6:00 PM PDT
Family Ties Universe
"Whee!" exclaimed Skippy. "We are having so much fun in the inner tube! I could stay in here for hours, you know?"
"Yeah, so could I," agreed Alex. "We are so relaxed. Sometimes I think it would be nice if we could live in the lake."
"I agree that this is nice and fun," replied Marty. "However, I'm pretty glad we don't live in the lake. Otherwise, this wouldn't seem as exciting. I mean, when you really think about it, part of the excitement about being in the lake - is that we're usually not in the lake. We spend most of our lives on land. If we spent most of our lives in the lake, then we would maybe find it exciting to be on land."
"Wow, Marty!" gasped Alex. "That is very profound! You're just like me in yet another way. We're both deep thinkers."
"Yeah, you know, Alex," Marty commented, "I really am going to miss you when I leave."
"Yeah, Marty, I'm going to miss you, too," Alex said, softly. "It's amazing that we're already becoming such great friends, eh?"
"Oh, yes, for sure!" replied Marty.
Marty could still hardly believe that he actually got to meet the family from his favourite TV show in the flesh. It wasn't too bad staying with the Keaton family, even if he didn't quite get along with Mallory. From watching the shows, he didn't exactly think that Mallory was a bad person - but she could be a bit insufferable at times.
ooooooooooo
When Marty and Skippy had arrived home with Alex a couple hours later, Alex groaned, "Oh, great, Nick is here! Why don't we head out to Taco Bell, instead? I'm in the mood for some tacos."
"Nick Moore is Mallory's boyfriend," Skippy explained to Marty. "He absolutely hates my guts. I think it's partially him that's responsible for turning Mallory against me. I think, deep down inside, Mallory doesn't really hate me."
"So you and Nick don't get along?" Marty asked Alex, even though he already knew the answer from watching the shows.
"No, not especially," replied Alex. "I wouldn't say that I exactly dislike him, but I think he is a bad influence on Mallory. Remember how I told you about that Canadian boy who turned Mallory down?"
"Oh, yeah, what about him?" Marty asked curiously.
"He and I have sort of become friends within the last month," Alex explained. "His name is Todd McGuire, by the way. He and his family just moved here from Alberta. Anyway, it turned out that Todd had turned Mallory down - because Nick threatened to beat him up, if he didn't stay away from Mallory."
"Oh, my God!" gasped Marty. "That is awful! So you think Nick is emotionally abusive to Mallory?"
"Yes, big time," whispered Alex, as tears came to his eyes. "Despite all the fights that we might have, I love Mallory with all of my heart - and I cannot stand to see her get hurt. Our parents and I have been trying to get her to see Nick for who is - but she will defend Nick, no matter what. I honestly think Nick is trying to take advantage of my sister. I feel so helpless. Mallory thinks I'm always putting down Nick, because I hate him - but that's not the case at all. It's like I'm damned if I do, and damned if I don't. I cannot just stand by let my sister get hurt by him, but there's nothing I can do."
Alex then turned his head away, and he wept. Marty put his arm around Alex, in an attempt to soothe him.
"I'm sorry, Alex," Marty whispered, as he fought back his own tears. "I wish I knew what to suggest to you. I don't want to see Mallory get hurt, either."
Alex clung onto Marty tightly, as he wept on Marty's shoulder. Marty rubbed Alex's back, as tears stung his own eyes. After about ten minutes, Alex finally stopped crying.
"I'm sorry, Marty," Alex said, softly. "I didn't mean to let loose like this on you."
"Oh, no, that's okay, Alex," Marty said, softly. "I understand why this would upset you. It is a very tough situation to be in, indeed." Marty then grabbed a handkerchief, and he used it to wipe Alex's eyes. "Feel better, now, Alex?"
"Uh, yes, thank you," replied Alex, as he smiled a little bit. "So, Marty and Skippy, you still feel like eating at Taco Bell?"
"Taco Bell sounds awesome!" gushed Marty.
"Taco Bell is fine with me, too," added Skippy.
ooooooooooo
"Whoa, here he is!" exclaimed Alex, as he and his friends were eating their tacos. "Hey, Todd, come over here!"
"Oh, hello, Alex!" gushed Todd, as he walked over to the table. He then glanced between Alex and Marty, and he said, "Whoa, Alex! You never told me you had a twin!"
"Well, actually, I don't," Alex said, chuckling a little. "This is my cousin, Marty McCoy. We do look a lot alike, don't we? He's visiting us from California."
"Oh, yeah, I would like to move to California someday," Todd said, softly. "We just moved here from Calgary, Alberta - to live with some relatives."
"So what's it like, living in Canada?" Marty asked, softly. "I would love to visit Canada, someday. I heard it's a really nice country. Even though, I suppose I would have some difficulty adjusting to the winters. I know you guys don't all live in igloos and own dog sleds. I think anyone who believes that has to be pretty damn ignorant."
"Aw, I don't bother getting all worked up over people who think that," Todd said, laughing. "Life is too short to get so worked up over such small things, isn't it? I'd rather just educate people about our country, you know?"
"I guess you're right," replied Marty, smiling. "It's just that, what some the people in our country believe sometimes makes me feel ashamed to be an American. I resent that some people in our country perpetuate the 'arrogant and ignorant American' stereotype."
"Don't sweat it, okay?" Todd said, as he gently laid his hand on Marty's arm. "People are people. We are all the same where we come from. There are good people and bad people everywhere. I'm certain that most people in the world would regard you as an individual, and not judge you by where you come from."
"Todd is right, Marty," Alex added, softly. "When I've travelled abroad before, I have managed to make plenty of friends, and I have had lots of wonderful experiences."
"Where all have you travelled to Alex?" Todd asked.
"Oh, uh, we've travelled to England, France, Germany, and Spain," Alex replied. "We even went to Canada a couple of times, and it is a great country up there."
"I have some relatives who live in Canada," added Skippy. "My Uncle Bruce had married a Canadian about ten years ago - so they now live in Canada, and they have three children. They like it up there. We have visited them a few times."
"Yeah, Canadians and Americans are best friends and wonderful neighbours," Todd said, smiling.
"So, in other words," Marty added, smiling, "there is perfect peace and harmony between the Canadians and the Americans."
"Exactly!" Todd replied, smiling. "That sums it up beautifully, at least on an individual level - if you know what I mean."
"So, are all of you enjoying your tacos?" asked Alex.
"I most certainly am," replied Marty. "I could go for some more tacos myself. I have a pretty hearty appetite."
"So do I," Alex agreed, smiling. "I'll go up and order more tacos for us. You guys wait here, okay?"
"Oh, we will," Marty and Todd said, simultaneously.