May 25, 1986
9:00 AM PST

As Marty stepped into the dining room, he saw that french toast was being served. It sure was one of his favourite meals. As he noticed Dave and Linda, he was just taken aback. It sure seemed rather strange for Marty Jr for his uncle and his aunt looked so young. On the other hand, Marty Sr could barely imagine them as being middle-aged.

"Ah, it's a beautiful Sunday morning," sing-songed George, as he brought in the plate of french toast. "It's sure a lovely feeling, seeing all of us together. Even Marty looks very perky and refreshed. I was hoping that we could all go to church, this morning."

"I think it really looks like it, dear," replied Lorraine, as she threw her arms around her husband. After sitting down, she added, "Marty, your Grandma Stella called. She just wanted to spend tomorrow afternoon with you, and show you a cookie new recipe."

"I'm all for it!" exclaimed Marty, as he felt quite thrilled. Marty Jr, though, never knew his grandmother. He knew that his father deeply loved her, though. "It's awesome, in fact. I mean, I quite have many fond memories of spending time with her. I've always enjoyed baking cookies, with her. I'd quite miss her, if anything was to ever happen."

"Oh, Marty," chided Dave, as he shook his head. "I can't believe that you actually still enjoy baking cookies. What do you see in that, anyway? Isn't that sort of a... sort of a women's activity? I know that she's our grandma, and all - but don't you think..."

"Hey, men can enjoy cookies, too," Marty insisted, rolling his eyes. Sometimes, he felt as if his older brother could be too concerned about gender roles. Marty Jr thought of how fortunate he was, that his parents were strong believers of individual freedom.

"Yeah, Dave, just leave your brother alone," scolded George, firmly. Glancing around the table, he added, "I remember how, when you kids were a little younger... Well, it seemed as if you did a lot of fighting - and we had to send you to your bedrooms. I'm so... It seems as if you still tend to fight - some of the time. Perhaps, not as much."

"It wasn't ever that bad, George," protested Lorraine, laughing. "I remember my own childhood. As I was the eldest, I really... Usually, I was the mediator - whenever my siblings would fight. Still, I certainly had my share of disagreements with them."

"Well, darling, I know they all quite love each other," George replied, softly. "Being an only child, I guess I simply wasn't as used to it. To be honest, I sort of miss the days - when the kids would bicker, and we had to intervene. They all just grew up, so fast."

"Oh, I see what you mean," replied Lorraine, wistfully. "As Dave moved out, last year - I guess these family meals are quite starting to seem a little more... rare. It's sort of a bittersweet feeling. Speaking of grandmothers, it's a little strange to think of how... Well, one day, I will become a grandmother. I'm just not sure if I'm ready for it."

"Well, Mom, you'd sure better get out your knitting needles and cookie recipes," Linda teased, laughing. "After all, if you're actually gonna be a grandma... Well, you should start simply looking the part. Also, don't forget to buy yourself a granny house coat!"

"Aw, Linda," protested Lorraine, laughing. "Of course, by the time I simply do become a grandmother... It would be so nice to have small children in the house, again - even it would be only for a visit. I guess I would baking with them. Not knitting, though."

"I can't imagine you knitting, Mom," Dave commented, laughing. "Anyway, I'm not too sure if I even plan on having kids. I mean, it's sure a lot of responsibility - and I'm sort of a cleanaholic. Also, I don't even have a girlfriend - and I'm sure not actively looking for anyone, right now. If I find a girl that I can click with, great! Otherwise, I just..."

"I don't know how you can stand it, Dave," insisted Linda. "I mean, I can't imagine not having a boy in my life. I just think it'd be so lonely, y'know, if I wasn't dating anyone. My life would just feel empty, without having anyone to be in love with. After all, I..."

Marty rolled his eyes. Linda sure didn't seem to grasp the concept of "true love" - and neither did Marlene, for that matter. He really could understand Dave's point of view, a little better. It was pretty much what happened between Doc and Clara, after all.

"Oh, Linda," chided Lorraine, chuckling. Turning to Marty, she added, "I actually must say, Marty, I enjoyed your concert. You and your band have all simply put on a good show. I simply mean it, too. I'm not saying this, Marty, just because I'm your mother. Although, I guess a little partiality is unavoidable. Still, I'm proud to call you my son."

"Yeah, Marty, I agree with everything your mom said," George agreed, nodding. "It's simply a good feeling, Marty, knowing that you're ambitious. Dave and Linda, I'm also proud of you two. It really makes me feel happy, knowing that I was a good father."

"Oh, Dad, you are a wonderful father!" agreed Dave, with enthusiasm. "In fact, I remember the helpful advice that you gave to me, when I was being bullied by Cliff. If it hadn't been for your patience and support, he might still be bullying me around!"

Thank you so much, Dad, thought Marty Jr, as he remembered finding out about the alternate reality. I know you haven't had me, yet. You'll actually become a very wonderful father, though. I still don't really understand that alternate reality. Still, it's probably not that important. Anyway, I wanted to... Man, this feels rather weird.

You're quite welcome, son, replied Marty Sr. Wait a minute! This can't be right. It feels... Well, son, if you are here... Well, I love you! I sure want for you and Marly to be happy. How could you be here, though? This really doesn't make any sense!

oooooooooo

Later that afternoon, Marty glanced around the bedroom. Was he actually sharing his body with his future son - or was he really trapped inside his father's body? He flipped on the radio, hoping that the music might just relax him. With a jolt, Marty felt as if he had a similar experience - not long ago. He couldn't remember any specifics, though.

Marty thought about doing his homework. However, he rather wasn't in any mood for reading Orwell's novel - which he felt was too depressing. Yet, even though he barely started reading the book, he actually remember the entire book, in rather vivid detail.

Marty opened up his algebra book - figuring that it would be manageable, at least. As he just glanced at the problems, they looked surprisingly easy. Marty Sr then realized that, even though math was his worse subject - it actually was his son's best subject.

"You are listening to KKHV 104.1 FM," announced the disc jockey, "and that was Steel Breeze, with You Don't Want Me Anymore. Here's a song from our local band. In fact, they performed yesterday - and I really loved the show. They're called The Pinheads, and they really know how to put on a great show. By The Pinheads, this is Harmony."

Marty smiled, as he turned up the radio. He began snapping his fingers, as he danced around his bedroom. Even after nearly a month, it was still a thrill to him. To Marty Jr, though, this was nothing new. He heard his father's songs on the radio, all the time.

"Hello, Marty?" asked Lorraine, as she stepped in. "They're actually playing your song on the radio! Well, honey, it really looks as if you're destined to become famous - just like your father. Your dad and I are both proud of you. You do have a lot of talent!"

"Thank you, Mom," replied Marty, as he threw his arms around Lorraine. "I appreciate your support. Even if we don't simply become... well, famous famous... it's not a big deal. After all, being a musician is about more than just being famous. I love being able to perform. Enjoyment is the first and foremost thing that I value. After all, it..."

"I quite understand what you mean, honey," Lorraine replied, softly. "When your dad first started writing, he never let anyone read his stories. He was just so worried that other people wouldn't like them. Still, he just felt good about doing what he enjoyed."

"I don't see how anyone could not like his stories," insisted Marty. "Well, I guess someone who isn't interested in aliens might be quite bored with them. George Orwell was an excellent author, but I do find his famous novel to be a little too depressing."

"Well, yeah, there's a diversity of interests," agreed Lorraine. "I'm sure that your dad wouldn't really expect for people who aren't very interested in aliens to enjoy reading his stories. Likewise, with you... Well, I'm sure you're quite aware of the fact that not everyone cares for loud music. You wouldn't expect them to enjoy your music, right?"

"No, I sure wouldn't," Marty replied, smiling. Marty Jr was very fascinated by how the conversation was going. He remembered having the very same type of conversations with his own parents. The parallel was so fascinating. "Not everybody enjoys rock."

"Anyway, honey, I think you should relax," Lorraine suggested, as she kissed Marty's cheek. "I understand that you're feeling a little anxious about high school graduation. You don't have to worry about moving out, though. We wouldn't just kick you out."

"Thanks for everything, Mom," replied Marty, as his mother left the room. He flopped on his bed, as he was rather thankful to have a set of supportive parents. He vowed that, when he and Jennifer had children, he'd be just as rather supportive of his own children. If Marty Jr really was inside, he probably just heard his father's thoughts.

You really are supportive, Dad, thought Marty Jr. I don't know how I ended up here, or if I even am here. It might really be some sort of weird dream. At any rate, it feels nice - experiencing life of the 1980s. I sort of miss my hoverboard, though.