Prisoner in Time (Time travel) (44 page)

David stood over the top of the two and smiled.

“I can’t leave you two alone for a second, can I?” he bemoaned. He laughed a moment, then continued, “Doc? Meet Geoff Robbins. Geoff? Meet Doctor Jebediah Morgan.”

“Oh my God,” Geoff responded simply.

“Who in blazes is Geoff Robbins?” Doc responded, still holding his grip.

David squatted down low, stared at the two for a moment, then spoke:

“Doc, it’s ok. You can let go now. Geoff’s with me,” he said.

Slowly, the old man released his grip, letting Geo
ff move away. The two stood and eyed each other with a strange stare. As a smile began to spread across Geoff’s face, Doc turned to David.

“Would it be too much to ask for an explanation?” he said in disgusted tone.

“It would be my pleasure. But maybe we should move to a place less conspicuous and more private… such as my tent?” David asked.

“Agreed,” Doc responded simply.

Before they could take another step, David made formal introductions.

“As I was saying before… Geoff, this is Doc Morgan. Doc, this is Geoff Robbins. Now why don’t you two kiss and make up, ok?” he said, jokingly.

Doc extended his hand. Instantly, Geoff grabbed it and shook.

“I’m very pleased to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you,” Geoff said, still shaking Doc’s hand.

“I’m sorry Lad, but it seems you have me at a disadvantage. I know nothing of you… but I have a suspicion I’m about to find out,” he said, flashing David a knowing stare.

-----*-----*-----*-----

Inside David’s tent, the three discussed the details of David’s and Geoff’s time travel. With Geoff seated on the bed and Doc seated in the wooden chair, David began to speak.

“First of all, to start, I just want to say thank you for saving my life.”

“I wasn’t aware I saved it,” Doc responded, his expression now confused.

“The story Gen. Sherman reported was actually true. After I left you, back at Chattanooga, I almost made it to the time portal when I was stopped by two Rebel soldiers. We had a struggle and I was able to overpower them. Unfortunately, it was only for a moment. As I was running for the time portal, one of them shot me in the back as I was stepping through it.”

“I’ll be darned,” Doc responded in surprise. “So the rumors were true after all.”

“Absolutely,” David nodded.

“Rumors have been surfacing about you vanishing into thin air ever since you left. Because we had planned this from the start, naturally I was thrilled to hear you had made it back to the future. You can only imagine my horror when someone had reported you wounded. I’ll tell you truthfully Lad, at that moment, I felt I had lost a son.”

“I’m so sorry you had to go through that Doc, but I think it was that sorrow that drove you to take action to save my life.”

“What action did I take? Or should I rephrase that: what action
will
I take?” he said, with great curiosity.

“Well, after I entered the time portal with my wound, a team of nurses and surgeons treated me and saved my life. The man responsible for orchestrating the surgery was none other than Dr. Phineas Morgan… your great great grandson,” David said with a smile.

“My what?” Doc exclaimed, now standing.

“You heard me right. Your great great grandson. According Dr. Phineas Morgan, he told me you learned about my wound shortly after the war ended and prepared your children and their future children to save me. It was a great plan, because it obviously worked like a charm.”

“I’m nearly speechless,” Doc replied.

David’s face turned uneasy and his eyes filled with worry.

“David, what’s wrong?” he asked.

“Doc, this really poses a problem. The only way I’ll survive is
if
you carry out your plan. I fear that now that you see me alive and in front of you, you might not carry it out with the same intensity as you did the first time, which might cause your plan to fail.”

Doc stood up from his chair and walked to David. He placed his hand on his shoulder and said, “On the contrary, Lad. Hearing your words has left little doubt in my mind of what I must do. You can count on me. I
will
save your life.”

Seeing the intensity in Doc’s eyes left little doubt in his mind of his friend’s word. He breathed a sigh of relief and continued.

“Now, you’re probably wondering what I’m doing with junior over here,” David said, pointing to Geoff in jest.

“The thought did cross my mind,” Doc responded sarcastically.

“Hey man, who’re you calling junior? I fought in battles, remember? I’m a man,” Geoff said, sternly.

Doc looked toward Geoff, then back to David and laughed. “The lad reminds me of my boys.”

David smirked, then responded, “Relax Geoff, I’m just teasing. After everything we’ve been through, I think you’ve earned the right to be called a man.”

Geoff beamed as David continued.

“Anyway Doc, why don’t you take a seat? This part of the story might take a while…”

For the next half hour, David elaborated on the details of Bobby’s surgery, their time travel and the battles they fought in together. Doc listened intently, surprised, enthralled and thoroughly entertained. At times, when David missed a detail, Geoff jumped in to fill the areas in question. As the old doctor listened, his expression turned from amused to worry.

“Lad, I’m very sorry for your loss. Losing a family member is the worst pain a person can experience,” he said to Geoff. “but like David, I too feel this endeavor of yours is fraught with peril. I beg of you to reconsider. I don’t see this ending well… for anyone,” Doc pleaded.

Geoff stiffened as he sat on the bed. He wasn’t prepared to hear the old doctor’s words. He considered them only for a moment, then remembered Bobby’s smiling face, the same image he recalled time and again. He stood and faced the two men.

“I appreciate the kind words, but going back without my brother isn’t worth going back at all. I made up my mind weeks ago. I’m going to save Bobby or die trying. That’s all there is to it,” he said resolutely.

Doc stared at Geoff; his mind processed the teen’s statement. Realizing there was nothing he could do to change his mind at that moment, he nodded simply in acquiescence.

Once again, he leaned toward David and said, “Yup, just like my lads.”

-----*-----*-----*-----

May 11, 1864
 

Even before the sun’s rays began to set, the two followed Jeb Morgan off to the south to their new assignment with Gen. George Thomas and his Army of the Cumberland. Riding along on their newly requisitioned horses, the three made good time through the valley. As nighttime fell, they stopped along the banks of a stream and made camp.

With their dinner finished, the three sat around the edge of the fire for warmth and comfort. Excited by their reunion, their time by the fire was anything but quiet.

“I’m just amazed that you were able to get Gen. Sherman to allow you to take Geoffrey with us. It’s very unusual that the army allowed a talent such as a sharp shooter to go unutilized. What did you say to him to convince him to release the lad?” Doc asked.

Geoff stared at the old doctor for a moment, unsure of how to feel about hearing his full name used in general conversation.

David saw the look on Geoff face and responded. “Well Doc,
Geoffrey
over here,” he said, pointing. “
was
my personal assistant before the war. I promised the general that I could save far more lives with him helping me, than he could take while fighting for him.”

“Huh… and he bought that?” Doc asked.

“Hook, line and sinker,” David responded.

“I’m unfamiliar with that term. I’m assuming that means yes?”

“Duh… that saying is older that dirt,” Geoff teased.

“I hardly doubt that Geoffrey. Dirt is the oldest thing on Earth,” Doc responded logically.

“Geoff, give Doc a break, huh? The term we’re using is relatively new, as are lead sinkers for fishing. They won’t be invented until the next century.”

“Oh… sorry,” Geoff replied simply, feeling a bit embarrassed about his verbal attack.

“That’s quite all right Geoffrey. Often times, youngsters such as yourself speak far sooner than their minds are ready for. As you get older, you’ll find the opposite is true.”

Geoff nodded, not in understanding, but simply to be polite.

“Speaking of youngsters, how are the lads and lasses?” David asked Doc.

“I recently received a letter from the missus. She’s doing just fine and the children are all getting along well in their studies. After you and I talked earlier, I’ll have to
insist
that they enter the field of medicine.”

“The last time we spoke, six months ago, I thought they all were headed in that direction anyway… following along in their father’s footsteps, so to speak?” David asked.

“By and large, that’s an accurate statement David, except for the eldest. He’s shown aptitude in mathematics and expressed a desire for accounting of some kind. I suspect I might persuade him to refocus on medicine in short order though,” Doc said with a cryptic wink.

David laughed and then said in a more serious tone, “Jeez Doc, I feel a little guilty. I’d hate to be responsible for pushing your son into something he doesn’t want to do in the first place.”

“Lad, I believe the boy’s intentions are not genuine.”

“I don’t understand,” David said, his expression turned puzzled.

“To be quite blunt, I believe he has his eye on a young lass in town. If he pursues medicine, he’d have to leave for school for two years… and might miss his opportunity,” Doc said, with a wily grin.

“Hmm, I see. Accounting would keep him close, I’m guessing?” David replied, grinning.

“An accurate assessment, Lad… not exactly the correct reasons for making such a choice, I’m afraid.”

“Eh, kids... they never change. They’re always doing stupid stuff like that,” Geoff cut in.

David glanced to Doc and smiled.

“What?” Geoff complained feebly. He thought for a moment, then realized the irony of his statement. “Oh, the whole time travel thing. You guys think I’m one of those stupid kids because I went back in time to save my brother.”

“Absolutely NOT! Nothing could be farther from the truth, Geoff,” David replied emphatically. “You’re a teenager so you might make some rash and impetuous decisions right now. What teen doesn’t? It’s part of being young. But what I’ve seen of you over the last two months has been nothing short of impressive. You think clearly under pressure and your decisions are mostly logical and correct.”

Geoff sat quietly and listened.

“Geoffrey, based on what David has told me about you, I would concur: you’re a very intelligent young lad. But that doesn’t change the fact that we are deeply worried for your safety,” Doc added.

“Well, you don’t have to worry about me. I know what I’m doing,” he replied, confidently.

“Even knowing what you’re doing doesn’t change the seriousness of this endeavor, or our concerns for your wellbeing,” David responded.