Excerpt: Back to the Youth

March 22, 1986
11:30 AM PST

Marty really felt nervous, as he followed the others to the front door. As soon as Doc opened the door. Marty was very shocked, as he couldn't believe who he saw. It was someone who he cared rather deeply about, but who he hadn't seen in a long time. It was a little too much for him to take. He was so overwhelmed with various emotions.

"Grandma Stella!" gasped Marty, just as he ran to wrap his arms around his beloved grandmother. "Oh, Grandma Stella!" repeated Marty, as he began to cry. He buried his head into his grandmother's shoulder, as he wept. "I can't believe that it's you!"

"Well, sweetheart," murmured Grandma Stella, as she was taken aback. "Whatever is the matter? I haven't gone anywhere. You can simply visit me, anytime. You're acting like you haven't seen me... for many years. What is it, Marty? What's troubling you?"

Marty simply didn't know what to say. It's been over a decade, since his grandmother died. Her death sure brought him into great depression, it was what really lead to him to drinking heavily and very irresponsibly - which lasted for a little over a year. It was what brought about the darkest periods of time of his life, and he grew to regret it.

"I'm not very sure what's gotten into him," replied Doc. "He was acting the same way, yesterday - when he saw Einie. He quite acted like he hadn't seen Einie for a... a long time. I know that, yesterday afternoon, he was hit in the head - with a ball. Still, I..."

"I wonder if he had a very bad dream," suggested Jennifer. "I mean, I really don't like seeing him that upset. I guess he's just so worried about losing you, or something. He seems to really care about you. You remind me of my own grandma, so I can quite..."

"That must've been some dream," commented Grandma Stella, stunned. "Well, Marty, it'll all be okay. After all, I simply hope to see the day that you and Jenn get married." As she stroked Marty's head, she continued, "I quite decided to spend some time with you - as your parents weren't expecting to be gone, for so long. They felt so bad..."

"I'm quite sorry, Grandma Stella," whispered Marty, as he lifted his tear-stained face. "I actually didn't mean to let loose, like this. I just... Well, I simply can't stand to think that... that, one day, you won't be around. That thought makes me feel rather sad."

"I really understand, pumpkin," Grandma Stella replied, gently. "You just have nothing to apologize for. I was just shocked, that's all. You know that I value every single one of my grandchildren. I was very close to my own grandma, too - and I really know..."

"You should've seen me," added Clara. "That was about the most devastating time of my life. I sure agree that grandparents are quite important. If Marty really had a bad dream about you... well, you know... I sure do feel for him. Unfortunately, there are quite a few people that I loved - who are now deceased. That really is a sad thing."

"I'm sorry to hear about that, Clara," Grandma Stella replied, sympathetically. Turning to Marty, she added, "Well, honey, what do you want to do? I can just treat you out, if you'd like. We can also make cookies. I just found an old recipe, that my mom had."

"That sure sounds awesome, Grandma Stella," gushed Marty, as he wiped his eyes. "I can't say that I'm all too hungry, right now. I mean, we just finished eating breakfast. Well, for lunch, I'd like to stop by A&W. They have some good bacon cheeseburgers."

"Thinking of bacon cheeseburgers quite make my mouth water," commented Jennifer. "It makes me feel glad that I'm not Jewish. I mean, I simply respect the culture - but I sure could never stand to abide by all those kosher laws that they have. I mean, I do enjoy having the freedom to eat whatever I like. I guess that's just important to me."

"Yeah, I certainly agree that freedom is important," agreed Grandma Stella. "If Marty doesn't mind, Jenn - you're certainly free to join us. After all, it seems very likely that you'll become my granddaughter-in-law. In a few ways, you remind me of Lorraine."

"Thanks for the offer," Jennifer replied, smiling, "but I was really planning to hang out with my friends. I hope that the two of you have fun, though - and I hope that Marty feels better. I can still remember how I felt, last fall, when my grandma was quite ill."

"You take care, Jenn," Marty replied, as he turned to hug her. "You have a good day, and I really love you!" Turning to Doc and Clara, he added, "I really wish the same for you two. I hope to see all of you at the concert, tonight." To Grandma Stella, he said, "Well, Grandma Stella, I sure think we should stand a little time - over by your place."

oooooooooo

"This recipe sure sounds good," commented Marty, as he scooped some cookie dough onto the baking sheet. "I always have quite a weakness for chocolate. I remember all the fun times that we've quite had, when I was younger. I sure remember Christmas, and the way that this house looked so festive. It was rather fun times, for all of us."

Even in the original timeline, Marty really remembered having fun at Grandma Stella's house. It sure was the one time of the year, in fact, that his mother seemed to be in good spirits. In all the timelines, he had fond memories of his beloved grandmother.

"I can still remember the time," Grandma Stella commented, laughing, "when you were five, and I brought you to the mall. You really wanted to sit on Santa's lap. You simply told him that you wanted a guitar, and that you just wanted to play like Jimmy Page."

"I remember that incident, rather vaguely," Marty replied, smiling. "Yeah, I was a real big fan of Led Zeppelin - and I quite admired Jimmy Page. I simply wish that I could've gone to one of their concerts. My mom rather insisted that I was too young, though - and that people there would be smoking pot. Well, I suppose she really had a point."

"Of course, honey," replied Grandma Stella. "She sure was being a good mother, and looking out for you. After you have children, Marty, I'm sure you'll understand where your parents are coming from. When your mother was young, I'm sure she didn't..."

Marty smiled, as he knew all too well what his grandmother meant. It wasn't just from his own experiences, as a father - but, when he was in 1955, he was able to observe his mother's youth. Of course, he was rather surprised by much of he learned of her.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," replied Marty. He still simply remembered the time, when he and his future mother were sitting in Doc's car. She insisted how, as a mother, she would let her children do whatever they wanted. Even in the new timeline, she ended up not quite doing that. "It's very amazing, how someone's perspective can change."

"Marty," Grandma Stella pointed out, "just think of what you were like, ten years ago. I'm sure that, back then, you actually had different interests. I'm sure that what you enjoyed, when you were seven... Well, you no longer care about most of them."

Marty thought back to when he was seven. His memories from the new timeline quite took great prominence over his memories of the old timeline. Essentially, his interests remained the same. His grandmother was right. A lot of his interests have changed.

"Yeah, I see what you mean," Marty replied, sighing. "Granted, some of my interests and values have stayed the same. Other stuff, though, rather have changed. I sure have no such desire to grow into becoming one those cynical-type of adults, though. I do wish to retain hope in humanity, which is why I don't like thinking about politics."

"Your Grandpa Sam actually was like that," explained Grandma Stella. "He was a good man, and I quite loved him. He could be rather hard-nosed, though - and not an easy person to get along with. I certainly can sympathize with what you're saying, Marty."

"Well, it looks like we're out of batter," commented Marty, smiling. "Yeah, politics sure isn't my forte. I mean, the way that some of the political types behave... Well, I sure don't think they're setting a very good example for our children. It's just looks like..."

"I do see what you're saying," agreed Grandma Stella, nodding. "You really should've seen your grandfather and I, during the Viet Nam War. Your father really was hostile towards anyone who really dared to opposed the war. Of course, being a veteran of World War Two, he couldn't understand why people would want to resist any war."

"I think that's very ridiculous, though," countered Marty. "I mean, okay, I guess I can see the value of World War Two - with the Holocaust going on. Still, I quite think wars are stupid. Why should anyone be forced to risk their lives - when they're so young?"

"I really don't disagree with you, honey," replied Grandma Stella. "In fact, I sure think you're right. To your grandfather, though... Well, he believed that fighting in the war was the same thing as defending this country - which he felt was greatly important."

"Well, I still don't understand," Marty replied, sighing. "I just believe that killing people is always wrong. It's the same reason why I oppose abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment. After all, I rather believe that the life of every human being is important. I strongly believe that only God is the one to decide when a person's life should end."

"You simply have a point, Marty," agreed Grandma Stella. "Well, let's set the timer. In just about half an hour, these cookies should be ready to eat. I enjoy no-bake cookie recipes. I'm so glad that I finally found this recipe. These cookies look very delicious."

Marty flashed a lopsided smile, as he hugged his grandmother. He actually planned to make the most of his time with her. She was a good person to talk to, and she always had rather wonderful advice. It was too bad that his children wouldn't remember her.