10:30 AM PST
Marty '86 was feeling so nervous, as he and his friends were standing outside of the new Lou's Aerobics Fitness Centre. As he looked to his friends, he saw that they had expressions of mixed emotions on their face. He was sure they all missed the cafe.
"I'm going to sign up for this Jazzercise problem," Ellen commented. "As much I will miss the cafe, I think this town does need an aerobics studio. I could really stand to lose a pound or two myself. I sure hope Rissy's gang won't be bugging us."
"We maybe don't have to worry about Rissy," Tara said, quietly, "but look at the sign over there. It says Jeb Strickland will be one of the guards. He really is as bad as his grandfather. He actually used to be the hall monitor, back when he went to school. It was horrible! He would even harass the people who were the victims of bullying."
"Like father, like son," Greta commented, rolling her eyes. "You know, I just wonder if the Stricklands were always this bad. I wonder if my future children might have to deal with a Strickland, by the time they make it to high school. Makes me shudder!"
Marty '86 thought of James Strickland, who had been the marshall back in 1885. He was real stunned to discover how James used to be a little bit like his father back in 1855. He then remembered Steven Strickland from the year 1925.
"Let's go inside, now," suggested Goldie Jr. "I heard that they're going to have a big party here on Wednesday, to celebrate the 20th-year anniversary of the famous Hill Valley lightning storm. I can hardly wait to meet Marvin Berry, and his family."
"Yeah, and with Calvin Klein here," Ellen added, "it will be like a reunion of sorts. I was still in my mother's womb at that time, but this was sure the day that Lorraine had found her true love. In a way, I almost feel like I've missed out on so much. I sometimes wish I could've been alive, back when the clock was still ticking."
"That's one thing our parents are on the outs with the Wilsons about," commented Tara. "My parents strongly believe that the clock should be left the way as it is, as part of our history and heritage - as a sort of historical landmark. The Wilsons, on the other hand, find it senseless to have a clock that doesn't actually work."
Marty '86 swallowed deeply, as he quite realized just how heated the issue would be by the '80s. Back when he and Jules had visited 1946, Carol Davenport had berated Goldie Wilson Sr for throwing away an old non-functioning clock.
oooooooooo
"Uh, Haven," Ellen said, nervously, as the two of them headed downstairs to the new gym, "I was wondering if I could maybe talk with you a little bit. I'm in quite a sticky situation, and I was wondering if you could maybe offer me a litle bit of advice."
"Oh, yeah, sure," Haven replied, as the two girls headed off to a corner. "You really do seem to have so much on your mind, and maybe I could help you with whatever it is that's troubling you. I care deeply about all of my friends, you know."
"All right, well," Ellen said, nervously, "it's about Goldie. The two of us have been an item for nearly two years, now - even though we've been friends our whole lives. In fact, we were in diapers together. The problem is, though, I sure no longer feel as if I'm romantically attracted to him. I would still like for us to remain friends, though."
Haven swallowed deeply, as he realized how much Goldie Jr greatly resembled his future son. He and Goldie III had been dating for nearly two years, and it was just hard to keep from looking at his father in a smitten manner.
"To be honest, he will probably be upset," Haven said, gently. "On the other hand, though, it's better for you to be honest with him. If the two of you have been such good friends your whole life, I'm sure he'll eventually come around."
"Well, intellectually, that's what I believe," Ellen said, sighly. "Still, the emotional side of me really fears rejection. I can't stand it when people dislike me - and I sure can't stand it when people are angry with me, or disappointed in me."
"I understand what you mean, Ellen," Haven replied. "Ultimately, it is your choice to decide how you wish to handle this - and I understand how this is a hard situation. I won't pretend otherwise. I have been in a similar situation before, and I understand how difficult it is to basically tell someone that you no longer love him."
"It's not that I don't love him anymore," Ellen said, flustered. "I do still love him as a dear friend, and I always will. It's simply that, on a romantic level... well, I don't feel the same spark as I once did. I know that, either way, I'll be hurting his feelings."
oooooooooo
"What's the matter, Goldie?" Marty '86 asked, as he saw that his friend really looked sad. "Are you worried that your father may not be elected mayor tomorrow?"
"No, it's not that," Goldie Jr replied, sighing heavily. "It's that, well, Ellen just broke up with me. I know it would be wrong for me to be angry with her, but I was really hoping to bring her to the dance on Wednesday. I feel like my life is falling apart."
"So how did the conversation go?" Marty '86 asked, after a brief pause. "I'm sure it was just as hard for Ellen to drop the bomb on you, as it was for you to hear it."
"Ellen didn't exactly talk to me about it," Goldie Jr explained, quietly. "Jeb Strickland had overheard Ellen discussing it with Haven over the surveillance cameras. When I asked Ellen about it, she just blushed and walked away. I feel so depressed, now."
Marty '85 felt himself turning red with rage, as he fumed, "He's sure an asshole! He had no right to be meddling in affairs that are really none of his concern! He should have kept his big mouth shut! What he did to you was downright despicable!"
"Yeah, you're right!" Goldie Jr said, sighing. "You're right, Marty. I suppose I should really give Ellen her space. She obviously was not counting on anyone overhearing her, and then blabbing to me about it. I just wish she had just told me, though."
Marty '86 swallowed deeply, as this conversation sounded real familiar to him. "I'm pretty sure she was planning to tell you, Goldie," Marty '86 suggested. "She maybe wasn't sure how well you'd take it, so she just needed to confide in a friend."
"So what happened here?" Greta asked, with concern - as she joined Marty '86 and Goldie Jr. "I was just talking to Haven, and she had told me how Ellen was planning on ending her relationship with you - and then somehow you actually found out and decided to confront her. Ellen is sitting in the bench outside right now and crying."
"Two words for you, Greta," Marty '86 said, briskly. "Jeb and Strickland. He actually heard the whole conversation on camera, and decided to blab about it to Goldie. He apparently has no sense of respect or compassion whatsoever for other people."
"Well, maybe we should all go outside and talk to Ellen," Goldie Jr said, softly. "To be honest, I really am distressed how she wanted to end her relationshiop with me - but she is still my friend, and it's really a shame that Jeb felt the need to interfere."
oooooooooo
"I never meant to hurt Goldie," Ellen sobbed, as Haven was sitting on the bench with her. "I have no idea how he could find out. I just didn't think anybody would actually hear us. I guess this means our friendship is over now, and it's all my fault."
"It's really not your fault, Ellen," Haven said, comfortingly. "You were planning to tell him. I would just hazard a guess that someone had overheard our conversation. I'm guessing that whoever heard us either spread it around, until Goldie found out - else he may have directly gone to to Goldie and told him. I'm very sorry, Ellen."
"My life is over, Haven," Ellen commented, weeping brokenly. "I'm sure that the rest of our friends will side with Goldie, and they won't want to have anything more to do with me, either." She just put her head on Haven's shoulder and wept audibly.
Haven felt real helpless, as she stroked the top of Ellen's head. She felt real bad for her friend, and hope that the conversation didn't end up disrupting history. This was just the last thing that she needed right now. She felt a little like crying herself.
"Haven? Ellen?" Marty '86 called out, as he showed up with Goldie Jr and Greta. "I'm so sorry about everything that happened. The thing is, Jeb Strickland had overheard your conversation with each other, and then he decided to blab to Goldie about it."
"Goldie?" Ellen asked, as she lifted up her tear-stained face. "I meant to tell you how I feel. I just wasn't sure how to tell you. I just didn't know how you'd take it. I guess I don't quite blame you, if you never want to be my friend again. I guess I really did blow it, didn't I?" She bowed her head, as the tears were flowing down her face.
"Ellen, I would never ever stop being your friend," Goldie Jr said, as tears filled his own eyes. "To be perfectly honest, yeah, I do feel crushed how you no longer love me in a romantic way - but that doesn't mean that you and I can't be friends."
"Do you really mean it, Goldie?" Ellen asked, as she swallowed a sob. "I feel so bad about this. I knew how I had to be honest with you, though - and that I couldn't just lead you on. Are you sure you're okay with us remaining friends, Goldie."
"Yes, Ellen, I'm sure," Goldie Jr said, as he gently placed Ellen's hands into his. "Do you think I would throw away a lifetime of friendship, because our romance did not work out like we hoped it would? You should know me better than that, Ellen."
"No, I guess not," Ellen said, just as she grabbed a tissue to wipe the tears from her eyes. "It's just that few people seem to remain friends after breaking up. It's almost like they go from being romantic partners to becoming enemies, and I just could not stand to see that happen to us. I'm so sorry for doubting our friendship."
Goldie Jr just smiled encouragingly, as he helped Ellen up from the bench. The two of them then embraced. Haven was real happy to find out that everything worked out in the end. She was pleased to find out that Ellen finally had a smile on her face.