Chapter 21
by Dan Kirk
“I don’t understand.” Brandon said softly from further down the table. It had been several minutes of silence since Brian had gotten up to stare out the window. His dad was talking to him now in a hushed tone, but Brian was having a hard time listening from the tense stance he had taken. Brandon’s words drew my attention back to my old brown-haired friend. He was frowning as he looked at Brian. “Who was his Uncle Rich?”
“We…we suggested to Brian that he not share anything about Uncle Rich with his friends.” Mom B. said with a slight blush to her cheeks. Her words cut through me and explained how much pain Brian must have been in for the last two years. It took all my self-control to not get up and go hug him.
“Why?” Tyatya asked with an inquisitive look in her dark eyes.
“Rich was my brother and Brian’s favorite uncle.” Mom B said softly. “He passed away just after Christmas from AIDS.”
“Oh my god.” Mrs. Walker gasped in horror while several other adults reacted with indrawn breaths. I noticed Brian tense up again, and at the same time Brandon and Trevor look over at him with surprise, and…fear.
“We were worried that people might not…understand.” Mom B. continued softly. “You know back then, almost no one really knew anything about the disease and we were worried Brian might get picked on in school if other people knew he’d been at the quarantine hospital over Christmas.”
“I understand.” Dyadya said firmly. “Back then, many would have reacted out of fear instead of reason.”
“Brian has a queer uncle?” Trevor said with a look of shock on his face. That didn’t last long because Tyatya slapped him softly. She had a stern, reproving look on her face.
“You will not use such terms in front of me.” She told him angrily. “They are people too, just like you and me.”
“Mom, I didn’t mean it like that!” Trevor said defensively. “It’s just…that’s what everyone at school uses to describe…them.”
“You will not use it in front of me or anyone else or if I learn you have, you will be very, very sorry.” She fumed at her son. “That term is…nekulturny!”
“Da, mama.” Trevor said softly, lapsing into Russian.
“I didn’t know your family spoke Russian.” Brandon said softly, and I took the opportunity to move the subject away from something that was probably only hurting Brian even more.
“Well, today is the day for all the secrets to come out.” I said and quickly decided to backtrack when I saw a nervous glance between Brandon and Trevor. “Or at least the government secrets.”
“Very well, then, if you are sure it is okay with the government.” Mr. Rush said to me. I nodded and he sighed before continuing. “I was born Ivan Illianovich Ruskanov in the city now called Stalingrad. My wife, Marina Mikhailanova Zdarova was born in a suburb of Moscow. We met while attending Moscow State University. I was part of the Soviet Union’s hydrogen bomb team in the 1960’s. We managed to defect while on holiday in Europe and were given the home we have lived in for many years in Modesto. Our son Trevor was born there, and I have worked for the national nuclear laboratories since then.”
“Oh.” Mr. Walker remarked while I noticed both Dad B. and Brian turning around in astonishment. By unspoken agreement, they moved back to their chairs and sat down. I also noticed that when Brian sat down next to him, Brandon reached out and squeezed Brian’s arm in support. How Brian reacted surprised me, though, because he scowled instead of looking grateful. Brandon shrugged in apology and turned back to Trevor, who was looking a little pale as everyone stared at him and his family.
“For the biggest revelation of the day, the Walkers are really aliens from the planet Jubabub.” I said into the silence that permeated the room. Everyone turned to me for a moment with a look of incredulous surprise. It was Mr. Walker who burst out laughing that told everyone it was a joke. Soon enough, we were all laughing and the tension drained out of the room. Even Brian was smiling slightly. “Sorry, I have a weird sense of humor.”
“It is a good thing.” Mr. Rush said while still chuckling. “So, we have been brought all the way out here for the telling of secrets. They are now told. What happens next?”
“Next you get a sales pitch.” I said with a slight smile. Before continuing I got up and opened the door. Sure enough, Ridgeway had gotten the refreshment carts and papers from the Ops center. I was using him almost as a personal assistant, but then I’d had several of those in the last time line. He did have several air force stewards from the cafeteria standing by as well. “Why don’t you folks bring that stuff in?”
At my words, the two stewards brought in the carts filled with different beverages and some snacks. They quickly moved about the room while Ridgeway had a clerk from the General’s staff bring in another cart, this one loaded with several file folders all bearing the ‘Top Secret’ stamp and associated warning pages. I helped the clerk organize them in front of my chair while the stewards got everybody some refreshments. They even put a glass of Dr. Pepper down for me, and a chocolate croissant. In less than ten minutes, they were gone, although the refreshment carts remained in case anyone wanted something more.
“Feeding us before the slaughter?” Mr. Walker joked as he sipped on a cup of coffee. I smiled at his humor and shook my head.
“No, we’re just trying to sweeten the deal.” I said with a broad smile and began to hand out the folders. There were even copies for Brandon, Trevor, and Brian.
“Now I feel like James Bond.” Dad B. remarked as he used his good hand to open the folder. It had the stereotypical ‘TOP SECRET’ page in red and white on the front cover. He stopped before opening it to look at me. “If I open this folder now, do I become a secret agent?”
“No, but the warning on the cover page is real.” I said with a soft smile. “Mr. and Mrs. Rush have experience with what I’m about to discuss with you. It’s very similar to the program they entered when they defected. Basically, we cannot promise that another attempt like the one you went through yesterday won’t happen again. No matter where you live, the government will always offer whatever it can to help protect you from a repeat incident, but so long as the enemies of this country see you as a possible way of getting their hands on Do Over technology, or me, you will be a target for them.”
“You sure know how to make people glad they know you, or knew you, or whatever it is we know.” Mr. Walker said, but he was smiling so it was mostly a joke.
“It’s what you get for being such a nice guy, Mr. Walker.” I joked back, glad at least that I could joke with him. Brian’s reactions were something that was nagging at the back of my head, but if they accepted this proposal I’d have plenty of time to work on my relationship with him.
“Oh, gee, how nice.” Mr. Walker responded as I opened up to the first page of the folder. They all copied my gesture and I could see them reading through it briefly.
“You’re welcome, sir.” I said to Mr. Walker before returning to business. “This first page is the government’s commitment to do whatever they can to protect you and your families no matter where you live. As you can see, it has been signed by the President himself. This commitment will last for however long you will be threatened and will not be revoked unless you ask that it be retracted. If you later change your mind, it will be reinstated without prejudice.”
“What exactly do you mean by protected?” Dad B. asked slowly as he scanned through the document. “Are we going to have guards wherever we go?”
“No, sir.” I answered firmly. “Federal agents from several agencies will monitor your homes, and work and intervene if any suspicious activities take place. To be honest, this type of protection is low-level, and only slightly intrusive. However, it can’t provide guaranteed safety. Yesterday, the scientist who invents the technology for time travel sometime in the future was killed by his FBI watchers when Chinese agents managed to grab him and almost get away. Their orders were to prevent him from falling into Chinese hands at all costs, which won’t apply to you of course, but still, the point is the Chinese did manage to get a hold of him at the very place where Mr. Rush works.”
“Then how will this be any guarantee of safety?” Mr. Walker asked. “And if the man who invented time travel is dead, how come you’re still here?”
“Because he had already traveled back in time.” Dyadya answered carefully. “If the event already happened, when the line of time is changed, the event exists in a paradox but isn’t negated.”
“Paradox theory always gives me a headache.” I added with a rueful look. “I just let it go at ‘this is the way it works’ and don’t bother with all the underlying theories. As for the guarantee of safety, Mr. Walker, there isn’t and cannot be any absolute guarantee. The best we, or anyone can offer is varying degrees of protection. To be honest, Modesto and its surrounding areas are just too big to offer complete security, or even a high level of security. Eventually it is going to be noticed and remarked on. In the last time line, I had Secret Service agents following me around while I went to school and that was barely explained away as my being a personal friend of the President and someone who had received numerous death threats. Eventually I was moved to a private academy in Washington D.C. where I finished out my high school years.”
“So you’re going to want us to move to Washington?” Trevor asked me with a raised eyebrow. I’d forgotten how handsome he’d been at this age.
“No, actually, we’d like you to accept an invitation to move here.” I said with a smile and was surprised at the angry expression on Brian’s face.
“What, you want us to give up our lives back in Modesto so you can be our bud?” Brian said angrily.
“No, I would have preferred that this incident never happened to any of you in the first place.” I retorted hotly. “Unfortunately, it has happened and there’s nothing I can do to change it.”
“Yes there is.” Brian shot back with his dark brows furrowed. “You can go back in time again. My father was shot yesterday!”
“There’s only one problem with that.” I said softly while meeting my former husband’s angry gaze. “There is no time machine in the here and now, and the technology to build one won’t exist for another ten years.”
“You’re lying.” Brian retorted.
“I’m telling you the truth.” I shot back.
“Brian, settle down.” Mom B. ordered firmly. “I believe him when he says he’s telling the truth.”
“So I have to believe him too?” Brian shot back at her, but a firm look from his father silenced him.
“Please, go on, Mr. Jones.” Dad B. said to me.
“Please, call me Davey.” I responded and swept the room with my eyes. “That goes for all of you, please call me Davey. Brian, if I had a choice, I’d have chosen to stay in Modesto, but unlike you I really didn’t have a choice. In the last time line, I swore an oath as a Naval Officer and going back in time doesn’t negate the responsibilities of that oath. That’s how the government was able to pretty much order me to move out here for my own safety. The same principles that make this a safer place for me apply to your situation as well. Again, the difference is that this is your choice to make. You do not, either as a group or as individual families, have to agree to this move. It is up to each of your families to make this decision in whatever way you are most comfortable with.”
“Okay, go on.” Mr. Walker said and I flipped to the second page, followed immediately by the rest of them.
“Eureka provides a number of advantages for security that are not found in California, or even in Washington itself.” I continued in as casual a tone as I could. “With the facilities here on this base, it’s possible to monitor and close off any traffic in or out of town in case of hostile activities. A Rapid Response Force is maintained in town and can secure your safety quickly. Short of an all-out invasion of the continental United States, you will be as secure here as is humanly possible.
“At the same time, you will be able to have a life that is relatively free of government control. The school here is excellent, with some of the best teachers available. A majority of the students go on to colleges from here and the student/teacher ratio is approximately twelve to one. In the past two years, the county has doubled in population thanks to the creation of this base, and a number of job opportunities and business opportunities are available in the fields each of your families currently work in. If you want to change fields, there are many other opportunities. As part of this package, the government will provide salary guarantees equal to your current income. What that means is that if your income here is less than what you made in Modesto, you’ll receive a monthly compensation check bringing you back up to that level. If you make more, the government will not pay anything, but you will also not owe anything beyond the normal taxes.”
“No break from the tax man?” Dad B. joked and I smiled at his jest.
“No, sir, even I have to pay my taxes.” I assured him and he nodded. “If any of you are interested in farming or ranching, or starting up a small business, the government will insure no-cost, no-interest loans for you. This relocation package will last for the rest of your lives, or so long as you remain in Eureka. Any proceeds from the sale of property in Modesto will be yours to keep, and if you choose to leave Eureka at some future date, any sale of real property purchased with the government loans will also be yours to keep so long as you repay your loans.”
“This is a very generous offer, but what about our kids?” Mrs. Walker asked.
“All of your kids, including your older son who is in college right now, will receive full-ride scholarships to the colleges of their choice, even Harvard or Yale if they have the grades to get in.” I answered. Those would be coming out of my pocket, something I’d insisted on. “They will have no service obligation for these scholarships, and they won’t have to be repaid in any way, shape, or form. If there is still a continued danger, they will also be provided security protection at their colleges.
“I know this will sound presumptuous, but I believe that you will all like it here.” I finished off the sales pitch by leaning forward and meeting everyone’s eyes. “Last time, I went dirt biking a lot with Brian, Trevor, and Brandon. Here, you can go up biking in the mountains or go horseback riding up there at the drop of a hat. The people are nice, friendly folks. The school has football starting next year, as well as basketball, track and baseball now. Brian, there’s several people who are interested in starting a wrestling team, but they don’t have anyone with your skills. It is a small town, so there aren’t as many conveniences as Modesto, but they make up for it in different ways.”
“This sounds interesting, but I’d want to see the place first.” Mr. Walker said and his words got nods from everyone except for Brian, who sulked in his chair. His reaction told me just how worried they were about everything that had happened, and I felt a twinge of guilt. Still, I had to tell myself that I wasn’t to blame directly for things.
“I’m glad to hear you say that, sir.” I said with a genuine smile. “We’ve arranged a tour of the base facilities here this afternoon, and tonight we’re showing Return of the Jedi in the base’s entertainment center. Quarters have been prepared for all of you while you make your decisions, and of course the General has invited all of you to the officer’s mess for dinner. We have also arranged escorts to help you find your way around. Tomorrow morning, my father and Colonel Kowalski will take all of you on a tour of the town and surrounding areas.”
“That is acceptable.” Mr. Rush said slowly. I smiled and stood up, picking up the folder as I did so.
“I am glad to hear that, sir.” I said. “Please, keep these folders until you’ve had a chance to see everything. There’s more detailed information about the town, local stores, housing availability, school performance not only for the High School, but the Grammar School as well. You’ll also find information about the different jobs in the area that match your current positions, or at least are close to a match. Last, you’ll find contact numbers for base personnel. If you have any laundry needs, let your escorts know. We do have a full medical center here on base as well, if it’s needed for anything.”
“Are you going on this tour with us?” Brandon asked as he stood up.
“Unfortunately, I have to go get my butt chewed out by a General.” I answered. “One of the bad things about being here is that I’m not expected to make mistakes, and when I do I get to hear it from my father, from the General, and just about any other officer who thinks he can get away with it.”
“I thought you were a friend of the President.” Mom B. stated with a smile. “Doesn’t that mean you can get away with anything?”
“Ma’am, you’ve never met President Reagan in person.” I said gently. “His expectations are even worse and if he gets wind of my mess-ups, he’ll join in on the ‘chew Davey out’ line.”
“What was your mess-up?” Trevor asked with a glint of amusement in his eyes.
“When I left the school yesterday during the alert, I clipped the radio to by belt but it wasn’t securely fastened and fell off during the initial rush of activity.” I answered. “One of my friends saw that happen, grabbed it and brought it to the base with him when he was evacuated out a little bit later.”
“Oh.” Trevor said by way of response as I moved to open the door. Ridgeway was standing there with his golden surfer-boy hair perfectly in place and smiling at me. His ice-blue eyes hinted at some amusement that I’d have to remember to ask him about later. Two other Air Force enlisted men were standing at either side of the door. They weren’t carrying rifles, just side arms in holsters, which was something I was glad to see.
“Are we ready to take them on a tour?” I asked Ridgeway.
“Yes, we are.” Ridgeway said. “Are you going to be able to get along without me around while I give them a tour?”
“Sure.” I answered and he nodded while I turned back to the group that had moved to stand in a cluster behind me. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Petty Officer First Class Kevin Ridgeway of the United States Navy. He’ll be giving you a tour of the base today.”
“I thought this was an Air Force Base.” Tyatya said and Kevin smiled at me giving the hand signal to move out of the way before meeting her gaze.
“It is an Air Force base, as I’ll show you if you’ll follow me.” Kevin said quickly but with a very friendly tone. “It’s also been designated what is known as a ‘Joint Services Facility’. What that means is that there are also programs based here that are run by or for the other services. One of those is for Special Operations Forces…”
His voice faded out as he led the group towards the main stairs followed by the two Air Force personnel who brought up the rear. There were too many of them to fit in the elevator, which meant I could take it. Sure, it was only early afternoon, but I was tired already. The General had mentioned this morning that I’d forgotten the radio and he wanted to speak to me about that and some other things. Yeah, I’d get a little lecture, but I’d played it up for my old friends. While I waited for the elevator, I was shocked to feel someone behind me.
“Do you mind if I tag along?” Brian asked as I turned around, ready for just about anything. It took me a moment to recover from the surprise, and the elevator door chimed open. For a moment, I considered blasting him for startling me and insisting he catch up to his group – but something stopped me. This was Brian.
“It’d be my pleasure.” I said softly and stood aside while making a grand gesture towards the elevator. “After you.”
“Uh, thanks.” He said as he moved into the elevator. I followed him and pushed the button for the ground floor. The doors closed and the elevator began its smooth ride down. “Where are we going?”
“The Operations Center.” I answered.
“Can I really get in there?” Brian asked with a hint of excitement.
“Today, with me, yes you can.” I said. “Just don’t ever mention it to anyone outside of the group of friends and family that were upstairs.”
“Do you have any friends here?” He asked me as the elevator doors opened on the ground floor and I walked out. Brian followed me as I headed around the corner and towards the less-obvious secure elevator to the Ops Center.
“Yes.” I answered him as we walked. “I’ve got a large circle of friends, and a few close friends.”
“Do any of them know about you?” Brian asked me while casting furtive glances around to make sure we weren’t being overheard.
“Yes, my close friends know about me.” I answered and proceeded to tell him how Derek, David, and Sam had found out. That story actually got him to smile as I punched in the access code for the elevator. When it opened, two Air Force enlisted women got out and gave Brian odd looks, but didn’t say anything as we got in. It took another code to get it to go to the right sub-level. I finished the story as the elevator reached the correct sub-floor. As we exited, he stopped just outside the doors to the command center and put his hand on my arm.
“Would you abandon them to move somewhere safer?” He asked me with
a worried look on his face.
“I wouldn’t like doing it, but yes.” I answered. “Especially
if being around them would put them in a danger they would not otherwise be
in.”
“Oh.” Brian said and his brows furrowed as he thought about what I’d said. When I entered the double doors to the darkly-lit command center, the only doors on this floor besides two that led to a supply closet and the electrical cabinet, Brian followed. He let out a very low whistle at the high-tech center. Truth be told, it was more high-tech than what existed on most bases, and had been built with an eye towards technological advances of the future. Already, it had been upgraded to include a new secure communication system, a new long-range radio system, and of course the new display computers.
“I see you brought a friend, Mr. Jones.” General Barstow said from near the central table. As we approached I saw that it was currently showing the local area.
“Yes, General Barstow, this is Brian Breckenridge.” I said cautiously. It seemed on the surface that the General wasn’t upset by Brian being here. “Brian, this is General Barstow, the commanding officer of this facility.”
“It’s good to meet you, son.” Barstow said as he put out his hand for Brian to shake. Brian took it and shook it once before releasing it.
“Sir.” Brian said aloud.
“David, I won’t tell you this again, but do not loose the radio next time.” The General said firmly and I nodded. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Brian smirking.
“I won’t sir.” I answered a little sheepishly.
“Good, now, tell me what you think about this.” The General asked as he motioned to one of the technicians. At his signal, the board changed slightly and I examined it as it played out. When it had finished I let out a sigh.
“Glider attack… that would be hard to defend against.” I said after thinking about it for a moment.
“What?” Brian asked.
“The simulation was of a glider full of armed men coming in on a low, slow profile and landing in the school’s football field.” I explained for Brian, tracing the route with my finger. “Radar wouldn’t pick it up until it was almost landing, and that would allow the troops to get in the school before the Rapid Response Force had time to deploy. The best answer would be to put a camera here, in one of the cemeteries on the backside. It would allow confirmation that it was a glider instead of a bird.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Barstow said with an approving nod. He caught Brian’s eyes and nodded towards the board. “We are constantly worried about security here. If you and your family move here, you’ll be included in the security consideration.”
“I see.” Brian said as he got another thoughtful look on his face. Brian’s visit down here might have been unexpected, but Barstow had taken full advantage of it to push our case.
“General, get in touch with Mr. Kettlebaum.” I suggested. “He’s the caretaker of the Jewish cemetery this year and would help get a camera set up there. That’s probably the best cemetery to use both for position and camouflage. They have those two mausoleums that would be perfect for hiding a camera or two inside.”
“Good idea.” Barstow said. Eureka had five cemeteries: one for the Jewish folks, another for the Chinese, one for Protestants, one for Catholics, and one for ‘colored’ people. It was a weird set-up, but they had been there for over a hundred years like that and nobody seemed to mind. “Your father also wanted me to tell you that he’s going to have that new double-wide you guys ordered for the mobile home park sent out here instead. He said he could get another one in before the tenant’s move-in date and you can use this one now. We’ve got an available space in officer country for it, and he’ll also send out the model furniture you guys just replaced. It’s all in good shape according to him.”
“Thanks, General.” I said with a nod. Maybe it would have been better if Bryan hadn’t heard that part, because he looked at me with a questioning glance. There was nothing to do but sigh and explain. “My mother is upset about losing her parents and family. She doesn’t want me around right now so I’m moving on the base until she calms down.”
“That must suck.” Brian said softly and for a moment there was a look of sympathy on his face. That caused me to wonder what Sean had meant about them being so different. Sure, there were little things that were different, but this was how the Brian I knew would react to someone he knew even vaguely going through a rough time.
“Yeah, but it’s life.” I said with a shrug. “Yesterday’s events were bound to have some side effects and repercussions.”
“Dude, you really are a grown up.” Brian said with a short bark of laughter. Barstow was grinning slightly at that and I ended up smiling.
“So, you want a special tour of the place?” I asked Brian who nodded quickly. “General, anything else you need me for?”
“No, just be sure to check in with Colonel Kowalski after dinner, and
don’t forget your other friends. They’ve been getting bored all
afternoon.”
“Sounds like we need to head to the range.” I said with a grin and
motioned with my head for Brian to follow me out. Walking beside him, talking
with him was like a salve on a wound I hadn’t really known existed. It
was like falling in step with the past, the way things should be.
“I have a question.” Brian said as we took the elevator back up to the ground floor. His statement surprised me a little, but I nodded for him to continue with his question. “You mentioned that the soldiers came and got you out of the school, and you mentioned that the… stuff in Modesto is going to be explained as gang activity seeking revenge for one of their guys quarantined for that disease.”
“Yes.” I agreed as we exited the elevator and I led us out of the building. I set a course along the walkway towards the armory. Brian had enjoyed going to the gun range with me in the last time line, and I was willing to bet he’d enjoy it now.
“Well, when those soldiers went to pick you up, did they grab the rest of your family as well?” Brian asked and I actually stopped to stare at him. His question was a good one, and it was just the kind of question my Brian would have asked. It reminded me that he really was my Brian, despite the differences.
“We’ll have to come up with some reason because Mom was there as well.” I said after thinking for a moment.
“So you aren’t perfect after all.” Brian said softly and I smiled at him broadly. Yep, he really was similar to my Brian. The blissful moment was interrupted by a still-irate Mr. Mulkey bearing down on us.
“I want to talk to you!” Mr. Mulkey said impatiently as he came toward us from inside the Admin Building. “I’ve been waiting to see someone for two hours!”
“What can I do for you, Mr. Mulkey?” I asked him with as much patience as I could muster.
“When are you military idiots going to let me out of here?” He demanded. “The schools are closed today because of your mess and I need to be there before they open tomorrow! You know we’re going to have to hold a town meeting about this! I’ve already called several parents and they’re very upset about men with guns coming into the school!”
“Mr. Mulkey, they likely won’t be open tomorrow anyway.” I said as contritely as I could. That cut him off short. “General Barstow is going to hold a Town Hall Meeting tomorrow afternoon to let everyone know what happened and to answer any of their concerns.”
“You mean what they want people to think happened.” Derek’s father countered and I let out a sigh.
“What they will think happened is what happened as far as any of us are concerned, sir.” I reminded him. “We cannot act in any way that runs counter to that.”
“I know that, but if you think these people are dumb hicks that you can just fool…” He started ranting and I forced myself to interrupt him as nicely as possible.
“Sir, this is a discussion you should be having with the General, not one of your students.” I said with a smile. That cut him off short and he glared at me for a moment before going back inside.
“Dude, who the hell was that?” Brian asked with a chortle of humor.
“The father of a close friend and Superintendent of the school district.” I answered Brian’s question quickly as I turned back towards the armory. He matched my pace easily.
“So what’s he all pissed about?” Brian asked.
“Yesterday, I got pulled out of the school by armed soldiers.” I said. “But that’s not really what’s bugging him. He’s a control freak and… well, you remember how my close friends found out I traveled back in time? My friends got told that part while their parents were told they were not cleared to learn the details of my involvement with the government and Mr. Mulkey hasn’t really liked me since.”
“Dude, I hate assholes like that.” Brian said with derision. “The Principal at Downey, Mr. Borsch, he’s an asshole, always going on about this or that. I was thinking if we did come out here, which I don’t want to do, I’d at least get away from that asshole.”
“Don’t worry, Mulkey ain’t around the school much.”
My reply caused Brian to nod a little. “Just be glad old Bitner left.
That man was a class ‘A’ asshole in the extreme. Mulkey had to fire
his ass last year after he tried to make up some bullshit about me and Derek
cheating.”
[this wasn’t covered in any of the chapters that I could find]
“Why would he say that?” Brian asked as we rounded the corner and
headed down the road to the armory.
“Derek and I have the top grades in the school.” I said with a shrug. “Add in the fact that he and I are also on just about every sports team the school has, well, he said there was no way we had enough time to earn such high grades.”
“But you’ve already been through school so you know all this stuff.” Brian reasoned.
“Only partially correct.” I stated. “I still have to do the homework, the essays, and take the tests. Some of this stuff I know real well, but crap like dates in history and stuff, well it’s not something I used much as an adult.”
“That must suck like mad.” Brian said with a chuckle. “I have a bad enough time as it is making it through some of my classes. Going through them a second time makes me want to puke.”
“Me too, at time.” I admitted. “The only problem is if I don’t, then I won’t… I don’t know… I won’t belong with people my age. I won’t have the friends like I did before and that would be worse than having to do tests over again.”
“I guess that would suck more.” Brian agreed as we reached the armory. The guard outside nodded at me as I walked in with Brian, and the armorer on duty just gave me the paperwork necessary when I told him what I wanted. The sounds from the range told me there were a few people making use of the free range time this morning. When I collected the weapons, the boxes of ammo and spare magazines, Brian just stared open eyed before following me into the range area. It was actually an open-air range with an earth bulwark as a backstop and paper targets that could be sent downrange by a pulley.
“Put these on.” I told Brian as I put the weapons down on a free firing position and pointed to some hearing and eye protection hanging nearby. He did as I told him and stood by while I checked the weapons. The Air Force still used the M1911 .45 caliber pistol, which was my favorite weapon. After checking both weapons, I grabbed another set of ear and eye protection. I didn’t quite put them on, but hung the ear protectors around my neck while putting the goggles on my forehead. Brian watched in fascination while I explained the workings of the gun to him and then showed him how to load the magazines. I knew he’d only used rifles, never pistols and he seemed excited by them. When they were loaded, I explained the range procedures to him and helped him get his stance right. He grinned at me a minute later as we brought back the target and it showed one round near the bull’s eye and four more in the ‘three’ ring.
He really was pretty good, but I sent down another target and opened fire. He frowned at the cluster of rounds all in the bull’s eye.
“I practice every week.” I said with a shrug. Brian just nodded and indicated he was ready to try again, so we sent another target downrange for him to shoot. Over the next hour we shot the entire box of ammunition and in between shots we talked about what it was like living out here.
I had a distinct advantage in talking about these things with Brian. After living with him, being a part of his life for so long in the last time line I knew what would appeal to him most at this age and I used that knowledge. By the time we had finished the ammunition, I knew he was seriously considering life out here. I’d even used the allegory of being a big fish in a little pond to appeal to his competitive nature.
“There’s just one thing that still bugs me about moving out here.” Brian said softly as we went back inside the armory. We had to clean the weapons, and I was showing him how to take the pistols apart while we spoke.
“What’s that?” I asked after showing him how to find and remove the firing pin.
“Was… in that last life you talked about… was I married?” Brian asked with a hint of concern in his voice. His piercing blue eyes caught mine and I felt like the proverbial ‘deer in the headlights’. This was an important moment I knew. I could tell him the truth about us, and if Sean was right, he’d freak out. I also knew he was dating a girl right now, and the thoughts that must be going through his head.
“Yes, you were married.” I answered honestly, reaching a compromise within myself. He let out a slight sigh and I continued quickly. “You were happily married to the same person, no divorce, no separation, no unhappy marriage or anything like that.”
“Was… is it Marcie?” He asked, naming the girl he was dating right now.
“No, it wasn’t.” I answered honestly and his shoulders slumped slightly as he looked down at the disassembled pistol. “I… I don’t think it would be right for me to tell you who you married, but I think it’s okay to tell you that moving to Eureka won’t endanger you meeting that person.”
“That answers that.” He said softly, with a strong hint of sadness. At that moment, I was certain he’d chosen to tell his parents he was willing to move out here.
Why it gave me a nagging little sliver of worry, I wasn’t quite sure.
