anothertimeanotheplace2

Billy took another swig from the bottle�..wiping his mouth�..he�d almost forgotten how nasty vodka tasted straight�.but anything to stop those images floating around in his head�..Mac�begging him to listen�pleading with him�..smiling that day at the coffee house��laughing��he took another swig�..the bottle was nearly empty�he should have bought two�.those images were still so clear�.maybe he shouldn�t have chosen this particular place to get drunk�.the playhouse�..filled with so many memories�.that picnic��and the dance�.and that awful day she�d given him back the ring�.another thing he�d ruined�that ring�the look on her face when she saw it on Brittany�s hand�..he emptied the bottle��tossing it beside the striped settee��that last little bit did it�..the buzz finally starting to kick in��.he�d been here longer than he realized�.it was dark outside�and his Dad would definitely be wondering where he was��he staggered to his feet��laughing when he nearly tripped over the table in front of him�.slow�.take it slow�you can make it up to your room before any body sees�if you�re lucky��..

He made it up to the front steps�..swaying unsteadily��he was just about to reach for the doorknob when the front door opened.�quickly enough to make him lose his balance��.a quick searing pain shot through the back of his head as he tumbled down the front steps��.his father�s face was the last thing he saw before the world went black��.

�Clear a path��the emt instructed as he pushed the gurney inside the hospital doors��followed closely by John Abbott��.Esther was in the lobby�..using the pay phone to try and contact Billy�s cell phone when she spotted John��and Billy�.lying still and pale on the gurney��.She hung up the phone��rushing towards John�.. � Mr. Abbott�.my God�what�s happened?��.John sighed�.his face pale�� He fell down the front steps, Esther��.God�I think he was drinking again��.he fell before I could grab him�..he hit the back of his head��..��Esther put her hand over her mouth�.. � Oh�.Mr. Abbott��I�m so sorry��I know he was very upset��about what happened to Mackenzie�.��..John smiled briefly�� I appreciate it, Esther�..especially since you have your own troubles to worry about��.I suppose he and Mackenzie shared deeper feelings than any of us realized��.how is she?�.��Esther shook her head�.. � No change��she�s still unconscious��she watched as they wheeled Billy inside�� Will you let me know how he is?��she asked �John nodded�.following the gurney to wait outside the doors��Esther sat down in the waiting area��. � Esther?�.��..she looked up at the sound of Kay�s voice�� Why is John Abbott here?��she pointed behind her��. �Because Billy was just brought in, Mrs. C�.he fell down the steps�.hit his head�..��..Kay let out a sigh��closing her eyes�.he�d managed to get himself into trouble again�� was he drinking?�..��.she asked quietly�..Esther paused for a minute�..then nodded�.. � Mr. Abbott seemed to think so��.I told you how upset he was about Mackenzie, Mrs. C�you saw it yourself�..I guess that�s why he was drinking�..and now��. � Now�he�s joined her in the hospital��.more self destructive behavior�I swear�when Mackenzie comes home�I�m going to lock her up and forbid her to even see that boy�..��..Kay�s voice was angry�.and sad�two young people�..neither of whom deserved to be this situation�..she looked over at John�.who was trying to peek inside the doors of the trauma room��.she walked up behind him�placing her hand on his shoulder�.. � John� I�m so sorry�.��she said quietly�..he turned around�..forcing a smile�� Katherine�thank you��Kay looked past his shoulder into the room�Billy lay still and white on the table��surrounded by doctors�. � I hope he�ll be all right, John�you know that, don�t you?�.��.John nodded�� Yes�.I do�and you know I wish the same thing for Mackenzie��Esther tells me she�s still unconscious��.Kay nodded�.. � Yes�.but I haven�t lost faith�I know she�ll wake up�.soon�.��.John nodded�patting her hand��stepping aside when the door opened��.The same doctor that was treating Mackenzie addressed John�� Mr. Abbott�.I�m Dr. Cheney��.hello, Mrs. Chancellor�..��.Kay nodded��and John spoke�. � Doctor�.is my son going to be all right?��The Doctor shook his head�.. � I�m afraid I can�t answer that question right now, Mr. Abbott�..he�s had a severe trauma to the head��and that�combined with the obvious smell of alcohol on his breath��we could be in for a very long wait��.but I will keep you updated on his condition��excuse me�.��.He pushed open the door to return inside�..and John sighed�� Katherine�..how did they end up like this?��..he asked quietly��Kay shook her head�� I don�t know, John��.I just don�t know�but I do know that they will make it through this�.they have to��John nodded�� yes�they do�..��..he said softly..

Billy opened his eyes�..then groaned and shut them quickly�.his head�..it felt as if it might burst wide open�.his body felt stiff and heavy��and he attempted to open his eyes again�.slowly, this time�..he must have made it up to his room�.because he was definitely in bed��that whole thing about seeing his father�s face�when had that happened?�.he must have dreamt it�or hallucinated it�or something�.but he needed to get up�get to the hospital�find out about Mac�.he sat up slowly�..scratching his head�..prying his eyes fully open�.

Okay�.this was bizarre�..this place didn�t look familiar�..not at all�..it was small�.much smaller than his room�.with just a bed and a dresser�.no cd player�no tv�..just a poster of some old baseball player on the far wall��it looked like Ted Williams�and a square black thing with knobs and a dial�.it looked like a radio..but he couldn�t be absolutely sure�.he rubbed his eyes�.hoping that maybe it was the lingering effects of the bottle of vodka he�d had yesterday�but when he removed his fingers�..everything was still the same�.he shook his head back and forth��there must have been something else in that vodka.�some kind of drug or something��

� Bill!�I�m not calling you again!�.��..that voice�..at least that was familiar�..he�d know his Dad�s voice anywhere�..maybe he could explain what the hell was going on here��. � I�m up, Dad!�.��he called back��throwing off the covers�why wasn�t he wearing his sweats?�.and that t-shirt he always slept in?�..he looked down at himself�.old man boxers�.long�..practically down to his knees�.and a faded undershirt with holes in it�.something very, very weird was going on here�� Bill�..��.he turned his head at the familiar sound of his father�s voice�.turns out that was the only thing familiar about the man standing before him��oh, his face looked the same�..but he looked older, tired�.shabbily dressed�..wearing old work pants and a sweater with holes�.his posture stooped and bent�as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders�. � You�re not sick again, are you?�.��he asked�eyeing Billy carefully��.Billy stood silently�..unsure of what to say�� Um�.no��.he finally answered�scratching his head� � I�m just a little tired, I guess��The man nodded��. � of course�you�ve been working yourself to death lately�..holding down a job�going to school��I can�t tell you how grateful I am for your help, Bill�.especially while your brother�s away��.Billy nodded�..what the hell was going on?�his brother Jack was away?��.The man smiled � � You should get dressed�..I can drop you off at the soda shop on the way to the plant��Soda shop?�..whatever�..he was going to the hospital��whatever it took to get there��.He watched the man who seemed so familiar, yet strange leave the room..

� Now, promise me you�ll eat a decent dinner tonight�..no beer and no french fries�you know what that does to your face�.��..the pod John was saying�.Billy sat back against the seat of the car�simply numb�something bizarre was happening�.this was Genoa City�.but not the same Genoa City�all the tall buildings were gone�.even the Jabot offices weren�t there�..and all these old cars�and the weird clothing�.even the way he was dressed�.some dumb corduroy pants and an argyle sweater��and he was sure they�d passed the street where the hospital was�.he recognized the name�except there was no hospital�. � and make sure you get your homework as usual�.it�s enough that the school lets you show up whenever you can�.you don�t want to ruin your chance of graduating, Bill�.a diploma is important�..you�re going to make something of yourself��not like me�..��Billy looked over at the man who looked like his father�� except beaten�worn down by life�.. the man smiled�. � I know I tell you that all the time�.but I�m your father�and I don�t want you to end up like me�..you understand, don�t you son?�.��..Billy nodded silently�..if this was some weird hallucination�it sure felt real�..he turned back towards the window�searching for something familiar��if there was no hospital�.then where was Mac?��at her house?��no�.she couldn�t be��he closed his eyes��the way he�d always done these last few months�picturing her face�.her smile�.her lovely skin and hair�..but something different happened this time��her face was all fuzzy�..dim�..almost like a shadow�.something just out of his reach�.probably just the vodka�s lingering effect�

The old car lurched to a halt�� All set?��.the man asked��shaking Billy from his daze�..He nodded�.reaching for the books he�d found on top of the dresser this morning��. � Have a good day, son��the man reached out and touched his shoulder��.Billy forced a smile�.. � thanks�.er..Dad�..��.he opened the car door�..unsure of where to go�.they were in front of a small store�the sign above it said � Barrett�s Sweet Shoppe��.Sweet shoppe?�.. � I think you should move along, son..you know how Mr. Barrett hates it when you�re late�..��his father leaned across the wheel towards the window�.smiling encouragingly�.he gave a quick wave before pulling the car away��Billy stepped up onto the sidewalk�..looking around�..some building across the street�.with people that looked to be about his age milling around in front�..the sign said � Walnut Grove Academy.��..Walnut Grove�.the same Walnut Grove?�.the building was completely different�old�brick�..and he didn�t recognize any of the other buildings�

� About time you got here��..a voice came from behind him�.and he turned around�.a short, balding man�..wearing a white apron over his clean white shirt�� I was beginning to think you might be sick again.�..you�re not, are you?��. Billy stared for a moment�� um�no�..do I know you?�.��what the hell�.if this was some kind of hallucination..�he at least needed to know the players�maybe it could help him work his way back to his own life..�.the man threw back his head and laughed�� That�s rich��trying to pretend you don�t know your own boss now?�.Bill�.I know you�re tired�but nobody�s ever tired enough to forget this mug��.he pointed towards his face��and Billy couldn�t help but smile..the man seemed so kind�.his face open and friendly�.. � You look a little green, kid�.you sure you�re okay?�.not bad news from your brother?��.Billy shook his head�� No�.I guess I�m just a little out of it today�.that�s all��.. The man raised his eyebrows�.. � Out of it?�.out of what?�is that some new lingo you kids are using?�honestly�.between hepcat and jive and those crazy girls screaming their heads off at that skinny crooner�..the world is crazy these days�.��.he shook his head back and forth�.Billy had no idea what the man was talking about�..but he did notice something printed on his apron�..S.Barrett�this must be the Mr. Barrett his pseudo Dad had talked about�The man let out a sigh and then waved his hand�.. � let�s go��I want you to help me clean out the freezer before the lunch crowd from school gets here�.��.he opened the front door�and Billy had no choice but to follow him inside�school�.he had to mean Walnut Grove�he had to recognize somebody there��maybe they�d know what the hell was going on here�..
Billy opened his eyes�..then groaned and shut them quickly�.his head�..it felt as if it might burst wide open�.his body felt stiff and heavy��and he attempted to open his eyes again�.slowly, this time�..he must have made it up to his room�.because he was definitely in bed��that whole thing about seeing his father�s face�when had that happened?�.he must have dreamt it�or hallucinated it�or something�.but he needed to get up�get to the hospital�find out about Mac�.he sat up slowly�..scratching his head�..prying his eyes fully open�.

Okay�.this was bizarre�..this place didn�t look familiar�..not at all�..it was small�.much smaller than his room�.with just a bed and a dresser�.no cd player�no tv�..just a poster of some old baseball player on the far wall��it looked like Ted Williams�and a square black thing with knobs and a dial�.it looked like a radio..but he couldn�t be absolutely sure�.he rubbed his eyes�.hoping that maybe it was the lingering effects of the bottle of vodka he�d had yesterday�but when he removed his fingers�..everything was still the same�.he shook his head back and forth��there must have been something else in that vodka.�some kind of drug or something��

� Bill!�I�m not calling you again!�.��..that voice�..at least that was familiar�..he�d know his Dad�s voice anywhere�..maybe he could explain what the hell was going on here��. � I�m up, Dad!�.��he called back��throwing off the covers�why wasn�t he wearing his sweats?�.and that t-shirt he always slept in?�..he looked down at himself�.old man boxers�.long�..practically down to his knees�.and a faded undershirt with holes in it�.something very, very weird was going on here�� Bill�..��.he turned his head at the familiar sound of his father�s voice�.turns out that was the only thing familiar about the man standing before him��oh, his face looked the same�..but he looked older, tired�.shabbily dressed�..wearing old work pants and a sweater with holes�.his posture stooped and bent�as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders�. � You�re not sick again, are you?�.��he asked�eyeing Billy carefully��.Billy stood silently�..unsure of what to say�� Um�.no��.he finally answered�scratching his head� � I�m just a little tired, I guess��The man nodded��. � of course�you�ve been working yourself to death lately�..holding down a job�going to school��I can�t tell you how grateful I am for your help, Bill�.especially while your brother�s away��.Billy nodded�..what the hell was going on?�his brother Jack was away?��.The man smiled � � You should get dressed�..I can drop you off at the soda shop on the way to the plant��Soda shop?�..whatever�..he was going to the hospital��whatever it took to get there��.He watched the man who seemed so familiar, yet strange leave the room..

� Now, promise me you�ll eat a decent dinner tonight�..no beer and no french fries�you know what that does to your face�.��..the pod John was saying�.Billy sat back against the seat of the car�simply numb�something bizarre was happening�.this was Genoa City�.but not the same Genoa City�all the tall buildings were gone�.even the Jabot offices weren�t there�..and all these old cars�and the weird clothing�.even the way he was dressed�.some dumb corduroy pants and an argyle sweater��and he was sure they�d passed the street where the hospital was�.he recognized the name�except there was no hospital�. � and make sure you get your homework as usual�.it�s enough that the school lets you show up whenever you can�.you don�t want to ruin your chance of graduating, Bill�.a diploma is important�..you�re going to make something of yourself��not like me�..��Billy looked over at the man who looked like his father�� except beaten�worn down by life�.. the man smiled�. � I know I tell you that all the time�.but I�m your father�and I don�t want you to end up like me�..you understand, don�t you son?�.��..Billy nodded silently�..if this was some weird hallucination�it sure felt real�..he turned back towards the window�searching for something familiar��if there was no hospital�.then where was Mac?��at her house?��no�.she couldn�t be��he closed his eyes��the way he�d always done these last few months�picturing her face�.her smile�.her lovely skin and hair�..but something different happened this time��her face was all fuzzy�..dim�..almost like a shadow�.something just out of his reach�.probably just the vodka�s lingering effect�

The old car lurched to a halt�� All set?��.the man asked��shaking Billy from his daze�..He nodded�.reaching for the books he�d found on top of the dresser this morning��. � Have a good day, son��the man reached out and touched his shoulder��.Billy forced a smile�.. � thanks�.er..Dad�..��.he opened the car door�..unsure of where to go�.they were in front of a small store�the sign above it said � Barrett�s Sweet Shoppe��.Sweet shoppe?�.. � I think you should move along, son..you know how Mr. Barrett hates it when you�re late�..��his father leaned across the wheel towards the window�.smiling encouragingly�.he gave a quick wave before pulling the car away��Billy stepped up onto the sidewalk�..looking around�..some building across the street�.with people that looked to be about his age milling around in front�..the sign said � Walnut Grove Academy.��..Walnut Grove�.the same Walnut Grove?�.the building was completely different�old�brick�..and he didn�t recognize any of the other buildings�

� About time you got here��..a voice came from behind him�.and he turned around�.a short, balding man�..wearing a white apron over his clean white shirt�� I was beginning to think you might be sick again.�..you�re not, are you?��. Billy stared for a moment�� um�no�..do I know you?�.��what the hell�.if this was some kind of hallucination..�he at least needed to know the players�maybe it could help him work his way back to his own life..�.the man threw back his head and laughed�� That�s rich��trying to pretend you don�t know your own boss now?�.Bill�.I know you�re tired�but nobody�s ever tired enough to forget this mug��.he pointed towards his face��and Billy couldn�t help but smile..the man seemed so kind�.his face open and friendly�.. � You look a little green, kid�.you sure you�re okay?�.not bad news from your brother?��.Billy shook his head�� No�.I guess I�m just a little out of it today�.that�s all��.. The man raised his eyebrows�.. � Out of it?�.out of what?�is that some new lingo you kids are using?�honestly�.between hepcat and jive and those crazy girls screaming their heads off at that skinny crooner�..the world is crazy these days�.��.he shook his head back and forth�.Billy had no idea what the man was talking about�..but he did notice something printed on his apron�..S.Barrett�this must be the Mr. Barrett his pseudo Dad had talked about�The man let out a sigh and then waved his hand�.. � let�s go��I want you to help me clean out the freezer before the lunch crowd from school gets here�.��.he opened the front door�and Billy had no choice but to follow him inside�school�.he had to mean Walnut Grove�he had to recognize somebody there��maybe they�d know what the hell was going on here�..

Mac had managed to find her locker�.er�Maddie�s locker, that is�..it was funny�.the locker was in nearly the same spot as her locker at Walnut Grove�right near a hallway door�.outside the computer lab�except�it wasn�t a computer lab�.it was a reading room�.and this was a different building�..her head was swimming as she fiddled with the combination on the lock�.she had no idea what it might be�.damn�why hadn�t she read more of that diary?�.

� Don�t tell me you forgot your combination again?�.��..a voice came from behind her�.it wasn�t familiar�yet there was something in it�..something that made her head turn��She turned her head�to find a young girl�about her own age�.with blonde hair�curling around her shoulders�..and piercing, familiar blue eyes��.she�d know those eyes anywhere��.her grandmother�..the voice was higher�but the firm tone was just the same�her skin smooth and unlined�.she was beautiful, just like the picture she�d seen in the photo album�. � don�t give me that look, Maddie��that�s the third time in a week that�s happened��must be all that time you�re spending with James��she shook her head back and forth�.. � I told you�..that guy is no good��..why are you looking at me like that?��.Mac clutched her books tightly against her chest�her heart beat was so rapid, she was afraid it might be visible underneath her sweater�� Like what?��.she stammered��.. � Like I had a third eye or something��.as if you didn�t recognize me?�..Maddie�.are you all right?�..��the blue eyes turned dark with concern��Mac nodded�.forcing a smile�..talking to her own grandmother�..who was now the same age as she was�.this was normal, sure��happened every day�.. � yes�..I�m fine�..Katie�right?�.��.. she asked�� Yes, Katie�..of course�who else would I be?�.Judy Garland?�..are you sure you�re okay?�.��.Mac nodded again�. � yes�except�.I did forget my combination�..again�..�� God help us all��.2-13-2-28�remember?�..James� birthday�and the day you two met�..honestly�I think that�s a sign that you two weren�t meant to be�..you keep forgetting those dates�..��Mac smiled gratefully�.then turned around to open the locker�so her grandmother hated her Great Uncle?�..she�d never heard her mention him in anything but glowing terms�..what had made her change her mind?�.

� Are you ready for our shopping trip this afternoon?�.��Katie asked��.Mac finally got the lock open�.the inside of the locker had pictures inside�..one was Frank Sinatra�that she was sure of�but the other was the one that made her freeze��.the hair was different�slicked down, close to his head�..but the face�she�d know that wicked grin anywhere�.. � Hello ladies��.a voice from behind her made her stomach lurch��she�d know that voice anywhere as well..�that tone��she turned around�..the same face that smiled out from inside her locker��. � aren�t we looking lovely this morning?��especially you, Katie�.nice to see you finally did something about that acne��he grinned at Katie�.who smirked��.and then turned his gaze to Mac�.. � what�s the matter, honey?��.don�t you recognize your Jamesy ?�.��Mac�s knees trembled slightly��JT was her boyfriend?�

� I know what it is��.��..JT continued�� it�s the slick new threads�.ain�t I the limit?�.��he snapped his suspenders loudly�� My Dad finally decided to give me some cash for new clothes��I warned him that the results might be too devastating for the female population�.but he seemed willing to take the risk�..��..Katie groaned��.. � oh brother�..Maddie�.how do you put up with this?��.she asked��.. JT wagged his finger at her�.. � Now, now�down girl�don�t be jealous just because your man is off saving the world�.Maddie knows what a lucky girl she is�don�t you honey?��.Mac smiled weakly��her boyfriend was JT�..um�James�.but he was the image of JT�same voice..same face�..same attitude�.her Great Uncle Bucky was JT��she suddenly felt a little queasy�.. Katie let out a loud � HA!�.��..and turned her attention to Mac�.. � I�ll meet you at the Sweet Shoppe at 3��we can look at the magazines�get some ideas about your dress�.okay?��..Mac nodded�..wishing she could just fall asleep again�right here in the middle of the hallway�..and never wake up��she watched as Katie walked away�..her walk hadn�t changed a bit�.same firm, confident stride�.

� You girls going shopping for the dance?�.��James leaned one palm flat against the lockers�..smiling down at her�..Mac nodded�.wondering what the hell she would say next��He grinned��touching her chin with his finger�� good�.pick out something sexy, huh?�..like we saw in that movie last week?�..��Mac swallowed hard�� movie?�.��.James nodded�.moving his hand up to her cheek�� I�m not surprised you don�t remember��.we didn�t see much of the movie��.he winked at her�� just pick out something good�.make me proud�..��.he leaned down to kiss her�..and Mac was sort of surprised when he pulled back afterwards�.it wasn�t unpleasant�.not at all�in fact�it was okay�.. � I�ll see you later..okay?�.��he smiled��Mac nodded��he winked again and waved before walking down the hallway�snapping his suspenders loudly�..Mac let out a deep breath before turning around to close the locker door��okay�this was completely out of control now��JT kissed her�..and she hadn�t gotten sick�.she�d actually sort of enjoyed it�.and what was even stranger �..Billy had never entered her mind�.not at all�..in fact�..she couldn�t picture his face at all right now��.her memory of him growing dimmer and dimmer��that voice and face she�d thought about so much these past few months�..

During that whole day of classes�she tried to force herself to remember��hear his voice again�those things he�d said to her�.the way he used to look at her��but as the day went on��they grew dimmer and dimmer�.as if he were somebody she�d dreamt up�..she knew he existed�.maybe��but if she had to�.she couldn�t swear to it�..she was sure it would return someday�once she woke up from this nightmare�..but she had more important things to worry about now�.like getting back where she belonged�.

� That should do it�..��..Mr. Barrett said�wiping his brow��They�d spent the whole morning and most of the afternoon cleaning out the freezer�.and Billy was more exhausted than he�d ever been in his entire life�.as well as confused��.This place�.he�d never seen or heard of it before��it looked like those malt shops he�d seen on old TV shows��.there weren�t any of those in Genoa City�..and during his lunch break, he�d picked up a newspaper from the front counter�� ALLIES SUFFER HEAVY LOSSES IN EUROPE��the headline had read��that wasn�t what threw him�.it was the date he spotted above it��February 7th, 1942�..1942?��this place was like some kind of museum�.old magazines�..old newspapers�..except nothing looked old�.everything seemed brand new�.and those kids that came in for lunch?�he didn�t know any of them�.what was happening?�..but that wasn�t what scared him the most��During the whole exhausting morning he�d tried to think about other things�.like finding Mac�.seeing if she was okay�..but the weirdest thing kept happening�try as he might�he couldn�t seem to picture her face�..all of those months of trying to push her out of his mind� and he�d never been successful�.at least, not until now�the harder he worked to try and remember�.the further away her face and voice seemed to grow�until it was almost as if she was someone he�d fabricated in his head�..he knew she existed�.maybe�.but if he had to swear to it�.he wasn�t sure�..he was sure it would return someday�once he woke up from this hallucination�or whatever the hell this was�.but he had more important things to worry about now�.like getting back where he belonged�..

� Greetings my loving public!�.��..James said as he entered the Sweet Shoppe�snapping his suspenders loudly��Mr. Barrett emerged from behind the counter�smirking��. � Keep it down to a dull roar, will you kid?�..��.James grinned�.. � Sure, pops�..just acknowledging my fan club�.it�s rough being so popular�.I know how poor Clark Gable feels..��he sat down at a table with two other kids�.�.and Mr. Barrett shook his head back and forth�.heading back over to the counter�..Billy stood frozen behind the counter�..ice cream scoop frozen in midair��JT��it figured�.he hadn�t recognized one person the entire day�..and when he finally did�it turned out to be JT�� Don�t let him get to you kid�..��Mr. Barrett slapped Billy on the shoulder��.which woke him out of his trance��. � What?�.��he said�.dropping the ice cream into the dish in front of him��Mr. Barrett smiled�.. � James��he motioned with his head towards the table��. � I know you and he have had your moments�.and I don�t want any trouble here�.understand?�.��.Billy nodded�..so they knew each other�. Well, the last thing he needed right now was a fight�.things were bad enough�.he turned his back to the counter to put the dirty glasses in the sink�..

�Well�.lookie here�if it isn�t the Lana Turner of Genoa City?��he heard JT�s voice bellow from behind him�.and picked up his head to listen.. �� That�s real original, Jamesy�..save it for the funny papers�.��oh, God�another familiar voice��this one female�.please, God�don�t let it be true�.he glanced over his shoulder��groaning when he spotted her�same blonde hair�.same eyebrows arched up high� � Oh Betty�come on, honey��.you didn�t play so hard to get last week�..��.JT said loudly��..the two boys at the table with him snickered�� Stop dreaming, Jamesy�..save it for that girlfriend of yours�.oh wait�that wouldn�t be a dream�that would be a nightmare�..��she giggled loudly��Billy kept his back to the counter�wishing the floor would open up and magically get him out of this place�. � Hey, Bill��.��..he heard the female voice grow soft and seductive�. � I�m here�just like I said I�d be�..in fact�I�m early�..��she threw her books down on the counter��and Billy exhaled deeply�.wiping his hands before he turned around�.. what the hell was he going to say?�.whatever comes into your head, dumbass�this is a dream, remember?�who cares?�� Hey, Betty�..��.he said�forcing a smile��She returned it�the same phony, plastic smile she always had�..her lips painted red�.to match the cherries pinned in her hair�. � I see you�re still slaving away in this dump�..��..she said angrily�.. � and I suppose that means another night of watching you work�.oh, unless it�s another thrilling evening of helping you with your homework?��

Oh, brother�even in his dreams she was a pain in the ass�always nagging at him about something or other��.what was she doing with him, anyway?�..it wasn�t as if he had any money or anything�.now, that felt weird�..no money�.working and going to school�..He shrugged his shoulders�� wiping at the counter idly�.. � I�m sorry if it�s not thrilling enough for you, Betty��but you know I need this job�..��.he said�..it felt good not to give a crap about what he said�especially to Brittany�even if she wasn�t really Brittany�.. � What does that mean?��..she asked�her voice high and shrill��.. � If you�re even thinking about dumping me�forget it��.��.Billy shrugged again��. � Maybe I am��after all�.a girl like you��you deserve a lot of things�.( author�s note: none of which can be printed here) and I�m so busy all the time�.all I�m saying is maybe you should look elsewhere��keep your options open�.��. � Keep my options open?��what the hell does that mean?�.I don�t need this you know�there are plenty of guys who would die for a chance at a girl like me�.��.Betty�s voice grew even higher�..the whole place was listening to them now�.

� Let her have it Bucky!!!��..someone yelled from across the room�..and Billy paused for a minute�Bucky?�.who the hell was Bucky?�..he supposed he was talking to him�..so he looked over and smiled�.his face confused�� Ignore those idiots!��.Betty demanded��.. � I want to know what you meant by that remark!�..and it had better be good, Bill��Billy smiled at her��what the hell�go for it�� What I meant was�.I think I�ve been pretty selfish�..keeping you all to myself�..I think you should be spreading yourself around a little�that�s all��..He heard a hoot from JT�s table��. � Too late�.she�s been spreading it around for months, Bucky��..I can let you know the details�if you�re interested��.Billy looked over at JT�who was grinning from ear to ear��He held up his hand�.. � thanks��maybe some other time��.��.he turned back to Betty�whose face was now nearly as red as the cherries pinned in her hair��she grabbed her books from the counter�.. � Fine�..if that�s the way you want it�it�s your loss�..��she spat angrily��she nearly knocked over the two girls who were standing in the doorway in her rush to leave�..

Mac barely caught a glimpse of the face rushing past her�.but that was more than enough time to recognize who it was�.the dream had now officially turned into a nightmare�.. � Geez�Betty is such a tramp, isn�t she?�.��Katie said�.Mac looked at her�.. �Betty?�..��she realized she was talking about Brittany�.er Betty�.. � Oh, Betty!� �she said quickly��. � Yes�I guess she is��Katie smirked�� You guess?�.weren�t you the one who said so.?�just last week, after you saw her and Bill at the movies?�..��.Bill��that name from the diary�..the one who had turned up drunk at school�..was he here?�..she nodded�.. � I guess��..she said�.looking around the room�.. � this place is packed�..��she said��Katie shrugged�.. � No more than usual�..but I see James is in his usual place�.showing off��..Mac looked around the room again��she spotted him over at a corner table��attempting to stand on his head for a crowd of kids around him�.. � let�s get those magazines and get out of here�before he starts his next trick�..and shouldn�t you be giving Bill his homework?�.��..Katie asked�heading over to the rack of magazines�.Mac followed her�giving her a blank look�.. � Homework?�..��..Katie looked up from the magazine she was perusing�.. � Yes, homework�I thought you two had an arrangement about that��unless something�s changed?�.��.Mac paused�� Um�no �..nothing�s changed�I just forgot�that�s all��er�em�I don�t see him around�do you?��she glanced around the room�.Katie sighed�.placing one hand on her hip�� very funny, Maddie�.you should be on the radio�.he�s right over there�..��..she pointed to the opposite side of the room�behind the counter�..and Mac raised her eyes�..

She wasn�t sure what she expected to happen�but she was somewhat surprised at what did happen�.nothing�the boy standing behind the counter was completely unfamiliar�nice enough looking, she guessed�sandy blonde hair and blue eyes�..tall and thin�.dressed in the strangest looking sweater she�d ever seen�.he looked sort of shabby�.and confused�..he was moving around behind the counter�so he must work here�. She moved hesitantly across the room towards him�the diary did say that they barely knew each other�.so it wouldn�t be too weird if she had nothing much to say to him�..

� Um�excuse me?�.��she said softly�� Can I help you?��he said without looking up�� Um�Bill�..I er�I have your..um..homework�..��he looked up at her��a girl�with long dark hair�waving around her shoulders�wearing a red sweater and a plaid skirt�..did he know her?�was he supposed to know her?�.she smiled�..a little awkwardly, he thought�.she was holding some books in her arms�. � I just have to write it down��.I�ll have it in a minute, okay?�.��.he paused for a moment�then nodded�.pod Dad had said something about an arrangement with school�.this girl was probably part of that�.giving him his homework assignment�.he smiled back�she was pretty�.really pretty eyes�.dark and soft�.. � sure�thanks��..he said quietly�..she looked relieved as she sat down on one of the stools in front of the counter�.opening up a notebook to begin jotting down the assignments�. � I really appreciate you doing this for me�.��..he said�.not wanting to walk away just then�..he felt a little comfortable around her�..more so than he had since this whole nightmare had started�and for the life of him, he couldn�t figure out why��he should be concentrating on getting back to Mac�that is�if she even really existed��he couldn�t be sure right now�the only thing he felt sure of at this moment was that he felt relaxed�for the very first time that day�..

She looked up at him�pencil in hand�and smiled�.. � it�s no problem��really�..��..she said�..he did have a nice smile�his eyes crinkled up at the corners�. She wondered why the diary said he seemed to be having such a rough time�drinking and all�he looked okay�.just a little confused�..in fact, he looked almost as confused as she felt�she smiled again before turning back to the notebook�.. � Maddie!�.��..Billy looked across the room at the sound of another girl�s voice��a blonde�about his age�.she seemed to be calling the girl sitting before him�.but she wasn�t paying attention�.or hadn�t heard�or so it seemed�she continued scribbling down the assignment�The girl walked up behind her�. � Maddie, are you deaf or something?�.didn�t you hear me calling you?..��..the girl looked up�.her cheeks pink with embarrassment�she glanced briefly at Billy before turning around to the girl behind her�.. � I guess not�..sorry�.��The girl shook her head��then glanced at Billy�.. � Hi Bill��she smiled�and Billy could swear there was something familiar about her�.maybe it was her eyes�.deep blue�piercing�..he smiled� � Hi�..��he said�. � I�m glad to see you�re feeling a little better��did Maddie tell you that she handled the whole food drive without you?�.��..the girl asked�. � Katie!�.��Mac interrupted��.looking up at Billy�.who still looked so confused�� Food drive?�.��the only food drive he knew about was the one they�d just had at Walnut Grove�and he was there�he remembered that much�..that was the day he saw Mac and JT shaking hands�Katie rolled her eyes as she put her books down on the counter..�.. � God Help us all�.he doesn�t remember�..��.Billy froze�God help us all�..he only knew of one person who ever used that phrase�.. � What is it with the both of you?�.you both have amnesia or something?�.first Maddie �now you��.Billy remained silent�..it couldn�t be�..he looked closely at Katie��those eyes�..that voice�it was higher than he remembered�but the firm tone�the way she waved her hands around�and her name was Katie�.Katherine�.he glanced down at the books on the counter��her notebook had writing scribbled all over it�..girlish handwriting�hearts�� Mrs. Katie Reynolds��.written about a hundred different ways��Mac�s grandmother�..he felt dizzy��so Mac�s grandmother was now his age�..right�sure�..then there was no Mac�..at least not that he could remember��he must have dreamt that�along with everything else��he glanced over at the other girl�.who was looking back at him with the strangest look on her face��almost as if she were trying to remember something as well�he smiled at her�.. for some reason�he wanted to make her smile again�.. he shrugged his shoulders�.. � I guess we�re both just working too hard�.right Maddie?�.��.he asked softly�..and felt something like peace inside him when she smiled back at him�� I guess so�..��.she said�..

The more Mac looked at the shabby boy behind the counter, the more something happened inside her�..some sort of unexplainable feeling�..comfort�..almost as if she actually belonged in this insane dream that seemed so real�he had really nice blue eyes�..and a nice smile�..and there seemed to be much more there than meets the eye�.why was he working here?�..why didn�t he go to school with everyone else?��she wondered if he was anything at all like Billy��.but Billy didn�t really exist�at least not in anyway that she could remember� � We�d better get going, Maddie�.I found a few ideas in the magazines�.and we only a a week left before the dance��.Katie said�..she turned to Billy�. � You taking Betty to the dance, Bill?�.��..Billy tore his eyes away from Maddie to look at Katie�. � dance?��..he asked�..Katie sighed loudly�. � what is it with you?�.the Valentine�s Day dance�.from what Maddie said she saw at the movies last week�you and Betty looked pretty close�..��. � Katie�please�..��..Mac interrupted��Billy raised his eyebrows�.so this girl had been watching him?�.it made him happy for some strange reason� � We did?�.��.he asked�..glancing over at Mac�whose face had turned scarlet�.he smiled�..shaking his head�.. � I think that must have been a phase I was going through or something��.no�..I�m not taking Betty�.��.he said the words very softly�his eyes focused intently on the dark ones in front of him�Katie clapped her hands together�. � good!�then you�re free to help the committee!�..we need servers��and you�re already trained��besides�.you can pick up a few tips here and there��her last words were matter of fact�not meant to be hurtful or condescending�.. � Katie�.will you stop trying to arrange everything?�..shouldn�t we be going?�.��..Mac said�she felt embarrassed for him�..even though she barely knew him�He smiled gently�� it�s all right��..Katie�s right��I could use the extra money, I guess��sure�.I�ll help you out�.��..he nodded at Katie�who smiled�.. � good�now let�s get out of here before�� Hello, ladies�..��..a voice came from behind them before she could finish her sentence�and Katie groaned�..the sound of suspenders snapping made her groan again�

Billy glanced up at JT�..who was grinning from ear to ear��he felt his body tense up when he reached down and kissed Maddie on the cheek��.great�the one person he felt a real connection with�.and she was with JT�. � We were just leaving, James�.��Katie said��grabbing her books�� see you, Bill�..��she said�grabbing Maddie by the arm�� Mac stood up�.ripping a page out of the notebook�� here�s the assignments��.I hope I remembered everything�.��she said as she handed it to him�.He took it from her�..their fingers brushing against each other briefly�..the warmth from her hand surging up his arm like flame�.he smiled�. � thanks�..I appreciate it�.��..he said softly�he couldn�t seem to tear his eyes from her face�.. � My girl does lots of things right�.��.JT said smugly�..wrapping his arm around Mac�s shoulder�� and she�ll be the prettiest girl at the dance that night�.guarantee it�..you taking Betty?��..he looked at Billy��who was still staring intently at Mac�.. � um�.no�..looks like I�ll be working that night�..��.he said softly��.JT grinned�. � eh�too bad�.well�look at the bright side�you can always spike the punch�have a few snorts under the table�that�s what you do best, isn�t it?�� Shut up, James�..��.Katie snapped�.. � shouldn�t you be standing on your head or something?�entertaining your public?�.��.JT nodded�.glancing back at his table�.. � I guess�they do look a little lonely without me, don�t they?�.I just wanted to make sure that old Bill here wasn�t getting any ideas��.��.he leaned in close to Billy�s face�.. � You�re not getting any ideas�.are you?�..��..his tone was threatening��

Billy glanced over at Mac�..who had her face down�staring at her shoes��..he held up his hands�. � Nope�no ideas here�..none�..��..he shook his head��JT smiled and backed away�.. � good�..keep it that way��now, you two ladies run along��and make sure you pick out something good�okay, honey?�.��..he leaned down and kissed the side of her face�..his eyes still fixed on Billy�s��Katie grabbed Mac�s hand��. � let�s go�..��Mac grabbed her books��glancing up briefly at Billy�� bye�.��.she said softly��..He smiled��. � �bye�.and thanks again�..��.she nodded��letting Katie drag her to the door��she glanced back over her shoulder at him again�.just once before they left��what was happening?��..why did she feel this weird connection with someone she�d just met?�..she guessed he must have felt it too�..because he was looking back at her��smiling ��she�d have to find a way to ask Katie more about him�maybe she could fill in the blanks��

� You�d better watch yourself, Bucky�..��.JT said when the girls were gone��Billy looked at him�..he wasn�t smiling now��his face and tone threatening��. � I thought we had a deal, Bucky��.. �Deal?��what deal?��Billy asked uneasily�that comfort he�d been feeling while Maddie was here was gone now�replaced with that same sick, nauseous feeling of not knowing what to expect�. � Don�t give me that crap, Bucky boy�.you know what deal I�m talking about�..you keep Betty happy�and occupied�..and I keep slipping you that five a week��.and don�t forget the occasional bottle of hootch now and then�..��..Billy grew even more uneasy��. � keep her occupied?�.why?�what�s it to you? You were the one giving her crap just a few minutes ago, weren't you?��JT leaned forward and grabbed the front of his sweater�. � Don�t play stupid with me, Bucky�you know how it is between Betty and me, she�s a good time�but Maddie and me�.that�s different �.and you were supposed to keep Betty busy�..so she�d keep that big mouth of hers shut�..you really did it this time, Bucky��.and I promise you�if Maddie finds out about me and Betty�..well�..��he smiled evilly�.. � let�s just say you won�t have to worry about getting drafted�.you�ll be a permanent 4F��.��.Maddie��he was cheating on her with Brittany�er Betty�.geez, she was a slut even in his dreams�..Billy yanked himself free from JT�s grasp�.. � go to hell�..��..he snapped�what difference did it make?..he�d wake up soon, and this whole thing would be over with�� Oh�.Bucky�s developed a few guts, has he?�..where?�.from a bottle?��wanna take this outside?�.��.JT taunted��

� Out!�.��Mr. Barrett�s voice boomed from behind JT�s head��. � I mean it, James�..I don�t care how much money your father has�..take your sorry self out of here�now�.��JT paused for a minute before turning around��.he smirked�. � fine�who needs this dump, anyway?��he threw up his hands in disgust�. � Just remember what I said, Bucky��he pointed one finger at Billy before gathering up his books��. � you�d better hope that Betty is better at keeping her mouth closed than she is her legs�..��.he snickered before opening the door to leave��.Mr. Barrett shook his head back and forth��. � that kid is a pip��.didn�t I warn you not to get involved with that punk?�.��..he turned back to Billy��who had no idea what to say�.he�d taken money from JT?�.to keep Brittany busy?�..so that girl Maddie wouldn�t find out?�..that lovely girl�..with her soft voice�and those pretty eyes�what was she doing with JT?�.. � look�if you need extra money�..I can always float you a loan�.that kid is no good�.the sooner he goes off to the army�the better off we�ll all be around here�..��Mr. Barrett stepped behind the counter��.. � did you get your assignments?�.��..he slapped Billy on the shoulder�.who nodded��.Mr. Barrett smiled�.. � good�..why don�t you go in back?�.get started on your homework before the dinner crowd comes in ?�.��Billy paused for a minute�then nodded�this man was really nice��maybe he�d put his head down and fall asleep�..and when he woke up�he�d be in his own room again�..this nightmare or hallucination or whatever it was had gone on long enough�..

� I think we made the right decision�..��..Katie was saying as they stepped off the bus�..Mac nodded�.her head was spinning��those clothes�and the prices?�..she�d never seen anything like it in her life�.even when she was on the street�.buying stuff from thrift stores�she clutched the box containing the dress Katie helped her pick out underneath her arm�. � that dress is absolutely divine on you�..��Katie sighed��. � I just wish your brother was here��and not half a world away�..��..Mac looked at her face�..it was wistful and sad��her own grandmother�.dreamy eyed over her boyfriend�..it felt sort of icky�..but comforting�..at least she knew how that turned out�..she had no idea what to expect next for Maddie�.even though she was getting used to answering to that name�..she smiled�.reaching up to touch her shoulder�� I know you miss him��.I miss him too�.��she said quietly�.and it wasn�t a lie�.she missed knowing him��he must have been special�..Katie nodded�.smiling again�� I know you do��.but I am going to be at that dance�..watching you closely, my dear�..��.They stepped onto the sidewalk as the bus pulled away�.

� Watching me?��why?��..Mac asked�.looking around�..they were in front of Walnut Grove again�.at least it was somewhere she recognized�.Katie folded her arms over her chest��. � because�..I�m beginning to suspect that you�re finally listening to what I�ve been telling you��..about that no good boyfriend of yours��.Mac paused��. � James?�..why?�..he was perfectly fine this afternoon��you know he�s always like that ��.it was true�.JT always liked to show off in front of a crowd��and he always liked to mix things up��.Katie waved her hand�� Then why all the questions about Bill then?�..��.she asked suddenly��.. � and why is your face red?�..��she smiled�..and Mac could feel her face burn��she shrugged her shoulders casually�.. � I don�t know��.I guess I felt a little sorry for him��that�s all�.��..Katie smiled��.wagging her finger at Mac�.. � don�t give me that�.I told you�.I suspected you were fixated on that boy, didn�t I?�.he is awfully nice��.and he has had a real rough time of it�especially since his mother died�..��..Mac nodded�..Katie had told her about Bill��how his father had worked so hard since losing his own business�..and how he had to make special arrangements with school in order to work and still be able to graduate�..and how he sometimes drank�.a lot��probably to try and forget his situation�..he sounded lonely�and sad�. � It is a sad story��poor guy�..��..she said quietly��Katie nodded�� that�s why I asked him to help the committee�.I�m sure they could use the extra money�..��she saw Mac gazing across the street��Billy was out front�.sweeping the sidewalk in front of the Sweet Shoppe�..she�d come and gone and he was still there�working�..Katie watched her friend�s face closely�..something seemed different about her today�.oh..she looked the same�.but something was different�she was quieter�more thoughtful��and more interested in the shabbily dressed boy sweeping the sidewalk than she had ever been before�.she smiled�.this might prove very interesting��She linked her arm through Mac�s�.. � How about we go and have a soda before we head home?�..My mother is making Tuna Surprise again�.and the later I get there�the less chance there is I�ll have to eat it�..��Katie winked�and Mac laughed��her grandmother�s personality had changed very little over the years�she still said exactly what she was thinking�..she shrugged�. � Why not?��she said as they crossed the street�.

� Hey Bill�..��.Katie said as they reached the sidewalk��Billy was deep in thought��he had put his head down�..in the small back room where he was supposed to be doing homework�he�d managed to get that finished in no time��the stuff they passed off as math was stuff they�d done in seventh grade�.but even when he feel asleep�.he awoke to find himself in the same place�..wearing the same shabby clothing��but he did find out one interesting thing��and that thing had occupied his thoughts ever since�.his last name�.it wasn�t Abbott��..it was Mackenzie��Bill Mackenzie��.that name�..connected in his heart to a face that he could no longer see�.a voice he could no longer hear��what did it all mean?�and why was this happening?�..

� Hello?��..a soft female voice broke his thoughts��for a brief second he thought it might be�.no�.her voice wasn�t like that at all�..was it?��he looked up�..that girl�.with the long dark hair�.her face all soft and full of concern�..that feeling coming over him again�..a quiet peace�comfort�..he smiled�.. � hi�..back again?�.��..he asked softly�..Katie noticed the looks passing between the two� � yes�.Maddie�s helping me avoid my mother�s Tuna Surprise�..��.Billy laughed�.for what seemed to be the first time since this whole nightmare had started�Katherine had a way with words�even as a teenager�.. � were the assignments okay?�.��Mac asked�..shifting the box underneath her other arm��He nodded�..setting the broom aside�� yes�fine�thanks�can I take that for you?��.he pointed towards the box��She paused for a minute�..then nodded�handing it to him�� thanks�..��..he smiled�holding it in his hands�..a dress box�.he wondered briefly what kind of dress it was�.what she might look like wearing it�..she couldn�t possibly look any better than she did right now�..smiling�her eyes all lit up�.. � I�ll put it behind the counter�..��he grabbed the broom and headed inside the shop�.

� See?�..he likes you�I told you he was nice�didn�t I?..�.��..Katie whispered ��Mac turned around�forgetting for just a second that she was talking to her own grandmother�.. � You think so?��she asked��it made her heart skip a beat�..her stomach felt fluttery�..that same feeling she used to get with Billy�..or at least�.she thought so�everything about Billy seemed to grow further and further away��Katie nodded�� definitely�..and he is cute, isn�t he?�..he looks like Alan Ladd�a little�.��Alan Ladd?�.who the heck was that?�.. � I guess��maybe he was just being polite�..��..Mac answered�.looking inside the store�.he was behind the counter now�..wiping it down�..he must have felt her watching because he looked up at her and smiled�..she smiled back�. � oh, I don�t think so��.he�s looking at you the way Spencer Tracey looked at Katherine Hepburn in that movie�.let�s go inside already�.��..Katie gave her a gentle shove in the back�..and Mac moved inside the store�. � Good�.no sign of James�.��.Katie said�glancing around the nearly empty shop�.. � let�s sit at the counter�.��She sat down on one of the empty stools�..right in front of where Billy stood behind the counter�� sit��she patted the stool next to her�.smiling up at Billy�.who had not been able to take his eyes off Mac since he�d caught her glancing at him through the open door..

� So, what can I get for you ladies?�..��..Billy asked �.still looking at Mac�.who had finally sat down�.her heart was beating so rapidly��she could feel her cheeks turning pink�..she looked up�to find him still gazing at her�..something about his eyes��what was it?�..she felt as if she had seen it before�..somewhere�.but that was impossible�.she�d only met him this afternoon�..she grabbed a menu from behind a tall container that held drinking straws�� Maddie�please�don�t tell me you haven�t already memorized that menu�..��.Katie snatched it out of her hand�� I�ll have a chocolate soda��.extra chocolate�.what the heck?�..less room for Tuna Surprise�.��..she smiled��glancing over at Mac�who was looking down at her hands in her lap��great�.she�d need to work at this�� Billy saw how uncomfortable she seemed��great�probably because he was staring at her like some kind of stalker or something�� Maddie?�..��he asked softly�.waiting until she looked up to smile at her�� chocolate soda for you too?�..��she felt a feeling grow inside her��as if there were oceans and rivers of things to discover about this boy standing before her�..it made her feel safe�.almost happy�..she smiled back�.. � no�.vanilla�..��she answered quietly�� Since when?�I thought you hated vanilla?�..��.Katie asked��Mac froze�oh brother�.with her luck�.Maddie was probably allergic to vanilla�and she�d blow up like a balloon or something�� Maybe she�s just ready for a change�..��Billy said softly�..his eyes serious and deep blue when she looked up at him�..she nodded�smiling gratefully at him�� I�ll have them in a minute�..��.he said�.moving towards the fountain at the end of the counter�.

� Oh�.he is interested�..��.Katie whispered after he left�� You know he wasn�t just talking about the vanilla, don�t you?�..that was a great move, by the way�keeping him off guard like that�..keep it up�.��Mac turned to face her�� do you really think so?�.he wasn�t just making conversation?�..��.Katie shook her head�� nope�..not a chance�.and I think he�s right�.you are ready for a change�especially from that boyfriend of yours�.��. � aren�t you jumping the gun a little?�.he didn�t say he was interested��..Mac said�.hoping she would disagree�.she glanced over at the end of the counter�..he was looking at her again�.over his shoulder�while he made the sodas�.he turned away quickly�.almost as if he were embarrassed at being caught�. � Sometimes actions speak louder than words�.��Katie said quietly�� he can�t keep his eyes off you��which is more than I can say for that boyfriend of yours��honestly, Maddie�.you shouldn�t have spent so much on that dumb birthday present for him��.��.she shook her head back and forth�. � that watch was way too expensive�and I know you planned to give it to him the night of the dance��but maybe by that time�..you�ll have changed your mind�.maybe fate is trying to tell you something�..��Mac paused at her Katie�s words�.Fate�she hadn�t thought about that��.what was happening here?�.was she messing with fate?�..or destiny or something?��James was her Uncle Bucky��at least, that�s what she suspected�so why did she feel so drawn to Bill?��because she wasn�t Maddie�.not really�she was Mac�.and she couldn�t mess with destiny�could she?�..the future would be all screwed up �..who knows if she would even be born if she messed something up?�..but still��she couldn�t be sure if any of this was real or not�.it felt real�..it seemed so real�these people��this time�..and Bill�..he seemed so lonely�.sad��he seemed like he needed someone�.she was tired of thinking about it�� maybe so�.��she said quietly��all she wanted was to put her head down�.go to sleep�wake up in her own room again..

� There you go�.��.Bill�s voice broke her thoughts as he set down the sodas��.Her face looked so sad�so confused�..in spite of Katie�s presence�she seemed so alone�� hey�.you okay?��.he asked�his voice full of concern�� Ooh�there�s Livvy�..��Katie said suddenly�..these two needed to be alone�right now�..might as well get this thing started as quickly as possible�.she hopped off the stool�taking her soda in her hand�.. � she�s on the committee�.and I really need to talk to her about the decorations�..I won�t be long�.��she touched Mac�s arm briefly before heading to a table across the room�..Mac squirmed on the stool�..her grandmother was as direct as ever..��

�Subtle..isn�t she?��.Billy said suddenly�..and was delighted when Maddie laughed and nodded�.. � You noticed that, huh?�sorry about that�she does mean well��..she said�.He grinned and nodded�. � yes�.I did�..actually�.I�m sort of glad she did that�..��..he surprised himself by saying that�..She looked up at him�..a smile on her lips�� You are?�.how come?�.��.He shrugged his shoulders�.wiping the counter and hoping she wouldn�t notice his trembling hands�what was he doing?�flirting with some girl he�d just met?�..he couldn�t seem to help himself�� well�..I wanted to apologize to you�..for that food drive thing��.leaving you alone like that�.��he couldn�t imagine why anyone would want to leave her alone�..she smiled�.. � It�s all right�..I understand��um�.I just hope that you�re�um�..I don�t know how to say this�.��she hesitated��. He smiled�. � just say it�..I�m beginning to realize that�s the best way�just say whatever it is you�re feeling��keeping things inside doesn�t do anybody any good�.��.he�d learned that lesson the hard way��keeping those feelings he had for Mac bottled up for so long��it had backfired in all their faces�besides..this was a dream��he could say anything he wanted to�..what difference did it make?�.

Mac looked at his face��some hidden sadness behind his eyes�.she smiled�.hesitating for a minute before reaching over to touch his hand briefly�Billy had always resented her bringing up his drinking�
� I hope that you�re not drinking�.that�s what I was going to say�..��.she said softly�.he looked surprised for a second��both by her words..and his reaction to her touch��her hand was small and soft�.and so gentle�.drinking�..JT did say something about slipping him a bottle now and then�.so Bill Mackenzie had the same problem Billy Abbott did��well�.Bill Mackenzie wasn�t going to make the same mistakes as Billy Abbott�at least not while he was seemingly in charge of his life��he smiled�.. � No�..I�m not��I figure I have enough to deal with right now�.without being drunk�..��..her smile was genuine��. � good�..glad to hear it�..��..was all she said�no lecture�.no harsh words��just a beaming smile� � So��.Billy said quietly�disappointed when she drew her hand back to the glass before her�� I guess you�re all set for the dance, huh?�.��.he gestured to the box behind the counter��Mac nodded�� I guess��she wondered just how much longer this dream would last�.she could wake up any time now��and nothing she said would matter after that, anyway�..and he was nice�..very sweet�..and there was something familiar about him�� and you�ll be there now�..isn�t that right?�.��..she said suddenly��.He nodded�. � Yup�.you heard Katie�she wouldn�t take no for an answer��.��..she nodded��lowering her eyes to her soda glass�� so maybe you�ll save me a dance?�.��..he blurted out��surprising himself again�.a sense of relief washing over him when she looked up and smiled��. � I guess I could do that��as long as James isn�t around��I wouldn�t want any trouble or anything�..��.James�JT�.God knows he loved to cause trouble�.no matter what century it seemed to be�..Billy�s smile faded slightly��.another girl who belonged to someone else�.why did that always seem to happen to him?�.He shrugged�.. � then again�maybe not��he said sadly�� Hey Bill!�..we need more ketchup over here!�.��a boy�s voice floated in from over Mac�s shoulder��. � Excuse me�will you?��.he said�.grabbing the ketchup bottle from the counter before heading over to the table�..

Mac sipped the soda slowly�..he�d backed out of that pretty quickly��she guessed it was because of what had happened earlier��what did Maddie see in James, anyway?��he seemed to be nothing but a creepy showoff�..but obviously there was more there�.there must be�.she married him, didn�t she?�.she sighed�.this whole situation was getting more and more confusing��and there seemed to be no end in sight�..who knows what might happen next?�.and Bill was so nice�what the hell?��she looked up at him when he returned��..he hadn�t come back over��he was putting dishes in the sink�.. go for it, Mac�..what difference did it make?�.. � Um�.Bill?�.��.she asked quietly��he turned at the sound of her voice��.. � Yes?�.you want something else?�another soda?��..he asked�wiping his hands�� No�..thanks�.��she said�� Um�.I was just wondering��I�ve been having a little trouble��.with�er�.math�..��..that was a lie�.the stuff they�d done in class today was stuff she�d done in seventh grade�.. � and I was just wondering��.Katie tells me that you�re a math genius�..and if you had a little extra time�..I wouldn�t want to interfere with your job or anything�.��.He smiled�..she was adorable�..her cheeks all pink�..biting her lip nervously�� would tomorrow be too soon to start?�.��.he asked before she could finish��she smiled�� No�.it wouldn�t��.��.. � Fine�.come by after school��I�ll wait to take my dinner break�.okay?�.��..she nodded��.. �thanks..�.I�d really appreciate it��..and um�.I won�t say anything to James��okay?�.��he nodded��.smiling�.. � fine by me�..the less I see of James�the better I like it�..no offense, of course�..��..she smiled��nodding her head�..what was she getting herself into?�