May 24, 1986
10:28 AM PST

Marty stretched, as he woke up. It was the big day. He really was looking forward to being able to rock the stage, once again. Things sure seemed to be looking up. It felt rather nice, having lots of encouragement his parents. He thought of what his father taught him. If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. It really worked.

Just then, Marty Jr realized that there was just one problem. It was really his father's concert performance. While he inherited his father's musical talent, he actually used a different style. Yet, somehow, he knew most of what songs would be on the playlist.

"Marty?" called out a familiar feminine voice. As Marty looked up, he saw that Lorraine was stepping inside. "I've simply got great news. This time, your dad and I will be able to make it to your concert. How does that sound, honey? I bet you're very excited."

"We're very proud of you, son," added George, as he walked up. "I really feel bad, in fact, that had to miss the past few of your concerts. You sure are talented. Granted, your music might be a little bit loud - but it's still good. In a way, you simply remind me of Calvin Klein, and how he really got crazy - while he was playing Johnny B Goode."

"Oh, George, I really do remember that," replied Lorraine, wistfully. "It was just after the song that we had our first kiss to. I really remember how pissed off Mr. Strickland was. It was so different, but I really admired him. You should've been there, Marty."

"Yeah, that must've been totally awesome," replied Marty. For some reason, though, while Marty Sr just couldn't seem to remember that night. Marty Jr was a little curious of how the dance was. "Anyway, this is just great! I'm glad that you're both coming."

"We really do understand how passionate you are, honey," explained George, "about your music. It's sure the same way, in fact, as how I'm passionate about writing - and as how Dr. Brown is passionate about his scientific experiments. One day, I would like to see a few of his experiments. I still remember what a great teacher he really was."

"We also just wish you the best, Marty," Lorraine added, gently. "Anyway, I'm baking some coffee cake. It should be ready, soon. This afternoon, your dad and I sure plan on playing a little tennis. It's such a nice day, and we'd really would like to enjoy it."

"Yeah, it's almost summer," Marty replied smiling. "It's hard to believe that graduation is right around the corner. I have some mixed feelings about the whole thing. On one hand, it means no more having to deal with Mr. Strickland. He's really a wet blanket."

"I understand," George replied, gently. "Mr. Strickland never quite seemed to like me, either. I think he never forgave my father. He's just a hard person to please. In fact, I'd almost be a little worried - if he actually did approve of something that I did. I shouldn't be talking that way, but he seems to not care much about what's good..."

"Well, since you put it that way," Marty replied, laughing. Marty Jr thought of his own high school principal, Jeb Strickland. He really seemed to be as bad as his grandfather was. "Of course, it's sure hard to imagine that he ever was friends with your father."

"Actually, now that I really think of it," George replied, with sudden recollection, "I do remember a time, when he confided a little about his youth. It was simply when I was running for class president. He confided that, as a youth, he was rather unpopular."

"Yeah, now I remember," gasped Lorraine. "You really wanted to start a Good Friends program, in an effort to help out the other social misfits. I was rather surprised, when Mr. Strickland actually agreed to the idea. I was sure that he'd simply consider it to be a waste of time. It was just a very rare moment of sensitivity for him, as I can recall."

"That's quite, uh, surprising," commented Marty, stunned. It was something that both Sr and Jr just couldn't imagine. "I suppose that could explain, though, why he became the way he is. In that case, I guess we should have a little more sympathy for him."

"Well, it doesn't make him less bothersome," replied Lorraine, sighing. "In the end, we all sure do need to take responsibility for our own actions." Glancing at his watch, she added, "There are just five minutes left - and then the coffee cake should be ready."

"The coffee cake sure smells good," replied. "Anyway, in spite of simply not having to deal with Mr. Strickland, I'm feeling a little nervous about graduation. It's a huge step to take, and I'll even lose some of my friends - as they take off for different colleges. It makes me feel a little sad. Granted, I'll still have my band mates - as well as Doc."

"Oh, that I sure can relate to," replied Lorraine, wistfully. "Even with Babs and Betty - I don't even communicate that much with them, anymore. On the other hand , it quite feels nice to have three precious children. Well, I'm gonna check on the coffee cake."

Marty sighed, as George and Lorraine left the room. It was definitely a feeling that Sr and Jr could both rather relate to. Marty's thoughts then turned to Jennifer. Marty Jr figured that it wouldn't be all too bad, even though he might have to kiss his mother.

oooooooooo

As Marty and Jennifer were walking at Hill Valley Park, Marty Jr was rather amazed by how much has remained the same. Of course, some of the trees were a little shorter - and there were any children on hoverboards. The air really smelled the same, and the same animal sounds could be heard. He wondered how the park would look, by 2046.

"I sure see that you're enjoying yourself, Marty," Jennifer commented, softly. "I can't quite imagine ever getting tired of this place. It's just so peaceful, and... Do you think that, in thirty years, our children would also appreciate the park? Or do you think..."

"Oh, I quite imagine that they maybe would," replied Marty, smiling. Or, at least, I would, Marty Jr added, to himself. As for his sister, it sure seemed to be not so much the case - as she really seemed to prefer spending much of her time at the mall.

"I'm looking forward to creating a good future," explained Jennifer. "I mean, with the proper encouragement, I'm actually positive that our son will really grow to become a more confident person - and that he won't let Griff Tannen push him around. I'm sure that you'll make a wonderful father. I do hope to make a wonderful mother, as well."

"That's right," Marty replied, somewhat nervously. Marty Jr could barely believe what he heard. He sure couldn't imagine ever allowing himself to be pushed around by Griff Tannen. Could Jennifer be referring to a different son? "That would be so awesome!"

"You bet it would," replied Jennifer, smiling. "I mean, when I was in 2015, I was quite horrified by what I saw. I sure don't want to get married in the Chapel o' Love, and it seemed like our family quite was a mess - and you were fired, because of Needles..."

"That just doesn't sound good," replied Marty. Marty Sr was thrilled, when he realized how his son seemed to be confident. He figured it to just be a good sign. Marty Jr, on the other hand, was so horrified to hear about this alternate reality - where his family wasn't as happy. He just couldn't picture it, and Marty Sr couldn't seem to remember.

"Well, Marty, remember what Doc says," Jennifer replied, softly. "Your future really is whatever you make it. You sure just have to have the right attitude. I've also noticed that, within the last few weeks, Needles hasn't been harassing you. It looks as if..."

"Yeah, it's quite about high time he gets the message," Marty agreed, emphatically. "I quite remember how, even just two months ago, he still felt the need to harass me. It was so horrible, how he really knocked me out - by throwing a volleyball at the head."

"That was downright low," Jennifer agreed, rolling her eyes. "It was a good thing that Mr. Carter excused you from PE, for two weeks - even though I missed seeing you. It was such unmitigated audacity, for Needles to do that. At any rate, you've sure been doing a good job. You've learned to not care about what people like Needles thinks."

"Yeah, I can't believe how silly I used to be," Marty replied, blushing. "Well, we'll have to make sure to teach our future children to not give into foolish dares." As the words came out, Marty Jr realized that his father did do just that. "We sure owe it to them."

"I'm real sure it didn't set a good example to the kids," Jennifer pointed out, laughing, "when you really threw out the... the scene screen repairman, because he called you a 'chicken'. I sure do wonder what led him to calling you a 'chicken', in the first place."

"That's a very good question," replied Marty, sighing. Marty Jr rather couldn't imagine his father doing such a thing. By 2016, he was usually a very good-natured man. This alternate reality sounded like something out of a nightmare. "I'm glad that we actually managed to avert that horrible future. I feel sorry for our children, in that timeline."

"I feel real sorry for our counterparts," commented Jennifer. "Y'know, Doc never explained about what became of his counterpart. I rather can't imagine Doc not doing everything in his power, though, to undo the horrible accident. When you think of..."

"Something bad might've happened to him," suggested Marty. "Well, it'd quite be best for us to not dwell on that reality. The real important thing is, that's certainly not the future that lies ahead of us - and, of course, Doc did quite come through for me!"

Jennifer smiled, as the couple continued to walk on. While Marty Sr felt very happy at knowing that he was headed towards a better future, Marty Jr couldn't quite help but feel dread at knowing the way he could've turned out, had the circumstances actually been different. Marty looked at the scenery, hoping that it would really calm his mind.