"I'm sorry, but you look just like my folks," Jeffrey stammers.
"And you look just like my little boy." The woman takes his face in her hands and starts to cry. "Oh, John, doesn't he look just like our boy?"
"Emma, Emma dear. Let go of the young man. He's not our son," the man tells his wife. "We lost our son when he was twelve. I'm sorry, this has never happened before," he says to Jeffrey and Kate.
"I lost my folks when I was twelve," Jeffrey says.
"Oh, Jeffrey, I've missed you so much." The woman puts her arms around Jeffrey and kisses him on his cheeks. "Tell me, where have you been all this time?"
Jeffrey flaps helplessly with his arms, not sure how to respond to this treatment. John puts a hand on Emma's shoulder to pull her gently away from Jeffrey.
"I think maybe we should go somewhere where we can talk," Kate suggests.
-oOo-
A few minutes later they are sitting in a caffé, Jeffrey and Kate on one side of the table, his parents on the other.
On the way there Jeffrey threw Kate a puzzled look.
"These are my folks. I know they are. But how can they be? They're dead, my parents. They died a long time ago."
"Maybe these are doppelgängers?"
"No, no, too much of a coincidence. Their looks, their voices, the way they talk. That's all how my folks used to be. These are my folks." He nodded his head determinedly as if to convince himself by shaking off any lingering doubts. "I told you it was a good idea to go to New York. Now I most definitely want to stay here. Stay with my folks."
"Don't get ahead of yourself." Kate tried to temper his enthusiasm. "You've lost your parents; these people lost their son. You've both suffered a loss. That doesn't mean these are your parents."
"They are my folks," Jeffrey said as they entered the caffé.
"Well, just don't tell them anything about voyaging, all right?"
"We were out of town for a few nights," Emma starts to tell her story. "Jeffrey was twelve. He stayed over at his aunt's. We shouldn't have gone; we should have stayed with him. When we came back he was gone. We never saw Jeffrey again. We think he was kidnapped from her apartment. Poor Elizabeth, it was quite a blow to her too. She blames herself. We never heard a word, not even for ransom. I can't even imagine what kind of people would just take a boy away from his parents."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
Jeffrey feels a lump forming in his throat. These are his folks. Everything happened the way he remembered. He was staying with his aunt Elizabeth when Bogg dropped into his room and he fell out of the window. Everything is the same, except that his parents are still alive.
"Thank you." Emma takes a handkerchief from her purse. "And then just now, I see you and you look just like our Jeffrey."
"I am Jeffrey," Jeffrey says. Kate gives him a nudge. "I mean, my name is Jeffrey. I lost my parents when I was twelve. There was an accident. Bogg, Kate's dad, became my guardian. He took care of me over the years. We traveled around a lot. And then today I decided I wanted to see where I used to live in New York. We just got to New York today."
"It's my first trip to the big city," Kate says.
"What'll it be." A waitress has posted herself at the side of their table, pencil and pad ready to take orders.
"I'll have some coffee," John says.
"Me too," Emma nods.
"I rather have something to eat, it's been a while," Kate says.
"Shoot."
"I think I'd like a hot-dog. New York is hot-dogs, right?"
"We don't serve hot-dogs."
"Why don't you have a hamburger," Jeffrey quickly suggests. "That's also meat and bread." He remembers how he and Bogg used to make fools out of themselves when they didn't know the little details.
"Hamburger then," Kate says.
"Same for me, with fries and a coke."
Kate nods to the waitress that she would like to have the same. She bumps her knee against Jeffrey's, a silent thank you. He pats her on her leg, a silent 'thank you for bringing me back to my parents'.
"I'm gonna go wash my hands," Jeffrey gets up.
"Good idea. So will I." Emma gets up too and follows him to the restrooms.
"What do you think? Could he really be our son?" John asks.
"I--I really can't say," Kate hesitates.
"It took a very long time before my wife could live with the fact that Jeffrey was gone. I don't want all the nightmares coming back just because of some poser."
"I've known Jeffrey all my life, and he never struck me as a poser. Do you believe he could be your son?"
"He does look an awful lot like him, but I don't trust it. If he really is, why did it take him all this time to come back to New York? And who is this Bogg fellow? You say he's your dad, but could he have kidnapped our son, or bought him of his kidnappers, and then took him on as his own son, telling him that his parents had died?"
"My dad loves Jeffrey as his own son. He would never lie to him about his parents. My dad thinks family's too important for that." Kate tries not to glare at John for accusing her dad of kidnapping. "Why don't you test him? Ask him things only your Jeffrey can know? You know, father-son secrets. Find out that way if he's a poser."
"That's a very good idea. I will do that. But if you've known Jeffrey all your life, then how can he be our son? I don't remember you."
"Maybe I'm exaggerating a little."
"You're quite something. If Jeffrey really is my son, I guess I will have to put up with you too, being his girl-friend."
"I'm not his girl-friend. I'm just protective of him. Our water runs as thick as blood."
"Quite something." John smiles.
Emma and Jeffrey return. The waitress brings their orders.
"What were you talking about?" Emma asks.
"Quiz shows," John says.
"Oh, that's interesting. Jeffrey and I were talking, and he told me that they only just got to New York; they don't even have a place to stay yet. So I suggested they would stay with us."
"Emma?!'
"Why not? We have the room, and it would be nice to have some young people around the place. I believe it takes years of my own life."
"Emma, about the young people staying at our place ... "
"Oh, John, that would only be for one night. Maybe two. You're leaving again soon, aren't you?"
"Yeah. I'd like to get a move on again soon." Kate glances at Jeffrey as she says this.
"See, no problem there. We have the room for it, and we're now talking to them so they won't be strangers anymore either."
"I can't argue with your logic."
"Then you shouldn't." She pats her husband on the knee.
"Emma, I think you are quite something."
"Why, thank you, Kate. I think you and I will get along very well."
-oOo-
John is paying at the cash register. To explain why they haven't made proper lodging arrangements Jeffrey has told John and Emma that it was a spontaneous decision to go to New York. At which Kate mumbled something inaudible into her burger. Emma has gotten up to wash her hands again.
"Wow. I said to you I wanted to see my folks again, but I did not only see them, I got to talk to them, and I'm even gonna stay with them. I never thought this was going to happen. I'm so happy. I told you these are my folks. And we're gonna stay with them. I'm gonna stay with them forever. I'm never letting them out of my sight again."
Jeffrey is so happy he wants to drum on the table, drum on Kate, give Kate a hug, give anyone a hug for that matter. Kate reluctantly receives her hug.
"No, by the time you're 35 they'll kick you out of the
house and tell you to get a life of your own."
"What's the matter? Aren't you happy for me?"
"Oh, I'm happy for you. As happy as I could be." Kate forces a big smile. "Hurray. It's the omni I'm worried about. It's flickering from red to green and back. I can't make out whether it is good the way it's going here or bad."
"Maybe it's doing that because you tampered with the time boundary," Jeffrey suggests.
"Yeah, that must be it. I'm worried, that's all. I'm happy for you. Really, I am."
She tries to tickle him. Jeffrey can only make her stop do that by putting his arms around her again, and hold her very tight.
-oOo-
"So have you made any plans for tomorrow? If you're a day in New York, and Kate has never been here, you should take advantage of that." Emma takes Jeffrey by the arm and walks ahead with him. John and Kate stroll along behind them, without saying a word to one another.
"I guess I'll show her where I grew up. And she must have that hot-dog. I'll teach her some things about the history of New York. I think she'll be interested in that. I guess I will also take her to a museum or something."
"Our Jeffrey also always wanted to go to a museum. National history museum, modern history museum, anything with history in it. Except prehistory."
"I don't like prehistory," Jeffrey says.
"Right, except the prehistory. Our Jeffrey never cared much about dinosaurs."
"Neither do I. All you can tell about them is how big they got and when they died."
"Exactly. That's exactly what he used to say." Emma looks at him in amazement.
"I must have read that in a book somewhere," Jeffrey says.
He feels weird. On the one hand, everything feels right, these are his parents and he's happy they're all together. On the other hand, his parents died in a car crash when he was twelve. How could these people possible be his parents? Still, in their presence he feels the warmth he felt as a child. These must be his folks; there is no other way.
"I guess our Jeffrey got it from the same book. It's amazing what you two have in common. First I thought it was just looks, but now, in your ways, your character." Emma looks at him. She shakes her head. "But it's ridiculous to think that you're our Jeffrey. We lost him seven years ago. And I should not turn you into his substitute."
Jeffrey wants to tell her she's not turning him into a substitute, that he is the real thing. Kate apparently senses this 'cause she calls his name, in a demanding tone. How would he be able to explain about the last seven years without telling them about voyaging, he asks himself.
"This afternoon, when I first saw you, I immediately thought you were my parents. I don't want to turn you into substitutes either, but I'd be really happy if I could think that even though I haven't seen them for seven years, my folks are happy. And I wish they can be happy for me even if I'm not with them."
They have reached the building where the Joneses live. Emma pushes the button to call the elevator. John compliments Jeffrey on words well spoken. In the apartment John immediately hurries over to his study. Emma shows the youngsters into the living room.
"I'll make the bed in Jeffrey's old room, so one of you can sleep in there. Then the other one can sleep in the living room. Or would you like to sleep in the same room? I think I'm liberal about that," Emma says. She nods as to encourage herself to keep talking. "I would be if our Jeffrey was your age and brought home a girl-friend and they would like to sleep in the same room. I would let them sleep in the same room. So ... " Jeffrey is starting to look embarrassed.
"Separate rooms is fine with us," Kate quickly says. "I'd like to get an early night. Jeffrey's already slept for days before he woke up this morning, so I don't think he's ready for bed yet."
"Can I see the room though?" Jeffrey asks.
"Sure. It's down the hall." Emma leads the way. "I've kept it the same after Jeffrey disappeared."
"I see." Jeffrey touches the shelf with his action figures. The shelf with all his books. He takes one down. "This used to be my favorite book. I could read in it for hours; it never tired me."
"It was our Jeffrey's favorite too. Some people told me to change his room, put all his stuff away in boxes, 'cause if I kept walking into his room, expecting him to walk in again any moment, I would never get over him. But I didn't want to get over him."
"I can't see how you would want to," Kate says. "When my mom died I didn't want people to put my memories in boxes. I wanted to keep them where I could see them."
"I feel the same way." Emma gives Kate a warm smile. "I think Jeffrey would be okay with it if I let you stay in his room. I'll leave you two alone now. Jeffrey, I'll make a bed for you on the living room sofa." Emma leaves and close the door behind her.
"My old room. Exactly the same." Jeffrey sits down on the bed. "Well, a little neater then when I left it, but mom was always cleaning it up."
"Your parents seem to think I'm your girl-friend." Kate looks around the room.
"You're not my girl-friend."
"So, can't I be your girl-friend?" Kate looks at him defiantly.
"I've never thought about having a girl-friend." Jeffrey feels he has to defend himself under her stare. "Well, first I was voyaging, so there wasn't any time and perhaps I was too young for a girl-friend. Bogg seemed to have girl-friends a lot, so I guess it would have been possible. But then in the plantation, I was thinking of other things, though there were a few nice girls to be friends with. I guess if I wanted a girl-friend you would be a very good choice."
"Just teasing you." Kate pushes him against his shoulder.
Jeffrey rolls over then stops facing the window.
"I fell out of a window just like this. It feels weird looking at it. I'm really happy seeing my folks again. Do you think I could tell them it really is me?" Jeffrey turns his head to Kate. "I know it's them. It really is them."
"I think you should wait your time. I don't know how your mom's heart will take it. Your dad is a bit skeptic. He wants to test you on your father and son shared moments, see if you're the real thing, or a poser."
"That would be the right way, wouldn't it? That way I could really convince him it was me." Jeffrey sits up.
"I guess so."
"And then I could stay here, with them."
"Yeah."
"And I have you to thank for that. You're the one who found me on that plantation, you're the one who rigged the omni so we could voyage to my folks. I think I will write that book, you know, that autobiography you mentioned. Only this time it's not going to be 19th century literature, but late 20th century, and I'm going to dedicate my book to you."
"That's nice." Jeffrey hears a little break in Kate's voice.
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. It just has been a very long day for me. And I'd like to get some sleep, early night." Her words don't reassure Jeffrey.
"It's the omni, isn't it?" Jeffrey finally faces what he has put off facing for the past hours. "It's not flickering from red to green, is it? It's a red light, isn't it?"
"No, it's flickering red to green," she says. Her voice sounds chocked. "I don't know what could be wrong. Maybe it's because I tamp..."
"It's my folks," Jeffrey interrupts. "They're alive, they shouldn't be. They should have died in that car crash. And now ... we have to ... go ... back in time ... and ..."
"No!" Kate replies fiercely. She shakes her head violently. "No, we don't."
Jeffrey looks up at her. She kneels down before him and takes his hands in hers.
"No," she says in a softer voice. "Jeffrey, you already lost your parents once. Whatever it is; we're not going to get your parents killed. I won't allow you loosing them again. You've been through so much already."
"But you said that if people live that are supposed to die, that influences everything, the bad and the good."
"That only goes for presidents and the like, you know, people who actually make a difference. So unless your dad is running for office ... it doesn't matter whether he died ten years ago, or fifty years into the future. Just tell your dad to set his political aspirations aside. Then he won't make a difference."
Jeffrey laughs through his tears. "You've never seen It's a Wonderful Life, have you?"
"Huh?" Kate shrugs.
"It's a movie. Story of a man who thinks he's useless and then an angel shows him how much of a difference he has made in the lives of the people around him. One man can make a difference."
"Sure, to the people around him. In the larger scheme of things it's insignificant. Your parents not dying in that car crash, didn't effect Dad omniing into your room and taking off with you, did it?"
"Apparently not."
"Well then. All it got you were those horrible nightmares, which you will now replace with many pleasant dreams."
"Thanks, Kate." Jeffrey strokes her hair and gives her a hug. Kate gets up.
"Now, I think you should go to your dad and talk to him. Then I go to bed and dream of mine. Hopefully I can dream up a good explanation for the mess I've gotten us in. Goodnight." Kate kisses Jeffrey on the forehead and pushes him of the bed.
"Good night."
-oOo-
In the hall way Jeffrey runs into John holding a photo-album.
"Ah, Jeffrey, there you are. Here are some pictures I want to show you, and I want you to tell me what you see in them."
"Okay."
"We'll go into my study . Emma will be in the living room and I don't want to disturb her."
They sit down in the study. John opens the album. "Where was this taken?"
"At a Yankees' game. The last one we went to together, before I, you ... "
"Continue."
"You brought a base ball glove, so you could catch a fowl ball. You didn't catch one though; the kid in front of us did. Yankees lost, so it was a bit of a bad day. To make up for it, you bought me two hot-dogs. You didn't have to make up for anything; I always loved the days I spent with you. I've really missed them."
"And this one?" John turns back a few pages.
"Christmas at grandma," Jeffrey says about the picture of his father playing guitar. "Or, it was supposed to be. You first wanted to finish some work, so we left a few days later than we were supposed to, and then at the airport we got snowed in. That ruined everybody's Christmas spirit. You borrowed a guitar from someone and you and Mom started singing Christmas Carrolls, and other people joined in. That improved things. Everybody listened in silence when Mom told the Night before Christmas. That was my favorite Christmas."
Jeffrey remembers it all vividly. How upset he'd gotten that they were snowed in and couldn't get to grandma's anymore in time for midnight mass. How he'd shouted that it was all his father's fault. How his mom had to shout back, to make herself heard, that his father was a wonderful man and could do many things, but controlling the weather wasn't one of those things. How he first had been embarrassed when his parents started singing, but had grown very proud when people joined in and others told him what great singers his parents were. And how safe and warm he'd felt with his dad's arms around him when his mom told the story.
"You're not just saying that because of the presents you got that year?"
"All I remember is two self-knitted sweaters from grandma."
John laughs and points at another picture. One of a man and a little boy, both looking soaked yet determined. Jeffrey starts to laugh too.
"The fishing trip. Was it our first? I remember it was raining cats and dogs that day. You said that was good, meant that the fish would be coming to the surface and be easier to catch. Meanwhile we sat all day under that big umbrella shivering."
"But we came home with a lot of fish."
"Which you had bought on the road side. Grandma even complimented you on how well you had cleaned the fish."
"Which I had bought on the road side." John repeats. He closes the book and looks at Jeffrey. "Welcome home son."
"It's good to be home, Dad. I've missed you."
-oOo-
A/N: I wrote this story before I read A Stich in Time. I've thought about changing the names of Jeffrey's parents to Bill and Kathy, but I really don't like the name Bill.
