The Time Travelers' Club: Chapter 44 -- Yeah, right!

Wednesday morning, after being sick only two days, Sam's life returned to normal.  He was back in school.

Sam and Emily sat in the nurse's office in the school administration area. Ms. Harvey signed a note and handed it to Sam.  All three got up.

"He looks well enough to me," said Ms. Harvey, the school nurse.  "I'll give him the good-to-go.  Hope this exam isn't an inconvenience.  If a student's been off sick, the principle likes to make sure they're well enough to come back. Keeps other kids from getting sick."

Emily gave Sam a hug and kiss. "See you tonight, honey."  Emily went to work.  Sam headed to his first class -- grammar with Mr. Laghari.  His last class of the day -- history -- was also with Mr. Laghari.

"Welcome back," said Mr. Laghari as Sam handed him the nurse's note.  Everyone looked up at him.  "I hear you had the flu really bad.  I have moved your history report to last on Thursday."

"Yes, sir," said Sam. "Thank you for letting me do my report last."

Sam walked to his seat, right behind Bon.  At some point, she would ask about the dare.  Sam was glad to have one friend in the class.  Everyone else left him alone.  They had their cliques and he had his with its only member - himself.

The day dragged on.  His mind was elsewhere, still wandering the back streets of London and his new involvement with The Time Savers Club, exploding orbs, and this Doctor Herkeimer.

After school, Sam got the chance to talk with Bon on their way to the library.

"Did you keep the dare?" asked Bon. "What happened?"

"Yes, I did," replied Sam. "She taught me how to do a time travel incantation and we went back to London in 1888.  I saw the real Jack the Ripper.  I know the true identity of Jack the Ripper."

Bon stared blankly at him at first, then started to laugh hysterically. "Please! You did not. That flu must have made you real sick. No, seriously what happened?  Did you guys sit in a closet and look at a bunch of old books full of pictures?"

Sam laughed along with her.  Mrs. Steers was right.  No one would ever believe him. In order to escape ridicule and any further questions, Sam lied to her.

"Yeah, that's what really happened." And that was that.

Bon talked about school and how Carrie Laketon in the back of the room made faces at her during her presentation on Queen Victoria. Bon headed on home while Sam went in the library to wait on his Mom.  

That evening was quiet.

Thursday morning arrived.  The alarm clock went off at exactly 7:00 a.m.  It was cold and windy outside.  Sam could feel a slight draft coming from some unseen crack.  Sam got out of bed and went through his usual routine until it was time to leave.

"Are you ready for your presentation?" said Emily. "And how about your math test?   Feeling confident?"

"I guess.  I think I'll do fine.   I did extra work on math to get ready for it.  I want to try to get an A."

Emily looked at him.  "Good for you."

The rest of the way, they walked in silence.

At school, during the last class, Sam got up in front of his classmates to give his presentation.  For some unknown reason, he was very confident when it came to public speaking. The uncaring faces didn't bother him.  Bon smiled and waved as if trying to give him an extra hurrah. Sam took a deep breath and began to read his presentation notes.

"Jack the Ripper was London's most notorious serial killer.  He mutilated six women."   Sam skated around the descriptions of their deaths although he very much wanted to show photographs of the victims.  From there, he went into more details about the unusual sights, odd sounds, and awful smells he had experienced during his trip without letting on that he had actually been there. He talked about the array of suspects, the exhaustive police search, and the scant amount of real evidence that would lead to the killer's identity.

With one final deep breathe, Sam wrapped up.  "In conclusion, the police never discovered the real Jack the Ripper.  They had several suspects, including a member of the Queen's family."

He stopped and thought to himself as he scanned the bored faces of his classmates.

Ha!  If only you all knew what I know. Sam had located an old photograph of the real killer on-line, because that is where he saw the face of the real Ripper first.  The library books weren't as photograph-filled as some of the websites he had read.

Sam wrapped up his presentation with a spoken "The End."

"Good job, Sam.  You gave a very good report."  Mr. Laghari sent Sam to his seat. "Thank you all for fantastic presentations.  We are now leaving Great Britain.  Next week, we will start a new topic. We will be exploring Ancient Egypt."

With that, the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day and the week.  Tomorrow was Friday, but it was Parent-Teacher conferences, which meant no school.  Sam was fine with that.  His mind wandered and he wasn't paying that much attention in class. Mr. Laghari stopped Sam as he meandered towards the door.

"Sam, I hope you are feeling better.  You seem like you are a hundred miles away."

Sam stood moved.  "I guess I'm still tired from being sick.  Maybe next week, I'll be back to normal."

Mr. Laghari nodded.  "Sure maybe this three-day weekend will be good for you."

Sam nodded and left.

Outside, Sam strolled slowly home, not even waiting for Bon.  He was lost in his thoughts.

Never normal again.  Have I ever been normal?  I time-traveled.  I went back to London and saw things that nobody else has seen...  Or even care about... He chuckled to himself, thinking about his classmates.  None of whom he liked.  Stupid jerks.  Losers.  They'd call me a loser.

Without hesitation, Sam stopped and shouted out loud.  "Losers!" He walked on and returned back to his thoughts.

Dad was right.  I need to move on.  I can hardly wait to go again.  Maybe Mrs. Steers will teach me soon.  And I could go alone and get away from this place.

Sam picked up his pace.  Mrs. Steers had opened a whole new door of endless destinations.   Even more, he felt restless and his thoughts raced.

I could leave this time and never come back. I could just travel from one time to another. Until I get lost in time.  Never come back.

Sam shook his head, chasing away the thoughts.

No. Mom needs me.  But if I'm gone only a few minutes from here...  and I could spend days... no weeks... or even better months away... I'm ready for new adventures.  Since Ancient Egypt is next, maybe a trip to the building of the pyramids would be good.

As usual, Sam had perked himself up and snapped out of his mood.