The Kennedy Life: Back to the Future

The Kennedy Life: Back to the Future Prologue

Prologue

"What if you could change history?"

Ever since November of 1963, that troubling question had been stuck in my head. My name is Caroline Kennedy by the way. I'm 18 years old, almost 19. I'm the daughter of former First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and the fallen 35th president, John Kennedy. My brother is John Kennedy Jr. We were raised by our Mother and Uncle Bobby till 1968, when Uncle Bobby was lolled by an assassin. Six months and six days later, Rory Kennedy was born. The 11th daughter to Ethel and Robert Kennedy, she never knew her father. Her father was slain in a hotel after trying to accept the Democratic nominee.

Now we could be called orphans, I guess. Without a father or father figure to guide us. For a few years, we'd been living in guilt and pain. I shuddered under the coldness of the night sky. I was only wearing a dress and I was staring at the Hyaniss Port sky. I'd never felt so lonely.

Rory came up and sat beside me. She was only 8 years old. I felt her eyes on the back of my neck. I tried not to look at her. She was like her daddy with the same grin and her mother's hair.

Rory was chewing on some lollipops. She didn't seem to see the anxious way I was staring at her.

"Want some?" She offered through the mumble and crackle of lollipops. I shook my head and just rolled my eyes. Typical Rory.

"No thanks," I said smoothly. Looking over the horizon, I saw the sun beginning to dip down into the shadows and the moon-a full moon-was rising. The moon cast an eeirly glow over the land. I sat with my shoulders slumped and my body shaking.

She stared at me. Her expression was fill of worry. Her pale eyes stared at me then shifted toward the beach.

I headed down the beach, tears running down my face. The question what if you could change history was still stuck in my head and tears were forming up in my eyes. I wiped them angrily and impatiently.

I moved my head to the side and stared down at the beach. A small tap on my shoulder made me look up. Max was looking at me, his expression unreadable. "Uncle Teddy wants us in the compound now."

"This late?" I stared hard at him. "It's 11 pm."

"Just come on." He was impatient. "He wants to show us something."

The water pooled under my feet. I kept my head up. "Max, you look really pale."

"It's nothing," he assured me. "Just come on. Rory's there along with John. Uncle Teddy discovered something in the basement."

"Cool," I titled my head a bit. "What is it?"

"It's a surprise," he said with a childish grin. "Come on. You'll like it."

Somehow convinced, I followed him to the compound.