3:30 PM PST
Haven was at the McFly house again, babysitting little Marty and Marlene, as well as Harmony and Melody. Without saying anything, Haven had popped April Wine's Electric Jewels CD into the stereo. As soon as Weeping Widow started the play, the kids were all dancing around the living room.
'I love this music,' remarked Melody. 'Is this Led Zeppelin?'
'Nope,' Haven said, smiling. 'This is a band called April Wine.'
'I love April Wine, too,' Melody said, smiling.
'April Wine is a great band name,' chimed in Marlene.
'April Wine is almost as good as Led Zeppelin,' Harmony said, excitedly.
'Who is singing this song?' Marty Jr asked.
'Jim Clench is singing this song,' Haven said, cheerfully. 'Well, it's good to know that you kids like other bands besides Led Zeppelin.'
'Of course we do,' Harmony replied. 'Led Zeppelin is my favourite band, but that's not all I listen to.'
'Well, that's all you've been wanting to listen to, lately,' argued Haven.
'They just happen to be my favourite band,' Harmony said, somewhat defensively.
Just then, the next song, Just Like That, started blasting from the speakers.
'I love this song, too,' Melody said, cheerfully.
'Does Jim Clench sing this song, too?' asked Marty Jr.
'No, it's Myles Goodwyn singing this song,' Haven replied. 'He sings most of the songs by April Wine.'
'Myles Goodwyn is a great singer,' commented Marty Jr. He then started to air guitar to the song, as he banged his head in time to the beat.
Haven flopped down on the couch, and she watched the kids with a smile, as they were enjoying the music. Knowing how kids can be, she pretty much expected the kids to want to listen to nothing but April Wine for awhile. She wouldn't really mind, though. After all, April Wine had more albums to their catalogue.
oooooooooo
Two hours later, Big Marty and Jennifer had returned, with chicken fried rice and fortune cookies for everyone. Haven and the kids all loved Chinese food.
So, Haven,' Big Marty said, smiling, 'have the kids been behaving themselves?'
'Oh, they certainly have,' gushed Haven. 'The kids actually enjoyed listening to April Wine this afternoon. I'm so happy I was able to interest them into other music, besides just Led Zeppelin.'
'I'm glad they like April Wine, too,' Big Marty said, smiling. 'April Wine is a great band - and, unfortunately, somewhat underappreciated. Anyway, I bought chicken fried rice for everyone.'
'Are you guys all hungry?' Jennifer asked, smiling. 'I know you all love chicken fried rice.'
The kids all cheered, as they grabbed their places at the dining room table.
oooooooooo
Later on that evening, after Haven had returned home, Doc and Clara had returned.
'So, Haven, how was your weekend?' asked Doc.
'My weekend was great,' Haven said, cheerfully. 'I'm so happy that I was able to get the kids to like April Wine. I have nothing against Led Zeppelin - but I was getting a little tired of hearing them all the time.'
Then, with sudden realization, Doc asked, 'Say, have you used the time machine when we were gone?'
'Uh. yeah, I have,' Haven admitted, blushing. 'I wanted to see the birth of myself. It was something I had dreamed about for a long time. I just thought it would be a real fascinating experience.'
'Well, I guess I can't really be mad at you,' Doc said, smiling. 'From now on, though, please don't use the time machine without asking. It really is not a toy to be played with - and travelling into the past always carries the risk of creating a time paradox. Has anything changed, since you returned from 1986?'
'No, not that I can tell,' replied Haven. 'Everything still seems to be the same.'
'Well, you're lucky, then,' replied Doc. 'When Marty returned from his first time travel trip, his family was considerably different - and the name of the mall had changed. Of course, his life had changed for the mother, as he encouraged his father to stand up to Biff Tannen - but, the fact remains, anything you do in the past can drastically alter future events.'
'Yeah, I understand, Dad,' Haven said, blushing. 'I'm sorry that I didn't consult you first. I guess I was worried that you would say 'no'. I shouldn't have snuck around like that.'
'You do understand, Haven,' Doc asked, 'that whenever your mom or I say 'no', we always have a good reason for it, right? Have we ever said 'no' to you - without having a good reason for it?'
'Uh, no, I guess not,' replied Haven. 'I'm sorry about not trusting your judgement.'
'I know you are, honey,' Doc said, gently. 'Now come give Dad a hug.'
Haven and Doc then embraced for a few minutes.
'So how does it feel to be 18?' asked Clara, walking into room.
'Uh, not much different from being 17,' replied Haven. 'It's hard to believe that I'm legally an adult, now. I mean, I haven't even finished high school, yet. In some ways, I will miss being a child.'
'Don't worry, Haven,' Doc said, softly. 'It's not like your mom or I plan to kick you out of our house. You can stay here, until you feel comfortable enough to move out on your own. Just, whatever you do, do not ever lose that imaginative spark of yours. Being an adult does not mean that you have to become dull and uncreative. There is a reason that I've always been able to better relate to small children. that's why I chose to teach at an elementary school level, for awhile. I've always had a way to make classes fun, and the kids have always adored me.'
'Is that how you met Marty?' asked Haven.
'Uh, no,' replied Doc, 'I had retired from teaching a few years before that - so that I could have more time for my inventions. Had I been Marty's teacher - I would not have, with good conscious, felt right about singling Marty out for special treatment. I was always a firm believer in making everyone feel included - so I never believed in playing favourites. I still sometimes receive letters from my former students, telling me about how I've made a big different in their lives. It gives me the warm fuzzies, everytime. I don't let the negative comments from certain folks bring me down.'
'I would like to be a teacher, too,' commented Haven. 'I guess I would worry, though, that my students may not like me. I've always been real sensitive about not being liked.'
'I would not even be where I am right now,' explained Doc, 'had I been concerned about if other people like me or not. I understand that it hurts to be disliked - but you really can only live life for you. It's better to have a few friends who accept you for who you are - then to have many friends who like you because you live up to their standards of 'coolness'. I believe that true 'coolness' is just being yourself.'
'You're right, Dad,' Haven said, smiling - as she gave Doc another hug.
'You know, Haven,' Doc quipped, 'if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.'
Haven smiled. Her father's advice was so true.