D. MacHale - The Never War

Mark’s heart swelled.

“You sure?” Courtney asked. ”Absolutely,” Bobby answered. “I’ve got no secrets from you guys.”

The three left the house and walked through the quiet suburban neighborhood toward 2 Linden Place. The last time they had done this, Bobby was expecting to be reunited with his family after his adventure on Denduron. It was a gut-wrenching moment when Bobby first realized his house, and his life, were gone. Everyone knew that going back again would be tough.

It only took them five minutes to get there. Nobody said a word as Bobby stood in front of the empty lot. Grass and weeds had taken over since the last time they were there, making the empty space look all the more forlorn. Bobby started to walk onto the lot, but stopped himself and stayed on the sidewalk. Mark and Courtney shared a look. They saw a tear in Bobby’s eye.

A car horn sounded a short hello, and the three turned to see a long, black limousine pull up to the curb. The three exchanged curious looks. This was the last thing any of them expected. But when a back door opened, sure enough, out stepped Gunny Van Dyke. He wore a plain, dark suit and tie that could have been in style any time since 1937.

“Morning, folks,” Gunny said with a big grin as he strode over to meet them.

Bobby began to introduce his friends, saying, “Gunny, this is-“

“I know who they are,” Gunny interrupted with a warm smile. “Courtney Chetwynde and Mark Dimond. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

They all shook hands.

“You’re my hero,” Courtney said in awe.

“I am?” Gunny asked with surprise.

“Hey, anybody who saves Earth from annihilation is a hero in my book.” Gunny laughed.

“Is it okay that we’re here?” Mark asked. “I mean, you guys have business and all.”

“No, it’s good you’re here,” Gunny assured them. “This involves you too.”

Mark and Courtney exchanged glances. That was weird. What could Gunny have to say that would involve the two of them?

“What’s up? You win the lottery?” Bobby asked, pointing at the limo.

“Don’t I wish,” Gunny chuckled. “Back on First Earth, shortly after you left the hotel, a fella came by looking for you. Said he had something important to tell you and wanted to give you something. I told him you were gone, but that I could get it to you.”

“Who was it?” Bobby asked.

“Don’t go jumping ahead, shorty,” Gunny chastised. “Let me tell the story. Anyhow, he wouldn’t give up. Said he wanted to talk to you himself. When he finally told me what it was all about, I understood why he wanted to see you so bad. I told him I wasn’t sure if you’d ever be back and promised to give you the package as soon as I saw you.”

“So what is it?” Bobby asked.

“Hang on. So I went to the flume to come looking for you. But when I arrived here on Second Earth, I got an idea. I wondered if the guy who wanted to see you so bad back in 1937 was still around. I did a little snooping and sure enough, he was still alive and living in New York.”

“You’re kidding? How old is he?” Bobby asked.

“Must be in his nineties, near as I can tell,” answered Gunny. “I looked him up and introduced myself.”

“Didn’t he wonder why you hadn’t aged a single day since the last time he saw you?” asked Courtney.

“He thinks it was my granddad who worked at the hotel back then,” Gunny answered. “I told him Granddad never again saw the bellhop called Pendragon, but he never forgot. I said how he handed the package down to his son, and then to me, and I finally tracked down the grandson of that bellhop. That would be you, Bobby.”

“And he believed you?” Bobby asked.

“Why wouldn’t he? It made sense. A lot more sense than the truth,” Gunny added with a chuckle.

“So who is the guy?” Bobby asked.

“Ask him yourself,” Gunny said, and motioned toward the limo. “That’s his car.”

“He’s here now?” Bobby said in surprise.

“Go on,” Gunny directed. “Talk to him. Just remember, you’re not you. You’re your grandson.”

“Uh…yeah,” Bobby said, and walked tentatively toward the car.

A driver wearing a black suit jumped from the front seat, ran around back, and opened the rear door. He reached inside and helped his passenger get out. Bobby saw that the guy getting out of the back was indeed very old. He looked a hundred if he looked a day. He was wearing a cream-colored suit and a bright yellow tie. Whoever this guy was, between the limo and the nice clothes, he had some bucks. The driver gave him a cane to lean on. But once he was out of the car, he didn’t want any more help. This guy may have been old, but he still had some life in him.

Once he was firmly on the sidewalk, he looked over at Bobby. When their eyes met, the old man actually stood up straighter. Bobby could tell this was a proud man who didn’t care much for being trapped in an old body. Bobby didn’t recognize him, but then again, he didn’t expect to. Yet, as they looked into each other’s eyes, Bobby felt something strangely familiar.

“What’s your name, son?” the old man asked in a raspy, yet strong voice.

Bobby glanced to Gunny, who nodded encouragement. “Bobby Pendragon,” he answered.

“Just like your grandfather,” the old man said. “My name is Peter Nelson, though I don’t suppose that means anything to you.”

“You came a long way to see me, Mr. Nelson,” Bobby said with respect. “Do you have something to tell me about, uh, my grandfather?”

Nelson looked away for a moment. He was spinning the memory wheels to get back to 1937. “I’ve been very successful, young Pendragon,” he began. “With business, with family, and with life in general. But I didn’t start out that way. In my youth I did some things I wasn’t proud of. Things I’m too ashamed to speak about even now. But those were different times, and I was able to put it behind me. I have one person to thank for that…your grandfather.”

Bobby had no idea what this guy was talking about. He tried to remember something he might have done on First Earth to help somebody out, but came up empty.

“You see,” the old man continued, “your grandfather saved my life.”

Now Bobby was really confused.

“I was headed down a very dark path,” the man said. “Your grandfather gave me a second chance.”

“Excuse me,” Bobby interrupted. “My grandfather told me a lot of stories, but he never told me about saving anybody’s life.”

“I’m not surprised,” the man responded. “I think that’s the kind of person he was. But he saved my life, all right, sure as I’m standing here before you.”

“How?” Bobby asked. This was making him crazy.

Mr. Nelson thought for a second, then said, “I don’t know how much I should be telling you, but I guess it’s all water under the bridge now. Your grandfather savedtwolives that day. One was mine, the other was a very powerful man named Max Rose. You see, I tried to kill Max Rose, but your grandfather stopped me. Then Max Rose ordered your grandfather to shoot me, but he didn’t. He had my life in his hands and gave it right back to me. I ran off and never looked back. Coming that close to dying, well, it changed my life. I have your grandfather to thank.”

It all came flooding back to Bobby. He took a closer look at the old man, and now recognized the thin nose and sharp eyes. Could it be? Yes, it was Mr. Nervous Gangster. He was a million years older, but it was definitely him. This was the guy who attacked Spader and him in the subway and tracked them down to the hotel. As Bobby stood there, the memory of looking into this guy’s frightened eyes returned as clearly as if it had happened yesterday. He had held a gun on the gangster while Max Rose ordered him to shoot. He remembered the feel of the pistol and knowing he was close to taking a life. But Bobby dropped the gun and the gangster ran.