The Time Traveler

By Bob Bienvenu

This is the second book I have authored under the inspiration of the Lord. My first book, From Light to Darkness to Glory, is my biography. My current book, The Time Traveler: Gerards Odyssey, will be available soon. The second book in the trilogy is entitled Time Tripping and Other Planets, and the Anthology of the Time Traveler will be coming out late 2016. With Gods help, I shall succeed. My hope is to create a trilogy stemming from the Time Traveler for readers young and old who believe in time travel and how it could positively affect our way of life in the future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514474600

Bob Bienvenu

Bob Bienvenu has dedicated his life to helping the mentally challenged in his community. He hosts an insightful weekly television show that focuses on mental health and how to conquer those demons. He lives in Lafayette, Louisiana, and is the author of From Light to Darkness, his biography and the recently released, a sci-fi entitled The Time Traveler: Gerard’s Odyssey. He is a competitive powerlifting champion that strengthens his body while his newfound faith and dependence on Jesus Christ changed his life.

Book preview

Copyright © 2016 by Bob Bienvenu.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Uniquely Mine Editing Services provided by Linda A.Meaux

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

I wrote my book The Time Traveler, as a science-fiction novel, which although it is a fantasy, I have used some real history in the book. I have taken some liberties with certain facts, as this is a work of fiction.

I ask you the reader to be lenient, to remember that this book is a work of fiction and fantasy, so please bear with me.

Sincerely yours,

Robert G. Bienvenu, Jr.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 03/24/2016

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

737862

CONTENTS

Chapter 1   In the Beginning

Chapter 2   The Time Machine makes an entrance

Chapter 3   Hitler’s Germany and White Sands New Mexico

Chapter 4   Susan’s discovery of the Time Machine

Chapter 5   Meeting with Leonardo Da Vinci

Chapter 6   The Aliens and the Intergalactic radio

Chapter 7   Jessie Owens

Chapter 8   New Orleans and Dad

Chapter 9   Queen Elizabeth 1559

Chapter 10   Slicks and New Orleans

Chapter 11   Hello to Atlantis

Chapter 12   The Whales

Chapter 13   White Sands and the Comet

Chapter 14   Life talks between Susan and Gerard

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

To my mother Henrietta Bourque Bienvenu, that taught me about love, courage and perseverance. To Richard Phelps, a truer friend than any man could ask for that provided technical advice on the book. Richard you are a Godsend. In addition, for Nellie Harrington’s daily inspirations and encouragement, you are a very special woman who is not only beautiful outside but also beautiful in spirit, thank you. In addition, to Joan Simon, my favorite first cousin, and precious friend who believed in my abilities. Also special thanks to Sudie Landry, and Jackie Ballew who have proven their true friendship being with me through thick and thin always, for that I thank you both. Lastly, my love goes out to Richard Phelps, Nellie Harrington, Joan Simon, Sudie Landry and Miss Jackie Bellow for seeing this project through, I will always be there for you all. Thanks also to my hard working editor, Linda Meaux, for her professionalism and patience in talking me through the characterization and narrative process. Moreover, most importantly, I want to give all the glory to God who gave me the ability to write. Philippians 4:13 states, I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. I know that I am only able to conquer the impossible with the help of God alone.

To those who are reading my books twenty-five years ago I had a twenty-year habit of smoking four packs of cigarettes a day and drinking a case of diet sodas a day. I was washing dishes for a living, half out of my mind with schizophrenia. I was one of many that were drafted into the army in 1970 during the Vietnam War and I had a nervous breakdown. I was put into the hospital and discharged with a medical discharge with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. It was then while I was washing dishes in a very low time in my life that a friend Mike Fuselier led me to the LORD and since then Jesus Christ has become the most important relationship in my life and because of that, I incorporate my spiritual beliefs into all my books. I think after three years of being a writer I have found my calling. I will continue to write for the rest of my life as GOD has given me a gift I feel I must follow. I will continue to write Science Fiction Stories as I go along in this life while always incorporating my spirituality and my belief in God in my books.

FOREWORD

This is the second book I have authored under the inspiration of the Lord. My first book, From Light to Darkness to Glory is my biography; my current book Time Traveler-Gerard’s Odyssey. The second book in the trilogy is entitled Time Tripping and other Planets and the Anthology of the Time Traveler will be coming out late 2016 with God’s help, I shall succeed. My hope is to create a trilogy stemming from the Time Traveler for readers young and old who believe in time travel and how it could positively affect our way of life in the future.

Bob Bienvenu has also written a detailed non-fiction book "Mental Illness: God, and Healing.

The Time Traveler is about the life of Gerard Bourque who through the untimely death of his dad, Physicist Robert Bourque. Gerard acquires his dads TIME MACHINE that will take him through wormholes to meet the most interesting places on earth from the 16th century where he encounters Leonardo da Vinci and Queen Elizabeth of England. To meeting George Washington and the great Jessie Owens, all on a quest to save the earth from total destruction in 2015. This book is a compelling saga of Gerard and his girlfriend Susan deMahy’s travel and meetings with ALIEN friends and visits to the Mythological continent of Atlantis. Where all through their travels they encounter many adventures like riding whales and dinosaurs while also coming back to their time in the late 1960s where the SOCIAL ROCK REVOLUTION of rock music and dress and a make love not war is the slogan of the counter culture that Gerard and Susan are part of in Layville Louisiana. This book contains LOVE ADVENTURE, INTRIGUE, COMEDY, DANGER, HISTORY ROMANCE and the belief of a higher POWER THAT IS WATCHING AND GUIDING OUR STEPS. This is the first of a trilogy of three novels of the TIME TRAVELERS, Gerard Bourques life and his QUEST together with his ALIEN friends to PROTECT the GALAXY and the UNIVERSE and through God’s help make the UNIVERSE A SAFE AND LOVING PLACE TO LIVE IN.

LISTING OF CHARACTERS

Robert Bourque a PhD at University of Martin.

Gerard Bourque is Robert’s son and future time traveler.

Susan de Mahy is Gerard Bourques girlfriend

Mr. Freddy the owner of the Rexall Drugstore in Layville.

Leonardo da Vinci a famous Renaissance artist

George Washington, General and future President

Grog and Das, Alien leaders from planet Quatrain

Klingars the warlike enemies of the Quatrains’

Elizabeth becomes Queen of England

King Gordon is the ruler of Atlantis and Regent of Emerald.

Queen Mary Ann wife to King Gordon

The Comet, a threat to planet Earth

CHAPTER 1

chpt%201.psd

In the Beginning

Weena, Weena where are you? The desperate Time Traveler calls out as fire rages all around him. After losing Weena and seeing the hopeless plight of the Eloi and their masters the Gargoyle Morlocks, representatives of the Society of the Cattle Ranchers, the Time Traveler finds his time machine. He takes a few jumps into space, The Time Traveler finally coming to the point where the Sun grew larger, redder and dimmer as the world he has known and traveled swiftly fades away.

Eventually he returns to Victorian era England, only to leave and never return. WOW, what a movie! Gerard tells his friend Richard. Our professors at school talked a lot about time travel and my Dad studied it a lot when he was alive. Yeah, your Dad was a pretty cool dude, Richard replied.

So it’s 1967, and here I am at nineteen living in the small southern college town of Layville, Louisiana It is best, described as an in-between city. It is not a small town like some in Middle America dotting most of the nation. It still had its small town warmth,

Hospitality and morals, yet it was not stuck in Ancient times where the olden ways were still the norm. The analogy I am trying to make is Layville is a "modern small city were citizens live by family morals and integrity, making it the backbone of American Society.

Layville also was not on par with the big cities like New York or Chicago. Therefore, Layville is a between city, not too big and not too small, a perfect place to grow up in, It still had its small town warmth, hospitality and morals, yet it was not rutted in the old ways although they were still the norm. The analogy I am trying to make is that Layville is a modern small city.

Take coffee for instance, to make a pot of coffee many people in the modern age use coffee machines, unlike small town folks. In some small towns most people make their coffee in little white porcelain coffee pots. First, they put coffee grains in a cloth filter at the top of the pot, boiling hot water is poured over the grains, let it brew then savor the wonderful brew.

Do not get me wrong; Layville, like many small towns in America possessed an aura of innocence and enchantment. I grew up in Layville in a typical family, Mom, Dad, my older brother David and my younger sister Maggie. My dad is a Physics professor at University of Martin, (commonly referred to as U.M.) He was a good man, easy going, but so busy with his work l did not get to spend much quality time with him leaving me with no nurturing, except from my Mother.

However, in the ’50s and ’60s the norm in raising families was fathers worked provided for the home, shelter, food, provisions, and material goods. While mothers did the nurturing of the kids and that is how society worked back in those days, and it is how I grew up. However, I would soon learn how special and extraordinary my Dad was, and how in awe of him I would become.

I never had much contact with Dad while growing up; he was always busy working. Therefore, I felt very insecure growing up. I lacked that male bonding which left me with a meek and shy spirit. Unlike my brother and sister who seemed to have no problem in dealing with the outside world. David, my older brother joined the Marines, and was stationed overseas and my sister Maggie was still a freshman at a Mount Carmel Catholic school in Layville. We all were doing well with our lives, had lot of friends, and I could tell that my father was very proud of us.

Dad was an over achiever, a physics professor having earned a Doctorate degree from Louisiana State University. LSU was the biggest State University in Louisiana at that time. He graduated in 1940 earning a full PhD in Physics and married my mom Henrietta, the next year having dated all through graduate school. They were very much in love and my dad soon became part of the LSU faculty, teaching the Beginners’ Physics course to freshman and sophomore students.

My parents lived in a quiet bungalow near the mighty Mississippi River and mom worked part time job doing laundry for the families and elderly in Layville. They were a happy young pair starting life out on a good note. As kids, we would listen for hours as Mom told us stories about life in Layville. How she would sit in a comfortable chair on a hill near the river, reflecting how the flowing water brought peace to her soul. She looked at the cargo ships as they sailed down the mighty river, imaging being part of the crew. What hardships, perils and joys would they encounter in ports around the world?

Henrietta was highly intelligent with a very vivid imagination. She graduated from college at LSU and was aware of how the world operated. Her imagination took her to faraway places like the Sudan and magnificent European cities. She dreamed of walking on the Great Wall of China meditating on the years of sweat and tears it took to build this amazing creation. At other times she gazed upon the colossal Egyptian pyramids and fabulous artifacts and silver and gold crowns, maybe worn by the boy King Tutankhamen. Another port stop to visit the Louvre, WOW! getting a firsthand look at the 19th century greatest painters and artist’s works from Venus de Milo to da Vinci’s Mona Lisa to the Royal Crown Jewels.

Gerard spent many wonderful times with his mom listening to her talk about the dreams she had for the family. He loved his mom dearly. She had a love of adventure, wonderment of life and its amazing treasures and discoveries just waiting for an industrious person with the courage and curiosity to find it. He developed those same traits that from his mom. Ones of love and adventure that would serve him well throughout his years. However, as valuable as those assets were, the traits he inherited from his Dad were equally importance.

Robert left his teaching job at LSU in 1942 to join the United States Army when World War 11 broke out as they were mobilizing troops on a grand scale. Many university professors, eminent scientists and physicists like Gerard’s Dad found their selves incorporated into the new war related challenges. These men all left their university projects and turned their gifts and knowledge into creating better weaponry and technology for the now American War Machine.

This would affect the whole world in its present form and for many generations to come. The paradigm of these efforts was the Manhattan Project, which put thousands of physicists and scientists together to design, manufacture and build the first Atomic Bomb.

Robert Bourque was part of this vast arsenal of some of the smartest people in the world that joined to defeat the mad dictator that was trying to enslave the world through tyranny and murder. In future, these men are forever more the greatest American generation. Little did Gerard Bourque know that from this war, his Dads’ work and research would eventually create a Time Machine that would forever rock Gerard’s world and change the history of the world.

Many new inventions were the direct result of the war. For example at MIT, scientists were instrumental in developing Radar in their laboratories. In addition, numerous labs across the country focused on everything from electronics, medical research, to psychological testing. It was from these avenues that Robert Bourque would amass a web of information, which would serve him and his own private passions and ideas after the War.

In fact, it was after the War that he learned the BASICS of his theories. A Race began between America and the Soviet Union to get a hold of as many of the Germany scientists and physicists that they could. Here Robert Bourque met the likes of Arthur Rudolph who would become one of the chief scientists responsible for the United States space program. During the War Rudolph was involved with the development of rockets and guided missiles. More so, with the development of rockets that bombed England during the War.

Gerard’s father would meet many German scientists and Physicists who become allies of America and would significantly help America in the development of rockets in the space race that eventually send men to the moon. It was the perfect meeting place for some of the greatest minds in history with the likes of Herbert A. Wagner and Walter Durenberger. Of course, Robert Bourque would meet Werner von Braun the lead rocket scientist of all the German scientists.

It was through his interactions with these brilliant men along with his talks about time travel with the renowned Albert Einstein that Dr. Robert Bourque would formulate his theories on time travel and eventually make it his life’s work. He talked to Albert Einstein many times about his theories on the possibilities of travelling backwards or going forward in time. It would become Dr. Bourque’s focus in life so much so that he would eventually leave the Paper Clip Program and resign to teach at the University of Martin and thus have time to work on his real obsession and love, which was the exploration of time?

Robert unknowingly to his family would actually fulfill his life’s ambition and build a real time machine. However, life has a way of changing lives for one reason or another, Dr. Robert would never get the chance to put his theories about time travel into practice.

One winter night Dr. Robert left his secret laboratory on Jefferson Street after putting the finishing touches to the wondrous machine he created, He decided to stop in for a quick drink at Ray’ bar, a favorite of the university students, before heading home.

It was cold but not enough that one had to wear a heavy coat. A status quo sweater would suffice. Anyway, Dr. Robert found himself driving on a dark wintery night in September without a moon. Only thousands and thousands of stars twinkled in the night sky like thousands and thousands of flickering candles. It was a lovely evening with not a cloud in the sky. Dr. Robert left the lights of the city behind as he passed the city limits. He was feeling warm and relaxed from the few drinks under his belt when he started to daydream. Oh! What many possibilities were in store for the world if his machine would just work?

He thought of all the talks he had with the greatest scientist mathematicians and physicists on the planet, wrestled with the notion of whether time-travel was possible. He recalled talks with Von Braun and Albert Einstein on using the speed of light for time travel, motion of gravity and many other ideas until the idea of using the deep space theory or WORM HOLES that could propel a person from one dimension to the next thus going from one time zone into the next time zone.

Dr. Robert Bourque sat in his car wondering what the benefits his machine would have on humankind. He knew that it would reveal secrets the world had wondered about for years and centuries before. He chuckled when picturing the face of his wife Henrietta, and his kids and how they would look at him when his machine would become public knowledge. Oh, how proud they would be of him now wealthy and famous. However, being a levelheaded man and accomplished scientist and his thoughts of becoming famous his scientific mind began to rethink all the pros and cons of his theory. What if the whole world knew about my machine, would not our enemies try to capture it?

Suddenly he is in a winding curve in the road and slows down a bit. However, excitement about the future mixed with the liquor was giving him a lead foot as his thoughts turned toward family. My children as well as Henrietta and I might be in great danger if news about my machine became knowledge. I know! I will keep it a secret and will do the best I can to make it a better world for humanity, go back to the war and help the war end sooner thus save thousand and maybe millions of lives. On the other hand, maybe I will go back farther, stop Hitler from gaining power over the German people, and stop the war that way. Dr. Robert rounded another curve at a fast speed, the liquor was starting to take effect, and he continued driving over the speed limit. Inching around curves fast, his reflexes slowed down as he thought less on his driving.

What about GOD, would GOD want me to tamper with the world and change things? Pondering these questions about life and history Robert decided to keep his Time Machine a secret for now, even from his family. He had already set the time machine for 1919 when Adolph Hitler would come onto the scene. Maybe he could actually help with stopping the war from coming to fruition. Tomorrow is Saturday and school will be out. I can take my first trip back in time to Germany be an observer then decide what I can do. Reality hits, Of course, I still have to grade test papers so I had better postpone my time trip for another day.

Wait a minute, he chuckled, I can do both when I come back from my trip, set the same time on my machine for the time I departed and still have plenty time to grade papers. Boy, I am smart, he reflected. Who would have thought that I would actually build an instrument and that it would bend time and take one back in history? Robert came around another curve at 60 miles an hour with tires screeching and rubbing on the curve of the road. It is a far trip down the ravine if I go over the edge. Alcohol always affects a person’s thinking and perception. Even the small amount Robert had consumed distracted his mind from the safety factor of his continued speeding.

What benefits it would bring to the world, how much change would take place, and what effect it would have on his family? I guess I could make us richer with my knowledge and give Henrietta and the kids a better life. Maybe I could erase war completely. I have been thinking a lot about the war and David being in the Marines must do their duty and serve.

Robert’s thoughts turned to Maggie a freshman at Mount Carmel school in Layville. She is a petite 5-foot tall blonde with alabaster skin, high cheekbones and exquisite green eyes exactly, like her mother Henrietta. Maggie is a raving beauty, I know she will not have any problems finding a boyfriend and eventually settling down and raising a family. At least, that is where I believe she is headed. Yes, all of our kids have a bright future to look forward to if I can change the world for better and accumulate more wealth for us than a professor’s salary. I think they will be on their way. Robert reflected, David and Maggie would turn out to be decent, productive citizens in any direction of life, they choose.

Relaxing in his seat Dr. Robert Bourque adjusts the seat belt that was a little tight around his waist. He loosens it to breathe better. I know I have taught the kids good morals and the right kind of values to emulate even though I have not been around much in their growing up because I was always working. I know Henrietta did her part in raising and taking care of and teaching the kids about love and GOD. Moreover, how important it was to respect everyone, love your fellow man as well as GOD the Creator of it all.

I wonder whether Gerard can handle success, what will it do for him? I know he listens to all that weird hippie music and dresses in bellbottoms and tie dyed shirts and may even be smoking marijuana as far as I know. I do know Gerard is a sensitive young man. He takes after his mom for having a good and compassionate heart. I also know he is the smartest of our three children and will do well in college when he sees fit to go. He is the kid I would like to see follow in my footsteps with my machine if something happened to me. He will have a bright future when the hippydom fad goes away if he can get in gear.

Suddenly out of nowhere, a deer appears on the road and before he can respond with corrective action Dr. Robert Bourque, distinguished professor from University of Martin, at Layville, Louisiana, makes a decision that will forever change the face of the world.

Upon seeing the deer in his headlights, he automatically turns the car to the left to avoid hitting the animal and tumbles 120' feet down a steep embankment. Robert is thrown out of the car, as the already loosened seat belt came undone, killing him on impact. That same Friday night back at home the clock radio dial is reading 12:00 p.m when Gerard awakens to the sound of his mother screaming and crying. Gerard got off work from Freddie’s Rexall Drugstore, and like most weekends got together with a few friends to smoke a joint and listen to Pink Floyd and the Beatles, sing about love, justice, and life’s challenges. They usually hung out at a friend’s pad, restaurants or at Ray’s Bar to talk about life, girls, the latest rock and roll hits coming out on the radio like dominos stacked together and falling down one after the other.

Gerard and his two best friends Johnny and Richard met up at Ray’s Bar. They talked late into the evening about the Communist problem, the Military, the drug culture, music and the new consciousness and awareness, awakening teens not only in America, but affecting future leaders from all walks of life worldwide. Kids were wearing bell-bottom jeans and paisley and tie-dyed shirts and growing their hair long. Some people had hair down to the middle of their backs emulating the superstar musicians of that day like Jim Morrison of The Doors. The Fifth Dimension sang The Age of Aquarius and Gerard Bourque fit right into that whole scene, the Beatles or the Moody Blues and many other rock and roll bands of that day.

Back then, people whisked themselves into the psychedelic scene dressing in the new garb that astounded and freaked- out their parents. Ladies were throwing away their bras and were wearing miniskirts and short-shorts. Some were even going around topless when Pop festivals came around. It was a new age the likes the world had never encountered and Gerard was in his nitch.

Gerard’s world would enter a new period, which would dramatically change his life and the WORLD’S from that wintery September night to a much darker and more serious awakening he had ever known.

When I got down the stairs, I saw my mom and Maggie kneeling near the phone just crying and hugging each other. I felt a raw sensation come up in the pit of my stomach as if I wanted to throw up because I knew someone had come to very bad harm, but I did not know whom. I ran quickly up to mom and she stood up when she saw me and put both hands on my shoulders as to push me away. Her grip was so tight I felt the pain and pressure as she squeezed, looking me in the eyes very seriously she said, There was an accident tonight; your father has been killed. Suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my chest as if I was having a heart attack. I bent over to catch my breath attempting to make sense of what she had said. I was white as a sheet when I stood up and asked my mom what had happened to my Dad. She explained what the Sheriffs’ officers told her about the accident, and then she started crying all over again. I hugged both her and Maggie as the waterworks flowed out from all of us.

The funeral came off very well, there were well, -wishers, professors and teachers from the college and other schools Dr. Robert had attended. I was amazed at how many people attended the funeral and just how many people my Dad had known. Some of the German scientists who had worked with my Dad at the Paper Clip program came to offer their condolences. They were all American citizens now and were working in Houston and the Cape with the Apollo Mission. I was able to talk to a few of them and could tell that they really liked and respected my Dad as both a scientist and a good human being.

One thing I noticed about the German Scientists they all mentioned Dad’s obsession with time travel. How he spent time with them repeatedly, squeezing out information from them as if they were sponges. I had never known Dad to be so interested in time travel but I did know he loved science fiction as much as I do. He also read many books on the subject from Jules Verne to H. G. Wells during his leisure times. I also had a love for science fiction reading much the same novels that my Dad read.

In fact, I was scientifically astute. I excelled at school in math, even took honors in trigonometry. I could catch on to the science studies than the other students. So much so that I took top honors in science and mathematics at the end of the school year. So even though I didn’t know much about my Dad, what I did know was he was a good honest man, loved my mom, and gave us a middle class life as best as he could. However as life has its ways of changing lives. My family and I were destined to travel a road none of us had ever imagined. Gerard was amazed how very nice the women in the community were in providing enough food and drinks for everyone that gathered after the funeral. He overheard conversation about his father from the German scientists. They all agreed how adamant he could be on the subject. He was so obsessed with the idea that he gave up a very lucrative job with the NASA space program to pursue to his dream of creating a machine that could bend time and space.

Gerard listened on and soon learned that his father was well respected and very much liked in the scientific community. They thought so well of him that they appointed him as Von Braun’s assistant. He was important in helping Dr. Von Braun formulate theories with his Paper project working alongside the American and German scientists. The scientists learned from one another as they combined their talents to conquer and deal with the cosmos. Dr. Robert Bourque played an integral part in the development of those space studies.

In the meanwhile, after a week of settling into their new lives Henrietta Bourque called her children into the living room for a conference. David’s leave was almost up and he would soon return to Vietnam and reconnect with his fellow soldiers and friends. Maggie had taken a few days off from Mount Carmel for the funeral services.

Gerard’s best friends, Richard and Johnny were a great help and comfort in his time of need. He was able to get back to work at the Rexall store shortly after the preliminaries of mourning were over. He sat back in his lounge chair with the rest of the kids looking to their mom who waited until they settled down to speak. Henrietta Bourque was an unassuming woman devoted to her family as well as her late husband and was very straightforward and direct when she spoke. There was no nonsense about her. Like her husband, Henrietta was a straight arrow not pretentious like most of her friends. She was a very devoted and loving matriarch of her family, though she knew how to have a good time and enjoyed a glass of wine every day to relax. This was not a time to celebrate.

Children, now that your father is gone, life will be a lot different for us from now on. Fortunately, I still have my job at school even though I am not setting the world on fire but my salary is adequate. Also with your father’s insurance money, we are financially stable. Maggie can continue at Mount Carmel. David is in the Marines and is on this own. Gerard you make enough at Mr. Freddie’s to have spending money for yourself.

Luckily, we had car insurance on both the Impala and my Galaxy that is still in good shape. Our next step is to use the insurance money and get a new or dependable second hand one so Gerard will not have to ride his bike eight miles to work anymore. Of course, you will have to help with the chores in the house Gerard and you bring Maggie to school just as your father would do every morning. Luckily, for us nothing is owed on the house thanks to your father’s insurance that paid off the mortgage, so we can keep on functioning.

However, there’s one item I wish to discuss with you kids that you never knew about. Your Dad kept an apartment downtown on Jefferson Street to do his scientific work, when he was not teaching at the college. Your father was a very private man; he never shared his work with me. He always said when his project was finished it would change history for the rest of the world. I would have been very proud of him and his genius abilities.

"Kids, I think your father was working on a Time Machine, as far as I could gather from hearing him talking in his sleep at night. I never asked him about it, nor did I pry into his work. Robert was the love of my life, and the way he talked about the three of you