2: Five Years Later

Woody sighed as he made his way across Bonnie's bedroom to the large, antique dollhouse. He hadn't planned on doing this. In fact, the only thing he had planned on this evening was finding a nice quiet spot and curling up with the Sunday crossword puzzle. He only got to do the crossword once a week now, since the Andersons only paid for the Sunday edition of the Tri-County Herald. But if there was one thing that hadn't changed, it was Jessie.

"You!" she had shouted at him first thing without so much as a good morning. "You're invited to Buzz and my place this evenin'! Six PM sharp!" Then she had darted off.

Woody stopped in front of the door. It was a large, three story house painted white with an emerald green roof. The doorway met the top of his head and as he opened it, he had to duck to get inside.

Suddenly he found himself being shoved out. "What's the matter with you?" Jessie yelled as she pushed him. "Don't you know how to knock?"

"You invited me!"

She jammed her fists on her hips. "You leave your manners in your other hat? Ya just don't walk into somebody's house without consent! Now try again!" She slammed the door in his face.

Woody sighed. Raising his knuckles, he rapped on the brown wood…

The door flew open. "Woody!" Jessie cried with delight. "Good to see you! Well don't just stand there! Come on in!" Grabbing him by the vest, she yanked him inside, cracking his head on the top of the door frame as she did.

"Ow!"

"Oh Sweetie!" Jessie shouted as she dragged Woody through the tiny hall and into a kitchen. "Look whose come a-callin'!"

Inside, Woody could see Buzz at the table, his bulky frame scrunched uncomfortably into a chair. Jessie pushed Woody into a seat next to him. "You boys catch up and I'll put the coffee on!" Leaning over Buzz, she giggled with delight. "We finally get to use our third cup!"

As she scurried around the fake kitchenette, grabbing plastic mugs, Woody observed, "I never thought I'd see the day where Jessie went domestic."

"Me either, but she's having fun. We moved the couch today, five times."

"Five?"

"Well, it's a doll's couch. I can lift it with one hand." Jessie rejoined them, holding three empty coffee cups.

"How do you take your coffee?"

Woody frowned. "There's no coffee in there."

"What kind of toy are you? Use your imagination!" Jessie pointed a mug at Woody. "Now, how do you take your coffee?"

Woody sighed and threw his hands up. "Fine. Cream and sugar."

"Ooh, real original." Jessie slid the coffee cup across the table and Woody caught it.

"Well, how do you take yours?"

"Pipin' hot with a shot of whiskey."

Buzz grinned at the surprise on Woody's face. "That's my girl."

Jessie circled around behind them. "You like yours black with two sugars, right Buzz?"

"Ma'am, yes Ma'am!" Jessie set the cup in front of him and placed a kiss on the top of his head. As they shared a loving gaze, Woody looked away quickly. He was happy that his best friend and his sister were together, but he really didn't want to see them going all moony eyed.

Jessie finally took her chair at the other end of the table. "Ain't this the best doll house you've ever seen? Grandpa Geri really did a great job overhaulin' it!"

Woody nodded in agreement. "Bonnie's Mom said they found it with the rest of his personal effects. They think he was planning on giving it to Bonnie after he was done completely refurbishing it."

"Well she got it, even if he didn't get to give it to her personally."

Jessie raised her cup. "To Grandpa Geri?"

The other two clinked their plastic mugs against hers. "To Grandpa Geri."

There was quiet for a moment, then Jessie put down her cup. "Okay, enough with the sadness! After yer done with yer coffee, it's time for the Grand Tour!"

"Grand Tour?"

"That's right! You've seen the kitchen slash dinin' area, but you gotta see the livin' room, and the attic, and the bathroom, and the bedroom…"

Woody grimaced. "I would rather not see your bedroom."

Buzz held up a finger. "I kind of agree with Woody…"

"Oh all right, Nancy Pants. There's lots of other areas you can see." Jessie sat back. "We also got a broom closet and a garage and a nursery."

"A nursery?"

"Well, it's empty obviously. Though," she smiled shrewdly. "Not for lack of tryin'…"

Buzz spit out his imaginary coffee. Woody buried his face in his hands. "Oh Jessie…"

"Come on, Woody!" Jessie leaned over and grabbed his arm. "I know you're protective, but you just got face the facts." She motioned with her head. "Buzz ain't an innocent no more."

Buzz blushed and grinned, embarrassed. "Ah heh…"

Scowling, Woody began to push his seat out. "Perhaps I should just go…"

"Simmer down, Skinny Britches!" Jessie said. "Jeez, you'd think you were as pure as the Last Unicorn the way you get all squeamish."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Jessie smiled slyly. "Back at Andy's, you weren't exactly chaste yerself, were ya?"

Woody's face burned bright red. "I don't wanna talk about this!"

"Oh come on! How many nights did you spend in the guest room? Not comin' back until what, like six in the mornin'?"

Woody was quiet. He looked down into his empty mug. "I miss her." The other two looked at him. "I miss her laugh, and her smile, and her eyes…" He placed a hand on the back of his neck. "I even miss the way she used to yank me around with her crook."

Jessie stared at an invisible spot on the wall. "I miss the way she always wanted to play with my hair. I miss our girl talks."

"I miss how kind she was," said Buzz. "She always went out of her way to make everyone feel good…" He paused. "Except Potato Head."

In spite of himself, Woody smiled. "No love lost between those two."

Jessie stood. Circling behind him, she wrapped her arms around his torso. "I know she misses you too."

"Thanks, Jess."

Reaching over, she yanked Buzz out of his seat. "Get over here, Spaceman." Buzz sighed, and with a reluctant smile, joined in the hug.

I have the best friends a fellah could ask for, Woody thought as they embraced him. I just wish I didn't have this empty space inside…