Time Tsunami

by Danele J Rotharmel

  As Dan chuckled, Peter said to Danny through the wave, “Is that you, Danny-boy? Talk about flashbacks! Do you know who I am?”

  “Slim the Goon,” Danny replied with a teasing smile, brushing the remnants of tears from his face.

  Peter groaned. “Am I ever gonna live that down?” Tossing a baseball through the portal, he said, “Here you go, wisecracker. Have your dad practice with you—and with me too. Your lethal pitching arm and my home runs are going to win us the state championship senior year.”

  “Cool!” Danny said, pocketing the ball.

  Peter picked up a book called Hinglly’s Formulas Explained and tossed it through the wave. “Give this to Slim, will you? Tell him when all else fails, look to Hinglly. And tell him not to date Fay Hennly. Got it?”

  “Sure.” Danny grinned. “I know Fay. I can’t believe you dated her.”

  “Me either,” Peter replied.

  “Who’s Fay Hennly?” Laura asked with raised eyebrows.

  “Someone I’d like to forget. When I took her to a drive-in, I had a hard time keeping her hands off me.”

  As Laura chuckled, Peter smiled and called out, “Mr. and Mrs. Ableman, is that you?”

  Sam grinned. “We’re not quite Mr. and Mrs. yet, but we’re working on it.”

  “It’s great to see you! When I was a kid, the way you opened your home to me was a tremendous blessing. I wouldn’t have succeeded without you.”

  “Don’t mention it, Peter,” Sam said, putting his arm around Sue. “We’ll look forward to meeting your younger-self.”

  Gil watched with a heavy heart as Dan began tossing suitcases through the portal. Knowing her time in Charlesberg was at an end, she hugged everyone one last time. With tears prickling her eyes, she took one last, lingering look at Danny. He gave her a wobbly grin followed by a thumbs-up sign. Smiling, she squared her shoulders, took Dan’s hand, and stepped through the portal.

  An icy surge of wind rushed over Gil’s skin as she surfed through the timewave. When she entered the lab with Dan, Laura rushed forward. “It’s wonderful to have you both home! I was frantic when we didn’t hear from you, but Peter maintained that if TEMCO hadn’t collapsed, nothing major could’ve gone wrong.”

  Peter turned to Dan. “Laura’s been more nervous than when we went up for government review the first time. It took all my powers of persuasion to keep her calm.”

  “I’d object,” Laura said, pushing her red hair away from her face, “but it happens to be true. Peter’s been a rock through this uncertainty. I never realized how sweet he could be.”

  Peter’s eyes twinkled. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not.”

  “A little uncertainty’s good for a man,” Laura replied. As Peter laughed, she turned to Gil. “How are you—really? We hated to send you back knowing what you were going to face, but we had no choice. I hope you understand.”

  “Don’t worry, I do.” Blushing a little, Gil shot Dan a tender glance. “And really, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Peter smiled. “Dan, your mom and dad called. Their plane landed an hour ago. Sue said to tell Gil they couldn’t wait to see her again.”

  “I’m glad they’re here,” Gil said happily. “That makes everything perfect.”

  “They want to meet you at Dos Maracas for dinner,” Laura said. “But before you go, Dan needs to deal with Dr. Moosly. He’s been on the warpath.”

  “He wants me fired?” Dan asked. “That’s normal.”

  Laura shook her head. “He wants us all fired!”

  “Even you? What did you do?”

  “I refused to ask the board for Peter’s resignation. When I told Dr. Moosly that if Peter went, I went, he seemed to think that was a good idea.”

  Gil saw Dan’s jaw tighten. “Get him down here,” he said.

  Stepping briskly to the phone, Laura made a quick call. “Dr. Moosly, Dr. Ableman and Miss Montgomery have arrived. Would you care to join us?”

  A few seconds later, Dr. Moosly came bustling into the lab with a ream of papers. “Dr. Ableman,” he sputtered, “an unauthorized trip through GAP is strictly prohibited. Your foolhardy action shows a complete disregard for protocol.”

  As Gil made an impatient movement, Dr. Moosly turned on her. “I believe your actions should also be called into question. You don’t seem to realize that counseling a child is difficult work with dangerous repercussions. You’re obviously not cut out for this profession.”

  When Dan shook his head and started to speak, Dr. Moosly continued furiously, “Don’t try to defend her. I’ve tolerated your opinions long enough! I’ve listed your infractions, and I’m going to demand your immediate dismissal.” He shook the papers in Dan’s face. “This report is headed straight to the top.”

  Reaching out his hand, Dan said, “If that’s what you want, I’ll take it.”

  “It’s not for you. It’s for the person in charge!”

  “Yes, I know,” Dan replied.

  As Dr. Moosly’s face turned an alarming shade of purple, Peter said dryly, “Allow me to introduce you to the head of TEMCO. Dr. Ableman happens to be your boss.”

  Dr. Moosly blinked rapidly. Staring at Dan, he stammered, “You’re...? You’re...?”

  “I’m in charge,” Dan replied. “Dr. Nelson and Director Matthews answer only to me.”

  “But you’re...you’re...”

  “Unconventional. I know. But I’m also the one who does the hiring and firing.”

  Dr. Moosly shifted uneasily. “All I’ve ever wanted is what’s best for TEMCO.”

  “I decide what’s best,” Dan said in a clipped voice. “I’ve given you leeway in the past, but I’ll expect your support from now on.”

  As Dr. Moosly nodded and ran a nervous finger beneath his collar, Gil saw Peter narrowing his eyes. She never would’ve pegged the director as having an ornery streak, but she quickly reassessed her opinion when he glanced at Dr. Moosly and said, “Hey, Dan, what are you waiting for? Why don’t you kiss your girlfriend?”

  Dr. Moosly’s eyes bulged. “Here? In the lab? That would be unquestionably ill-advised. Public displays of affection are...” his voice trailed away. After a moment, he said awkwardly, “On second thought, special occasions periodically call for demonstrative actions.”

  Peter’s lips twitched. “Yes, they do.”

  Gil looked over at Dan and cocked an eyebrow. He shook his head. “This isn’t the time or the place.”

  As Peter gave her a wink, Gil sashayed over to Dan and murmured, “I suppose not. After all, stodgy, old professors like you probably don’t know the first thing about PDA, do they?”

  Gil watched as Dan stood in stunned silence. After a moment, he laughingly pulled her into his arms and leaned her back with dramatic flair.

  “Don’t you dare drop me, you big ham.” She giggled.

  Dan’s eyes smiled down into hers. “You don’t need to worry about that. Having finally won you, I’m never letting you go.”

  Gil’s world slowed down as Dan lowered his lips to hers. He kissed her with such a mixture of tender love and burning passion that it took her breath away and made Dr. Moosly sputter, “Mercy me! Mercy me, indeed!”

  CHAPTER FIFTY

  In Colorado, Sue watched as Poppa turned off the Wave Trapper. As the glow from the temporal portal faded, he crooked his finger at Twinkles. “Dear delight,” he murmured as Twinkles laughed and slid into his arms. “Dan and Gil are going to have a wonderful life together.”

  Twinkles cuddled close and whispered, “I know, Poppa. I remember.”

  Turning to Danny, Poppa said, “Twinkles and I have something special to give you.”

  “What is it?” the boy asked.

  “It’s this,” Poppa replied, gently drawing Twinkles’s wedding ring from her finger. He placed the ring on a silver chain and clasped the chain around Danny’s neck. “I gave this ring to Twinkles the night I proposed, and now we’re giving it to you as a special reminder.”

&nbs
p; Twinkles kissed Danny’s cheek. “Wear it always, and keep it safe for me. I’m gonna want it back in twenty-four years.”

  As Danny nodded and tucked the ring inside his shirt, Poppa showed Twinkles a velvet box. “Poppa!” she squealed. “What have you gone and done?”

  “It’s tradition, my love,” Poppa said, opening the box and revealing a sparkling ring. “Sapphires are the gift of choice for forty-fifth wedding anniversaries.”

  “You old dear,” Twinkles gushed, “this has nothing to do with tradition. I was gonna miss my ring and you knew it. You’re the most thoughtful man alive.”

  Sue gasped. “Poppa, are you the man I spoke to in the jewelry store? I had no clue it was you.”

  “Of course you didn’t.” He chuckled. “It’s a time surfer’s prerogative to keep some secrets.”

  “So when’s your anniversary?” Sam asked.

  “Today,” Poppa replied cheerfully. “October twenty-sixth.” He turned to Twinkles with a wicked grin. “I had your new ring inscribed.”

  Twinkles read the inscription and blushed. “Poppa, someone might see this!”

  “Not if you don’t take it off your finger.” He laughed. “You can’t show that inscription to anyone, mind you. It’s just for you and me.”

  Twinkles looked at him innocently. “I can’t show it to anyone? Not even your momma?”

  “Especially not my momma.”

  Twinkles giggled and said to Sue, “It’s so easy to get a rise out of poor Poppa. I know I shouldn’t tease him, but teasing him is half the fun of our marriage.”

  Poppa smiled. “And you indulge in it every chance you get.” He looked at the clock and sighed. “I hate to say it, but we must be getting home.”

  Danny groaned. “Don’t tell me we have to move Twinkles’s suitcase. I’ll bet it’s even heavier than Gil’s.”

  Twinkles gave Danny’s shoulder a swat. “You little rascal, all I have is my purse.”

  As Danny raised his eyebrows, Poppa said, “In light of my old football injury, I had to figure out a way around suitcases.”

  Twinkles gave a loud snort. “Old football injury, my eye!” Turning to Sue, she said with poignant drama, “Promise me you’ll never let Danny go out for football. He tweaked a muscle once, and now he uses it as an excuse to avoid taking out the trash!”

  Sue gurgled with laughter. “I promise. No football.” As Poppa and Danny protested, her lips twitched. “No complaining. Listen to your mother, the both of you.”

  “So how do you avoid lifting suitcases?” Sam asked.

  “Cold cash,” Poppa grunted. “On extended time surfs, we rent a furnished house and buy whatever clothes we need.”

  As Sam blinked, Twinkles said with a smile, “Our shopping expeditions are glorious fun. When we’re done with an assignment, we donate everything to charity. We’ve hired a moving crew to pick up our clothes and take your wedding gifts to your house tomorrow.” She sighed. “Poppa doesn’t mind our shopping trips, but if he has his way, they’ll be coming to an end soon. He’s been tinkering with a gadget that reorganizes atoms or some such nonsense. He wanted to test the prototype on this surf, but I wouldn’t let him.”

  “Why not?”

  “He wanted the silly thing to make our clothes, that’s why! When I heard what he was up to, I drew the line—simply drew the line. I don’t care if my toothbrush can poof and disappear, but there’s no way I’ll agree to go around in clothes that could go poof.” Her voice became scandalized. “Why, what would happen if I was strolling down the street and the dumb thing broke?”

  “Now, Twinkles,” objected Poppa. “I’ve assured you that nothing goes poof until I decide it should. The quantifiable linear calibration of the—”

  “I don’t care,” she interrupted. “I’ve heard it all, and I don’t understand any of it. I believe you’re the most splendid inventor alive, but there are some things a woman just will not risk, and ending up in my all-together in the middle of the street is mine.”

  Sue giggled. “So are you ever going to give his latest invention a whirl?”

  Twinkles firmly shook her head. “Not on a time surf and not in public.”

  Poppa smiled and kissed her cheek. “I’ll have Dave and Cavan test it with me when we get home, okay?”

  “Not if you want to use it on clothes. If something goes wrong, I don’t want you walking around in your all-together either, and I know the boys’ wives wouldn’t be happy if their husbands got arrested for indecent exposure. If you want to test the silly thing, you can try it out on something safe like a book or a broom.”

  “You’ve got a deal. I’ll line up some tests next Monday.” He looked at the clock. “I know you don’t like goodbyes, but we really must go. The children are waiting.”

  “Whose children?” Sam asked.

  “Ours,” Twinkles replied. “Our kids are throwing us an anniversary party tonight.”

  The smile on Sam’s face grew. “Sue and I are going to be grandparents? Is there anything else we should know before you go?”

  “I’ve tendered Sue’s resignation for her jobs.”

  “What?” Sue gasped in dismay. “I need my jobs! I have to have them!”

  “Not anymore,” Poppa replied, pressing an envelope into her hand. “Here’s enough money to pay Dad’s old medical bills and keep you comfortable for quite a while.”

  Sue shook her head. “You’ve given us so much already. I can’t accept any more.”

  “Of course you can,” Poppa said firmly. “When I was a boy, I used to dream about ways to make your life easier. Now that I’m able to do it, don’t deny me the pleasure.”

  Sue looked at the envelope. After a pause, she kissed Poppa’s freckle and gave him a strangling hug. “Thank you.”

  Poppa cleared his throat. “I know you hated Stubby’s, but if you ever want to work at the hospital again, your boss said he’d welcome you back.”

  “But not for a while, dear,” Twinkles said, giving Sue’s hand a pat. “You’re going to be way too busy. The painters arrive at Sam’s house tomorrow.”

  “Painters?” Sue asked in a dazed voice as Sam gave a smothered laugh.

  “Why, yes, of course,” Twinkles burbled. “How could all that nice new furniture go into a house that isn’t freshly painted? Poppa remembers the colors of the old rooms, so don’t worry, everything will be just right.” Suddenly, Twinkles froze. “Now, Sue, promise me you won’t break your engagement when you see what Sam has in his basement.”

  Sue looked over at her fiancé. His ears were beginning to blush.

  “Just remember,” Twinkles said quietly, “every man has his faults, and Sam—exceptional man that he is—has them too.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Sam’s bowling ball collection. It takes up a whole basement wall. Can you imagine? I can see collecting stamps or coins—but bowling balls? I tell you, Sue, every wife has her cross to bear and those bowling balls are gonna be yours.”

  Gurgling with laughter, Sue said, “I think I can handle it.”

  “You haven’t seen it yet,” Twinkles replied glumly, “but I’ll take your word for it. Anyway, I suppose you’ll be too busy to mind anything for a while. You have the house to get ready, and then the wedding, and then little Angelina arrives.”

  Sue blinked. “Pardon me?”

  “Angelina Evelyn. She comes about a year after you and Sam marry.”

  “Sue and I are having a baby?” Sam said in a startled voice. “I thought Sue couldn’t—”

  “Of course, you’re having babies,” Twinkles said. “Two of them—Angelina and Alex.”

  “Well, at least now we know what to name them,” Sam said with a laugh.

  Giving him a fond grin, Twinkles said to Sue, “Whenever you picture bowling balls, just think of your babies. Even if a husband collects outlandish things, he’s worth hanging onto if he changes poopy diapers.” She squeezed Sue’s hand. “Be sure to give Angelina music lessons. She’s a
professional violinist, and she’s just as lovely as her name. You named her after your mother.”

  Giving his wife a wicked grin, Poppa said to Sam, “I tried to convince Twinkles to name our daughter after her mother, but she refused.”

  “Of course I did,” Twinkles blustered. “Your man-gene was running rampant that day. I still can’t believe you were willing to name our defenseless baby Moonbeam Frankincense Alabaster! I loved my family, but their name choices were simply ghastly.”

  Danny grinned. “Yah, I know how you adore the name Gillyflower Meadowlark.”

  “Actually, I don’t mind my name so much anymore—not after Poppa wrote me a lovely poem about it. I have it memorized. Shall I quote it for you?” Giving Poppa an impish grin, she loudly intoned:

  “Sweet Gillyflower! Captivating enchantress!

  Love blossoms in my heart, and the meadowlark sings in my soul

  When the soft morning light gently caresses your sleeping form

  Dawn’s blushing fingers tremble to touch your—”

  Suddenly, Poppa clamped a hand over Twinkles’s mouth. As her eyes sparkled naughtily at him, he said with a strangled laugh, “Hush, you wretch, or I’ll tell your mother-in-law what you sing when—”

  Gasping with laughter, Twinkles pulled Poppa’s hand away. “Truce! I won’t breathe another word.” She turned to Sue. “Which is a crying shame because it’s such a lovely poem.”

  Sue’s lips twitched. “Maybe so, but for the good of your marriage you’d better not recite any more of it.”

  As Twinkles laughed, Sam said, “You’ve told us that Angelina needs violin lessons, is there anything we should know about Alex?”

  At his words, Twinkles looked uncomfortable. Seeing her distress, Sue asked anxiously, “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m afraid we have bad news about your youngest.” Twinkles sighed.

  Clutching Sam’s hand, Sue asked in a tight voice, “What’s wrong with him?”

  “He paints.”

  Sam’s jaw dropped. “But what’s wrong with that?”

  “It’s not bad that he paints. It’s just awful how terrible he does it.”