**
Time to Fix Time
Remember your future when visiting the past.
–Harry Finkle
Jack, Lizzy and Robert rushed to the hourglass room before beginning to speak.
“It must have been Great Uncle Harry and Grandfather George when they were young!” Lizzy said. “But what I don’t understand is how they came to the future and remained young!”
“What do you mean, Lizzy?” Jack asked.
“Look at Robert! He’s not young. He’s 35-years-old. Just look at him,” Lizzy said, appraising her brother. “Take no offense, Robert.”
“I’m not old, Lizzy. I’m ten,” Robert pointed out.
“Exactly! And yet you appear to be 35. So why didn’t Uncle Harry and Grandfather George also look decades older?”
“You’ve got a good point, Lizzy,” Jack agreed.
“I don’t know why,” Robert said. “But I need to find out!”
“Don’t you think you’ve caused enough trouble, Robert?” Lizzy pointed a finger at his chest. “I don’t mean to be rude by saying this, but meddling around with such things could in fact cause more problems.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Robert said, hanging his head.
“When you return to Finkleton—the Finkleton you know, that is—you must tell the young versions of Jack and me everything. Then we’ll be able find out what’s going on together.” Lizzy smiled. “It’ll be a new adventure!”
“That sounds like a fine idea.” Robert beamed with joy. “I will, I promise.”
“It’s time to fix this clock,” Jack said, stepping over to the desk. “If those men are who we think they are, then Robert will be able to go back to where he belongs.”
“Yes, I agree,” Robert said. “It’s time to fix the clock.”
The hours passed as Jack, Robert and Lizzy worked together on the repair. It grew dark outside, and they all became tired. Lizzy dozed off in a chair with the book laying open on her lap.
Finally, Jack proclaimed, “It’s done!”
Lizzy woke from her nap. “What’s that?”
“The clock is fixed,” Jack said proudly.
“You’ve done it, Jack!” Robert said.
Jack and Robert hung the clock back on the wall above the desk. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing, Robert?” Jack asked.
“Yes, I do. I’ll fix everything back in my time. Father, Miss Caroline’s home, Mr. Lowsley, and you,” Robert said, placing a hand on Jack’s shoulder.
“Me? What do you have to fix with me?” Jack asked.
Robert laughed, then stepped next to the chair. “You’ll see, Jack. Trust me.”
Jack laughed too. “All right, Robert. I do trust you. Just be careful. And remember, I’ll always be here for you, no matter what happens.”
“I know, Jack,” Robert said, then wiped a stray tear from his eye.
“One more thing, Robert,” Jack said. “If for some reason you can’t change things, promise that you’ll come tell me and Lizzy about Mr. Lowsley’s questions and threats. We won’t let anything happen to you. There’s no need for you to be afraid.”
“I promise, Jack,” Robert said.
“I wonder if we’ll know if you fixed everything. When you get back, that is,” Lizzy said, worried.
“I don’t think you will. But don’t worry, I can do this. Trust me,” Robert said.
“I do, Robert,” Lizzy said, and hugged him. “Oh, and one more thing. I’m sorry I nagged you so much when we were children. I didn’t mean to be annoying.”
Robert laughed. “You weren’t that bad, Lizzy. I learned a lot from you and your books. Besides, I enjoyed driving you insane.”
Jack, Lizzy and Robert laughed together. Robert then stood on the chair directly in front of the clock. He turned to look at Jack and Lizzy once more.
Jack winked at Robert, and Lizzy smiled. Then they left the hourglass room, closing the door quietly behind them. I’m going to miss the older Jack and Lizzy, Robert thought. But I’ll see them again. I’ll grow up with them and grow older with them.
Robert looked at the clock hanging on the wall. Everything was quiet except for the clock going tick tock, tick tock.
Robert knew it was time to return to his time.