Storm Surge (Quantum Touch Book 5)

by Michael R. Stern

  “Let's go get lunch, but first, I'll tape the door. Dr. Franklin, we'll be riding in Ashley's car.” A flash jerked their heads. Franklin turned to Fritz.

  “Lightning. Is that how you've reached me today? I didn't see the other fellow.”

  “Tony. I'll tell you the whole story while we eat.”

  Franklin watched Fritz tear a piece of electrical tape and place it over the door latch. He picked up the roll, and as Fritz had done, tore a piece, which stuck to his fingers. With his other hand, he pulled the tape off and it stuck to his other hand. He laughed.

  “Will I be able to free myself, Mr. Russell?”

  “Fold it over, Doctor, to the non-stick side. It'll come off.”

  “It's almost like tar or tree sap in its effect. What does it do?”

  “We call it tape. We make many kinds, some with greater strength. We use it to attach different items to each other. Let me show you.” Fritz took scotch tape from his drawer, and tore a piece of paper. “This tape will repair the tear. I used the other tape to prevent the door from closing. That should keep the portal active in case the weather changes while we're gone.”

  On the way to the deli, Franklin sat in the passenger's seat and watched Ashley drive. When they parked, he began asking questions.

  “We'll go to my house, Doctor,” Fritz said. “We'll be able to talk more freely.”

  Franklin looked in every direction, as amazed as Robert E. Lee had been to see the activity and the shops. Mr. Hoffmann greeted Ashley, and then stopped to stare at his newest customer.

  “Mr. Hoffmann,” said Fritz, “I'd like four pastrami on rye, and two hot dogs.” The proprietor nodded, and watched Franklin bend over and view the cooler, filled with a selection of meats and cheeses. Franklin turned to the shelves behind him, filled with a variety of snack foods, crackers and condiments.

  “Sorry, Mr. Russell. What did you want?” said the bemused shopkeeper. Fritz repeated his request. The shopkeeper looked at Fritz and, with mouth open, pointed at Franklin.

  “Dr. Franklin, I'd like you to meet Mr. Hoffmann. This is his shop.”

  “A pleasure, sir. You have a fascinating collection of products. Most impressive. But may I ask? You have a product in your cabinet that looks rather like a large hot dog. What is that?”

  “Would you show me which one you mean?” Franklin pointed. “That would be the bologna. Would you like a taste?” Franklin looked at Fritz.

  “Go ahead.” Fritz said. Ashley stood behind, observing, a laugh sliding across his face. Mr. Hoffmann passed a slice over the counter. Franklin lifted the meat to his nose and sniffed. Then he licked it, tasting the flavor.

  “Hmm. Pleasant flavor.” Then he took a bite. Chewing slowly, the three men saw the grin as he nodded his head. “What is this?”

  “Some people call it lunch meat, some, cold cuts. It's a sausage, lightly smoked, made of beef and pork, usually scraps, and then spiced.

  “This is quite good. But I like your hotdogs best.”

  They thanked Mr. Hoffmann, and as they left, to their right, the blend of voices cut the air. “Hi, Mr. Gilbert.”

  “Hi, girls. Are you ready for school?” Ashley asked Nicole and Rachel.

  Rachel said, “I like your beard, Mr. Gilbert.” Then she noticed. “You're Benjamin Franklin.” She walked straight to Franklin, Nicole in her wake, their hands held out.

  Fritz said, “Nicole, Rachel, allow me to introduce you properly. Doctor Franklin, may I introduce Rachel Downey and Nicole Ginsburg.” Franklin shook each of their outstretched hands.

  “We saw you at the Fourth of July party. You did a good job reading the Declaration,” said Nicole.

  “Thank you, young lady. I too enjoyed being here. I must say things are much different to me, now that we have actually become a nation. But I am not looking forward to the war we are about to fight.”

  “Wow,” said Rachel. “Nicole, we should take lessons. Mr. Franklin, you really are a good actor.” Franklin thanked them and turned to Fritz, who said he would explain on the way home.

  “Girls, we need to go, but we'll see you next week.”

  Rachel said, “Okay, Mr. R. Nice to meet you, Ben. Bye, Mr. Gilbert,” again in unison.

  Fritz restrained a laugh as they got in the car. Franklin turned in his seat, his upturned lips and twinkle in his eye connecting. “They are students, Dr. Franklin. Your visit today will be legendary if they have their way. They believed you were an actor staying in your role. We've seen them in action. They have their own routine as actors, so you impressed them.”

  “Mr. Russell,” he glanced at the cars passing, “I have come only lately to the conclusion that the colonies ought to be free to self-govern. Seeing what comes of our creation is wonderful.”

  Fritz called home to advise Emily they were on the way and bringing a guest. When they walked in, Joe dropped his glass, spilling soda across the table. Fritz introduced Franklin, as Joe mopped the spill, and Emily stood up with eyes popping. “Sorry, I should have told you.”

  Franklin nodded to Joe, and took Emily's hand and kissed it.

  “My dear, I believe your eyes are the most lustrous shade of blue I have ever seen,” said Franklin.

  “Thank you, Mr. Franklin. It's nice to meet you.”

  “Why don't we eat?” Fritz prompted. “We can talk openly here.”

  Ashley unpacked the sandwiches. Joe poured drinks. Franklin unwrapped his hot dogs.

  “Fritz, couldn't you have bought a sandwich for Mr. Franklin? Honestly. A hot dog?”

  Franklin chewed quickly, holding his hand in the air. “My dear, I asked for this. I do enjoy it.”

  When Ash and Emily finally settled, Fritz asked about meeting again with the president. “Tomorrow might be a good time. Both Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson will be here, or there. Perhaps after we complete the signing would be a convenient time?” They agreed that early evening would be best.

  “I'll have to check his schedule, but I'm sure if he can, he will.”

  “The signing?” asked Emily.

  “They will be signing the Declaration of Independence, Emily. That's tomorrow in Dr. Franklin's time, August 2, 1776.”

  The storms had ended during the early afternoon. No buzz from the doorknob, but when he opened the door, Franklin's living room materialized, the connection unbroken. With Franklin safely home, Fritz waved and removed the tape. He told Ashley he had used electrical tape.

  “Insulation,” Ash said. “The door latch couldn't close, so no electrical path. Interesting.”

  “I need to call the president,” said Fritz. “Let's go.”

  The president's schedule didn't clear until Thursday, early afternoon, and he expected to leave for a short family vacation over the Labor Day weekend. Fritz said he would try to adjust their arrival, but he needed Tony to be sure.

  “I have some questions for Adams and Jefferson.”

  “I'd guess they have some for you too. Now that we've shown them they will win the war, I won't be surprised if they ask us about what they did.”

  “Gotta go, Fritz. I'll see you Thursday.”

  Joe left on Tuesday afternoon. Emily hugged him and waved as he drove away. Although he said he would come back when he found an apartment, when she entered the kitchen wiping her eyes, she sniffled, “He's too far away. I wish he'd come home more often.”

  “Maybe after what you told him, he will,” said Ashley. “Maybe he can mend fences with Tim. Speaking of which, have you heard from him?”

  “He calls and sometimes leaves messages. Linda called a couple of times too. I let her leave messages. She'll get a taste of her own medicine.” Her glance at Fritz betrayed her mixed emotions.

  “I'm surprised Tim hasn't called me again,” Fritz said.

  “I'm not. I'll have a few interesting stories to tell when I see him.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, meeting Ben Franklin. Him kissing my hand, liking hot dogs. You're lucky, Fritz. Meeting all the
se historical figures.”

  “I love it, Emily, but Linda doesn't. The president's going with me to see Adams and Jefferson on Thursday.”

  “Will you see Franklin too?”

  “We're meeting at his house. I have to figure out how to time this to be exact.”

  “Why don't you bring them here. Let them see the school. You could guarantee you wouldn't be interrupted.”

  Fritz rubbed behind his left ear. “Maybe we could. I'll ask them.”

  Emily asked, “Can I come too?”

  Chapter 16

  ASHLEY ASKED, “Doesn't it seem strange that you can get all these dead people to follow you, almost with no argument?”

  “I've often wondered, but never asked. After so many times, I just accept that they'll come.”

  Planning another visit to colonial Philadelphia with the president required much less time and effort than Fritz had already invested. Ashley said, “We've done this enough that you won't have a problem. But I've been wondering about the portal and you.”

  “What most concerns me is if I've stirred up the pond so that they get carried on the waves. I worry that I'm screwing up history.”

  “The past that we know seems unchanged, but maybe it's affecting our future, and we haven't gotten there yet.”

  “Since I was a kid, I've been fascinated by how the past influences our life. My parents used to take us to historical sites on our vacations. Dad could never be away from work for long, but we packed a lot of sightseeing into a lot of weekends. When I chose not to go to law school, teaching history was a natural. My greatest challenge has been making my students care about the past, and showing them how history affects their lives. I hate when I can't. That, to me, is a failure.”

  “What about Linda?”

  “Ash, until now, we were of the same mind. I know I've been a little selfish, using the portal when she objected. But I never expected she would leave because of it. In our worst disagreements, we always found the common thread, our history, to come back together. I'm tempted to blame Tim. But it's only partially him. And I think she'll come home, but I just don't know when.”

  “So. Franklin. What do we do?”

  “We can try it with Tony tonight. If I'm on the spot, I'll tell them I'll be right back. I can outline the clip so when I do it tomorrow, we'll be right on the mark.”

  They met Tony that evening at the school. Fritz used the annotated floor plan from Franklin's house. His first try woke Franklin the morning of their appointment. Fritz told him they were still experimenting to get the time exact. “This may be confusing, Dr. Franklin. I'll be back in a few hours and that's when we'll make the appointment. Sorry to disturb you.”

  “Quite all right. I believe I'll see you soon.”

  Fritz tried again, moving the paperclip slightly on the floorplan. When he walked through, Franklin had just entered the house.

  “Ah, Mr. Russell, you are early. They are still signing. If you'd like you may stay.”

  “What time is it now, Dr. Franklin? I'm still trying to be precise.”

  Franklin removed a watch from his vest pocket. “It is now 2:52 in the afternoon. We'll expect you in about two hours.” Again, Fritz returned and moved the clip. Stepping through the classroom door, Franklin waved him in. Both Jefferson and Adams sat at the table, glasses of wine in front of them.

  “I'm not ready quite yet. Now that I have the exact connection, I'll return shortly.”

  Adams said, “I have been pondering our last visit, Mr. Russell. Your president will be joining us?”

  “I expect him, Mr. Adams.”

  When he stepped back to Riverboro, his “thumbs up” signaled that they were on target.

  “Fritz, maybe you should outline the paper on the desk too. One more variable out of the way.”

  Fritz told Tony to invite Natalie to join them at 2 PM the following day. “Franklin wants to talk to her.”

  * * *

  With everything set, Fritz returned to the sunroom and the same subject outlines he had worked with for ten years. As he turned the pages, an idea struck. He called George.

  “Hi Fritz. It's almost time. Another year.” George always looked forward to the start of the school year.

  Skipping past George's annual exuberance, Fritz said, “I can't wait, George. I have a question. As long as I cover all the required material, I would like to change the order.”

  “Well, that is a little unusual, don't you think? Shouldn't you teach it in the order things happened?”

  “That's just it, George. I plan to pick events, then discuss the periods before to show the causes and the time after to show the results. The classes and the material would be more interesting and I can still cover everything. Would that be okay with you?”

  “Hmm. As long as you cover everything, I guess it would be okay. Maybe you should try it out and see what happens.”

  “Thanks, George. I wanted to run it by you first. See you next week. Hi to Lois.”

  He stared out the sunroom window at the variety of shrubbery forming the fence that makes good neighbors. With two ninth grade classes and three for American history, his meetings with Franklin, Adams and Jefferson would be a basis for studying the beginnings of America. They alone would have answers to questions he wanted to ask. Taking a yellow pad from the lower left-hand drawer, he opened one of the textbooks sitting on his desk and began his list of questions. Before you met me, did you believe you could defeat the British, the most powerful military force in the world? What kind of government do you see for the future? Fritz turned a few pages. To drive home his inquiry, he re-read the section on the Battle of Long Island and the British forces in New York. Twenty-five thousand well-trained soldiers and the largest navy in the world were opposed by a force half that size, with almost no military training. King George III had ordered Admiral Howe to put an end to the rebellion, as the Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia to declare independence. The British attacked and won the Battle of Long Island, now called Brooklyn, but Washington's army escaped across the East River. I wonder if they've considered how Washington will be able to make an army from farmers and tradesman.

  His buzzing phone took him from the War for Independence. “Hi, Mr. President.”

  “Fritz, I don't have much time. Could we do this now? Tony is on his way.”

  “Then I'll see you in a few minutes.”

  He found Emily, reading in the kitchen. He told her the president needed to do it now. “Something must be going on, but he wants to come anyway. If you want to come, I have to leave now.”

  “Then let's go,” said Emily. “I look all right, don't I? Where's Ashley?”

  “I'm certain he'll catch up, but I can't wait. Would you call him while we're on the way?”

  * * *

  THE PRESIDENT SMILED when he spotted Emily. He told her he wished he could stay longer and talk, but he needed to be back in his office shortly. “Fritz, let's go.”

  “I thought you were bringing them here,” said Emily.

  “That would work. I'll go see if they want to come.”

  Sitting alone, Franklin said, “You said you'd be right back, Mr. Russell. We waited for a couple of hours.”

  “Sorry, Dr. Franklin. I set our connection exactly to when I left you. Let me try again.” Fritz returned to the hallway, and then barely nudged the paperclip. When he stepped through, three men waited.

  “Ah, just as you said, Mr. Russell. Good, good. Are you alone?”

  “No, sir. Before I bring the president, would you like to step into my time?”

  Franklin looked at his companions, his glasses at the end of his nose. “John, Thomas, what say you?”

  Their expressions—blank stares, an ambiguous response. Franklin said, “We've just declared war, on England, the King. What could possibly be more frightening for the future? I've already been and I am still here. Why not see what we've created with our victory?”

  “You'll be safe, gentlemen,” said Fri
tz. “I've been back in time to a number of locations, and I wouldn't suggest that you join me if I was unsure.” With scraping chairs, quick glances, and curiosity, they walked into the hallway.

  Fritz let them absorb the corridor, the highly-polished floors, the lockers. He introduced everyone and led them across the hall to the Summit room. Franklin stopped to examine the generator and asked Tony if he could explain it later. Franklin sat with the president on his left and Emily next to him on his right. Jefferson and Adams sat across, still absorbing their strange surroundings.

  “I'm so glad you could join us,” said the president. “We'll try to answer your questions, but I have one for you, if I may? When you wrote the Declaration, did you consider what would happen if you gained independence?”

  Adams answered first. “You must understand that we have been citizens of Britain, and share a heritage. We have been mistreated by Parliament. They deem to tax and regulate the colonies with neither care nor contact with our lives.”

  “We have petitioned, we have pleaded, to no avail,” Franklin continued. “Each colony has a legislature to govern itself. I believe we have greater common interests that will surface should we succeed.”

  “But, we did succeed,” said Jefferson, gesturing across the table. “Sir, the process has been measured, slowly mixing the ingredients. The final step, the roasting if you will, resulted when the King refused to treat with us—instead, freezing American assets, closing ports to our ships, and sending his army. They sit in New York, as we speak.”

  “And it is an illusion, from its inception, that England can continue to rule here. No evidence remains of the King's, or Parliament's, good will toward us,” said Adams.

  “John,” said Jefferson, “the gentleman asked what we intend should we overcome. You have already proposed this.”

  “I have,” said Adams. “Each colony, with its different history and tradition, should determine how best to proceed, but we must also anticipate changes in the future. I have drawn from our history. A republican framework containing an executive, a bi-cameral legislature and a judiciary, as you mentioned in our last conversation. We would select our representatives with the voice of the populus.”