The other warehouses, dotted between the houses, were also alive with activity. Oliver read their signs as he passed, and noted how each one was constructing something for the war effort; everything from thermoplastic glass to pistols, boots to bullets. It was astonishing to see the whole neighborhood alive with people, buzzing with activity.

But Oliver had no idea what to do now. Where to turn. In trying to save Armando, he had accidentally gone back in time. And yes, Armando was alive in this era, as a fresh-faced young man, but that was hardly a solution to the problem! What was Oliver to do now? He couldnt just live his entire life in the 1940s.

Just as his racing mind began to panic, Oliver noticed someone partially concealed by shadows, leaning against the wall watching him. Oliver was startled by the sudden appearance of a stranger, and watched cautiously as the figure kicked off the wall and emerged into the daylight.

He was a tall, gangly boy, who looked older than Oliver. Thirteen, he guessed. There seemed to be a kindness about him. He had warm green eyes and a splatter of freckles on a crooked nose. Curly dark hair and dimples only added to his friendly demeanor.

You look lost, he said as he idled over to Oliver. Can I help you?

Oliver wanted to tell the boy that he was indeed lost, but in actual fact that wasnt the truth. He knew exactly where he was. The problem was when he was.

Tongue-tied, Oliver looked up into his face. The boy frowned. He seemed perplexed by Olivers hesitation.

How about we tell each other our names first? the boy said, kindly. He held out a hand to Oliver. Im Ralph Black.

Oliver looked at the hand, the extension of friendship. Though somewhat wary of this stranger whod appeared out of nowhere, Oliver had never needed a friend so much in his life as he did right now. And Ralph certainly seemed trustworthy.

After some deliberation, Oliver took the boys bony-fingered hand in his own and shook.

Im Oliver, he said. Oliver Blue.

Ralphs expression suddenly changed, from one of open friendliness to one of complete shock. His green eyes widened.

Youre Oliver? he exclaimed. Are you really? What a stroke of luck! I thought youd be older! Taller, too.

The news seemed to be very welcome to Ralph but Oliver had no idea why. Ralph started circling him, suddenly enthused, commenting aloud on how Oliver just wasnt what hed been expecting. Oliver wanted to know exactly how Ralph had been expecting anything in the first place! How could there be a boy in 1944 who was waiting to meet him?

I really thought I was going to have to be waiting much longer to find you, Ralph said.

He pulled Oliver in for a hug, then let go and held Oliver by the shoulders at arms length.