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***
The skateboard wheels rustled outside, then a spare key turned in the keyhole and almost immediately clattered on the floor. Einie, who had been fidgeting impatiently for some time already, rushed to the door.
"Hey, hey, buddy! Yeah, I'm glad to see you, too! Good boy... Where's Doc?"
"I'm here," Dr. Emmett Brown peeked out from behind the disassembled vacuum cleaner. "Come in!
With one more ruffling to Einstein's fur, Marty cautiously approached, trying not to step on the laid out parts.
"I thought you weren't back yet."
"This baby needed repairs, and I had all the details at hand, so I saw no reason to postpone." Doc wiped his hands with a tissue, then tried to somehow smooth the wild hair. "But now, it seems to me, the break is well deserved. How's the school?"
Marty just snorted in response. Doc squinted, giving his young friend more attention. Despite the apparent cheerfulness, the blue eyes seemed a bit sad, and fresh scratches and a bruise on the cheekbone suggested certain problems.
"Care to share the details?" Doc finally pushed the vacuum cleaner aside and walked over to the armchair. Marty has already settled in the second one, pulling his knees up to his chest.
"I got into a fight with Needles again" he mumbled reluctantly.
Doc sighed. This confrontation seemed to have no end...
"What was the reason this time?" he asked.
Marty glared from under the bangs.
"He was saying all this...nasty stuff about you again...
Doc shook his head.
"I've been used to this for a long time..."
"Well, I'm not!" Marty took off, starting to walk around the room. "And it's gonna be like that every time he opens his filthy mouth... He doesn't dare talk about you like that... And he doesn't dare call me a chicken!"
That's it. That's the root of the problem.
"Marty," the scientist threw up his hands in frustration. "How many times have we already discussed the topic?! Some words are not a reason to rush into a fight! What difference does it make to you what Needles thinks if you don't give him a damn?" He gently turned the teen's face, examining the scratch. "Does it hurt?"
"No, not really", Marty took a deep breath and seemed to go limp, plopping back into the chair. Doc looked at him with an affectionate grin, then unable to resist ruffled the already tumbled hair.
"Are you hungry?" For some reason, this simple question made Marty flinch.
"No," he muttered sheepishly, but immediately took a deep breath and nodded. "Actually, yes, I am" . He paused, fiddling with the zipper of his jacket. "Why do I hear this question more often here than at home?" - he muttered wistfully. Then he shook his head. "Well, some burgers it is then?
Doc smiled, taking off his battered labcoat.
"Let's treat the sorrows with some good repast!"
***
The treatment, however, failed – the Burger King met them with closed doors and a frowning employee looming at the entrance with a cigarette in his teeth.
"The pipe has burst," he muttered angrily. "At best we'll be open by tomorrow." He glanced at Marty. "Your brother is still here, I can call him" .
"No need, thanks, we're already leaving! Tell him... Just tell him I said hi, okay?" Marty hurried out of the gate.
"What's the rush?"
"I don't want Dave to see this," he gingerly touched his cheek, hissing in pain.
"I'm gonna get an earful at home, don't want adding to that now... What do we do now?"
Doc ran his fingers through his hair, stopping in the middle of the road. Then his face cleared, he smiled with a twinkle in his eyes.
"I ve got an idea! But first we'll look at the pharmacy, we need to do something about this cheek of yours".
***
At home, after giving a generous amount of food to Einstein, Doc triumphantly placed a bag of flour and several eggs on the table.
"Look for the milk in the fridge, will ya?" he said, rummaging in the kitchen cupboard. "Isn't it sour? Great, bring it here. If we can't get some food on the side..." he took a battered striped apron out of the closet, looked at it thoughtfully, "then it remains to cook the food ourselves!"
"Um, Doc, do you really know how to cook?" Marty tried his best to hide his skepticism.
"Well, if you put your mind to it - it should work out just fine. And then, we have to feed your growing organism...
"As if your aging one doesn't need to be fed," Marty blurted out and immediately got a friendly towel slap.
"Watch your mouth, young man! Who are you calling an oldie? " Doc was pretending to frown. He looked for the ladle. "Defend yourself, sir!"
Frantically looking around, Marty grabbed the lid of a large saucepan.
"I'm ready!"
The battle did not last long and ended in a friendly draw. Both participants fell on chairs exhausted, choking with laughter. Einie, who was trying to participate by jumping and barking loudly, plopped down on the floor under the table, lapping up a puddle of milk spilled in the fight.
Doc looked around the kitchen, tied his apron, and raised his hands theatrically to the ceiling. "Let's start the process!"
Marty, biting his lip, could hardly keep from laughing.
"Okay, tell me what I need to do?"
***
About a half an hour later the pile of food on the table was noticeably diminished. Meanwhile there came an appetizing smell from the bowl, and the stove was signaling with all its might that it was warmed up - literally signalling. That was another improvement of kitchen appliances, Dr. E. Brown's Enterprises. Scared by the wail, Einie huddled under the table whining slightly.
"Doc, we've already realized that it's hot!" Marty pleaded. " Turn it off!"
"I can't," the scientist panted, trying to turn the handle. "It's stuck!.."
Finally, the heartrending wail stopped. Everyone in the room exhaled.
"Okay, we'll deal with this later," Doc waved his hand nonchalantly. "Get the batter, Marty!"
The first pancake, which looked more like a scrambled eggs, was readily consumed by Einstein – obviously, despite the shape, the taste was a success. The next ones looked much more decent – armed with a thin spatula, Marty turned them over with the air of a real cook. By the time the batter finally ended, it was dark outside the window, and both cooks were feeling completely exhausted. But the pile of pancakes on the table pleased the eye with an almost perfect shape and smooth golden-brownish colour. Full and satisfied, Einie stretched out on the sofa.
"Well, it seems that's everything," Doc smiled.
"Wow", Marty looked incredulously at the full plate. "Have we really made all this ourselves?"
Doc chuckled. "We certainly did! All right, now let's get eating!"
***
A dozen pancakes and a couple of cups of tea later a contented Marty leaned back in his chair.
"It turned out great," he smiled.
"Indeed!" Doc confirmed, guessing the boy was referring not only to the result of their cooking.
Marty patted Einie's ear, the dog leaning against him.
"Look," he started a bit unsure. "Can I spend the night? It's closer to school, and all that ...
"No problem", Doc shrugged his shoulders. "Just give a call home. No need to keep your parents worried" .
The teen snorted in disbelief, but nevertheless went to grab the phone. The conversation however was short.
" She's drunk again." Marty explained in response to a silent question from his friend. "And she doesn't care where I am... "
He looked up desperately. "Doc, will this ever end?.."
The scientist gently pulled him into a hug, and Marty stilled, burying his face in his chest, sniffling suspiciously.
"I can't answer this," Doc stroked his hair. "But I'll try to think of something, I promise."
Marty nodded silently. Doc clapped him on the shoulder.
"Everything will be fine, Marty!" He grinned slyly. "And now, if you're a good boy and get to bed quickly, then so be it, I'll tell you a story for the night".
"Hey, Doc, I'm not five years old," Marty protested, but there was already a spark of curiosity in his eyes. "What story?"
"You'll find out," the scientist grinned. "Go brush your teeth!"
When the boy disappeared into the bathroom, Doc turned the phone thoughtfully in his hands, but put it down, shaking his head. Instead, he looked at the pile of pancakes on the stove and carefully covered them with a plate. There will be something for Marty to eat before school...