate-blue eyes. Then the Martins smiled at each other. They even had the same smiles. Juniper and Jennifer looked at them, amazed. Then Marty threw his arms around Martin. Martin had reciprocated the hug.