by Kat, Bob
Scott pulled his backpack up on his lap and unbuckled it. Sand poured out of the creases as he flipped the top over. He pulled out three pieces of paper and passed one to Austin and one to Kelly.
“What’s this for?” Austin asked.
“This discovery is even more powerful than the Spirit Radio that’s been around for eighty years and lots of people have claimed to have heard. But time travel? No one has done it, and we have to be very mature and responsible about this. If someone who meant to cause harm would go back and alter the past, who knows what could happen.”
“I wouldn’t even trust the government with this. They are already trying to rewrite history, and they could really screw things up with this,” Kelly commented.
“I agree. No one outside this circle can ever find out about this. I think we should have a signed contract between us of what we can and cannot do.”
Kelly began to read the contract out loud. “We the undersigned do hereby agree to the following time travel rules:
1. We will do nothing during or after our time travel missions that would cause any personal gains, i.e. stock market, collectible toys and comic books.
2. We will not take anything with us not critical to the success of the mission to the past or anything from the past to the present day.
3. We also agree not to change anything of significance that would alter historical events.
4. We agree not to tell anyone that this technology exists or about any of our missions and this includes our family.
5. We will use this technology only to help other people and not for frivolous or personal means.
6. We will interact as little as possible with people from the past so as to not create any suspicion.
7. We will always travel together.
“Does this mean we can’t go back and keep Lincoln from going to the theater or block the entrances to the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11th?” Austin asked, wondering about the boundaries.
“That’s exactly what it means. We can’t change major events in history. That would cause chaos,” Scott explained.
“But it would right things that were very wrong,” Kelly pointed out.
“Yes, but it would change everything that happened since. What seems like a tragedy might have had something positive or powerful result because of it. You’ve heard of the butterfly effect? Well, we can’t disrupt what is supposed to happen.”
“Then how will we help Wendy?” Kelly asked.
“We’ll find out when we get there. She hasn’t been very specific,” Scott said. “I’ve already signed mine.” He showed them his contract. “Here’s a pen, Kelly.” He flipped the pen over to her.
“Sounds reasonable . . . all things considered.” Kelly signed the form and passed the pen back to Austin.
Austin sat there for a minute. “Okay,” He signed his form and returned it and the pen to Scott.
“I’ve been making a list of stuff we need to take with us, you know, extra cell phone batteries, money that will work in 1966. I’ve got that covered with my coin collection.”
“Oh no, you can’t take that,” Kelly cried. “That’s for your college.”
“I’ve got some coins and bills that aren’t really collectible that I’m willing to donate for the cause,” he reassured her, then continued, “All of us should take what we’ll need for a few days.”
“I can’t be gone for a few days,” Austin objected. “I have a job. Plus, my dad would flip out.”
“Neither can I.” Kelly shook her head.
“Wait, wait . . . that won’t be a problem. All we have to do is set the app for exactly the moment we leave, so we’ll be back before anyone misses us.”
“That’s too weird.” Austin squinted one eye in disbelief.
“Have I been wrong yet?”
“Not wrong . . . just surprising . . . very surprising.” Kelly raised her eyebrows and looked at Austin.
“So, when is this going to happen?” Austin asked.
“Tomorrow night. I’ll set our arrival so that we’ll have three full days to get things together. I figure if we get here around 10 p.m., the beach will be deserted.”
Kelly and Austin exchanged alarmed looks. Neither had expected it to happen so soon. But then, why wait? Neither of them believed it was really going to work anyway. They both, secretly, still believed that Violet was hiding in the weeds.
“One more thing I did was put together a package about 1966 that we can study today or tonight . . . what words kids use, TV shows, music and all that. We need to fit in and get close to Wendy and figure out what happened to her without anyone getting suspicious.”
“You really are a great planner Scott,” Kelly said as she glanced over the pages. “This will come in handy.”
“And no one will know we’re gone . . . you’re sure?” Austin repeated.
“Absolutely.”
Neither Austin nor Kelly appeared comforted.
“Come on guys . . . trust me.”
They stood up, brushed their clothes and hair off. Scott stood back, extended his hand out, palm down . . . and waited. ”Come on now.”
Kate and Austin stacked their hands on his.
“What are we yelling?” Scott asked.
“How about Travelers?” Austin suggested.
“One, two, three, Travelers!” Their hands went up in the air, and the team was launched.
The drive back to their neighborhood was quiet. They stopped for lunch at McDonalds. Kelly felt like everyone in line was looking at her like she was a migrant worker. When she visited the restroom she saw why. She looked like she had been rolling on the beach or sleeping under the pier. Even Homeless Dan hadn’t looked this bad. She combed through her hair with her fingers and washed her face and hands. She was definitely going to have to find a way to clean up better than this when they travelled tomorrow. Ha, she thought, like they were really going to travel back in time.
After lunch, Austin parked the stallion in the street, and they walked through the yard to Scott’s lab.
“Listen, I’ve got to get some zzz’s before work, and I need to grab a shower first.”
“I’d love to take a swim, but I’d clog the filter. I think I’ll shower first, too. I want to make sure my hair is clean for our trip tomorrow.” Kelly smiled.
“Why don’t we meet here about six tonight and brainstorm a plan on what to do when we get there?” Scott suggested.
“Good idea,” Austin said. “Late.”
“Yeah.” Kelly waved and followed Austin to the sidewalk where she split away and went to her house.
THEY WERE NOTHING if not prompt . . . a good trait to have when you’re traveling through time.
“Hey,” Scott greeted her as he turned away from his white board. “Austin is on his way.”
As if on cue, the lab door opened and Austin walked in. “Did I miss anything?”
“Just getting started,” Kelly told him as she settled on one of the barstools in front of the workbench.
“So, what’s the plan Einstein?” Austin pulled up one of the other barstools and sat down. He and Kelly focused on Scott expectantly.
“Okay, I’m pretty confident I can get us there and back. We’ll hit the beach four nights before the Friday night she was killed.”
Austin looked at Kelly and rolled his eyes back. “Pretty confident?”
“Hit the beach?” she repeated unenthusiastically.
“Poor choice of words,” Scott looked up from the list in his hands. “I’m very confident, and hopefully, our landing on the beach will be cushioned by sand. Apparently, it’ll be messy, but we can clean up.”
“Where?” Kelly asked, suddenly realizing that they wouldn’t have any families to go home to each night. “And where will we sleep?”
“I’ve been researching that, and we’ll be able to stay at a motel. They were really cheap back then. We can actually get two rooms for less than $20 a night.”
Kelly hadn’
t travelled much, so she didn’t react, but Austin looked horrified. “$10 a night per room! Does it have a bed? A TV? Cable?”
“Yes on the bed, probably on the TV and no on the cable. They didn’t have cable in the area yet.”
“Holy crap. I’m going to miss The Walking Dead,” Austin moaned.
“No you won’t. We’ll be back the same day . . . sort of. Besides, you’ll have a chance to see first run Star Trek episodes and Man From U.N.C.L.E. and even The Monkees. No wait, that’s on Monday night, and we won’t be there on a Monday.”
“The original Star Trek? Really? That’s way cool.” Austin was clearly impressed.
“It was the first season. But that’s not what we’re here to talk about,” Scott said, trying to get their attention. “We’ve got to figure out a way to get close to Wendy without arousing her suspicions.”
“Too bad we can’t pretend to be students,” Kelly offered. “Then we could just bump into her in class or in the hall between classes.”
“That’s exactly what we have to do . . . become students,” Scott exclaimed.
“But how? I can’t even get into this school without shot records and grades and test scores,” Kelly said.
“You heard what Mrs. Carter said. Back then school records weren’t computerized. Maybe we could just fill out some forms and they’d let us stay. By the time they figure out we don’t belong, we’ll be gone,” Austin figured.
“If we can’t get into the school, then we’ll have to do it all after school . . . like go to the game, follow her around . . . do whatever and hope she doesn’t get freaked out because we’re stalking her,” Kelly said. Even to her own ears, the idea sounded kind of farfetched.
They continued to toss around options until the lab door opened and Lilly came running in. “Scott, have you seen Violet?”
Scott glanced at Kelly, knowing this was a true test of his character in front of his new friend. “Violet? Not since this morning. I’m sure she’s not here in the lab. Have you looked in all her usual hiding places?”
Lilly’s eyes filled with tears as she nodded. “I’ve looked everywhere.”
“We’ll all look for Violet . . . tomorrow . . . won’t we guys?” Kelly hurried to say.
“I hope you find her. She’s the bestest turtle in the world.” Lilly broke into sobs and ran out of the lab.
“Jeez, that makes me feel bad.” Scott sank back on his stool. “We’ve got to find that turtle.”
“How far could she go?” Kelly pointed out. “Turtles move pretty slow.”
“We’ll find her,” Austin agreed. “Or we’ll come up with a reasonable facsimile.”
“A fake Violet?” Kelly asked.
“Face it, they all look the same. All we have to do is glue some jewels on its back.” Austin held his hands up like it was no big deal.
Scott began to write on the white board. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, old money, chargers, batteries, notebook, ink pens . . . They continued adding to the list until they had more than could fit in both Scott’s and Austin’s backpacks.
“Seems like a pretty good list,” Kelly said as she copied down her part of the supplies.
Austin leaned forward in his chair and studied them closely. “If we’re going to be there for any time at all, we don’t have clothes that will fit in.”
“I figured we would go to the Salvation Army store and buy stuff,” Scott said as he circled the old money words on the white board.
“We could look in some of those boxes of my grandma’s old clothes. Maybe we could find a couple of things there and save some money,” Kelly suggested.
“Good idea. We’ll come over tomorrow and check them out,” Austin agreed.
“What time tomorrow?” Kelly asked.
They looked at each other solemnly, as if they had just realized the magnitude of their adventure. “Well, tomorrow’s the big day. Better get some sleep tonight. Who knows what time we’ll get to bed tomorrow. But right now, I’ve got to get to work. Wouldn’t want to get fired the night before I disappear.” Austin stood up and turned to leave. Kelly and Scott followed him through the gate and to the front yard.
“So, we’re really doing this?” Kelly asked.
“Looks like it,” Scott confirmed. They all nodded, then split off to go to their own homes.
Kelly locked the front door behind her and was going to slip upstairs and go straight to her room. For once, she was so distracted, she wasn’t even thinking about grabbing a late snack. But as she passed the kitchen, her aunt called out.
“Kelly, do you have a minute? I think we need to have a talk.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
All sorts of things raced through Kelly’s mind as she hesitated just outside the kitchen doorway. Had she done something wrong? Had she forgotten to do the dishes or make her bed? Had her aunt somehow found out about their plans? But it was obvious her aunt was aware Kelly was home. There was no putting off whatever it was that needed to be discussed.
“Sure.” Kelly took a deep breath and tried to look as innocent as possible as she walked into the kitchen.
Her aunt was sitting at her favorite place at the bar. She had a half-full glass of lemonade and her laptop on the granite countertop. Her reading glasses had slid down to the end of her nose, and she looked over the top of them at Kelly as she gingerly sat on the bar stool at the other end.
Aunt Jane’s smile wasn’t reflected in her eyes. In fact, she looked really nervous and unsettled. Kelly had never seen her aunt acting quite like that.
“Is anything wrong?” Kelly asked with growing alarm.
“Probably. I mean, I’m sure everything’s okay. But I feel like it’s my duty, as your guardian, to have this talk with you.”
This sounded bad. Kelly hoped her aunt wasn’t sending her away or something awful like that. Was her aunt regretting letting Kelly come live here? Was it too much of a burden? Kelly resolved to be more helpful around the house. She suddenly realized how desperately she wanted to stay here. It wasn’t home . . . yet. But she didn’t want to live anywhere else.
“I’m sorry if I’ve been too much trouble,” she rushed to say. “I’ll try to . . .”
“Oh no, it’s nothing like that.” Her aunt looked startled that Kelly had thought that. “It’s just that looking at you last night, I realized that you’re quite grown up. I mean, you’re going to be sixteen next week.”
Kelly was silent, but she didn’t relax. She still had no idea where this conversation was going.
I’m very glad you’ve made friends so quickly, but watching those two boys around you last night . . . well, I thought we’d better have the talk.” Her aunt’s cheeks were much pinker than normal.
“The talk?” Kelly’s eyes widened. “Oh, you mean the talk?”
“Yes, the talk about sex. I didn’t know if your mother had ever gotten around to it.”
“Well, yes, she did. We had a book about reproduction as part of my health section.”
Her aunt heaved a relieved sigh. “Oh good. Do you have any questions about . . . anything?”
“Yeah, why would you think I needed the talk because of Scott and Austin?”
“I noticed how they were looking at you last night. They were very aware that you’re a mature young lady.”
Kelly blinked. “Scott and Austin?” She couldn’t believe they were talking about the same two boys.
“Yes, Scott and Austin. They never left your side. I just don’t want you to rush into something too quickly. You’re young, and you have a long time before you want to confine yourself to just one boy. At your age, you should have fun and enjoy friendships with everyone. It’s so sad to see girls get involved with one boy and miss out on getting to know lots of people.”
“My mother started dating my dad when they were in high school, and that turned out really well,” Kelly pointed out.
“Yes, but their relationship was one in a thousand. Look at me. I married while I was still in college, and then I worked
to help my husband get his Ph.D. As soon as he did, he decided he didn’t want to be married anymore.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
Jane shrugged. “I don’t talk about it much. I thought I was in love, but I guess I was wrong. And actually, I wasn’t all that sorry to see him go. By the time we both got our degrees and established our careers, we realized we were different people. We married too young, before we had developed our personalities. The one thing we had in common, our ambition, wasn’t enough to make a happy marriage. That’s why I don’t want you to make a mistake . . . or get too involved too soon.”
Kelly frowned as she considered all she had heard. She thought her aunt was way off base about Scott and Austin being interested in her . . . in that way. They were just friends. But she appreciated her aunt’s concern. “I promise I’ll be careful. I’ve had a couple boyfriends from church, but I’ve never been on an actual date. I’m not going to rush into anything. Besides, I really don’t think Scott and Austin even realize I’m a girl.”
“I can assure you, they do,” her aunt stated. “But maybe the bro code will keep them from acting on it.”
“The bro code?”
“When two friends like the same girl, there’s a silent agreement that neither of them can date her,” her aunt explained.
“Oh.” Kelly didn’t know what to say about that. It gave her plenty to think about.
“Whew, I’m glad we got that out of the way,” her aunt said as she snapped shut her laptop. “I’m going to turn in early tonight. I’ve got a busy day tomorrow.”
Kelly almost said, me too, but instead she said, “Thanks for your advice. But I’m in no hurry to get serious about anyone.”
“Good.” Her aunt’s relief was palpable. “Night.” Jane put her glass in the dishwasher and, with her laptop tucked under her arm, she headed toward her room, making her rounds of checking the locks on the front and back doors on the way.
Kelly turned off all the lights and went to her room. She had taken a short nap that afternoon, so she wasn’t really sleepy. Instead, she puttered around her room, gathering all the things she thought she might need for a few days in a rugged duffle bag she had used to carry things when she had taken Scarlett out for a long ride. She didn’t have a backpack because she had never had to carry her books outside her house to school. She decided she would look for one the next time she went shopping.