So I do my stories at work because I work at a desk all day and need something to do sometimes. So I get my creative juices going. They have been going all day for me to create another chapter for you all. I finally solved the doctor dilemma and I pray that I picked the right character to be the town doctor. Meanwhile, I have brought in characters from both another movie and a game, but they will only be used for the purpose of this chapter, so I will not turn this story into a crossover. Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "Toy Story," I do not own Cornelius Robinson from "Meet the Robinsons," and I do not own Russell Crane from "Criminal Case," I only own Justine and Emily.
May 2, 2040
"Justine, wake up."
I was shaken awake by my daddy, and I saw a look of concern on his face.
"Good morning, Daddy."
"Good morning, darling. Hey, are you alright? You don't usually sleep in on a Wednesday."
"I'm sorry, Daddy," I replied, shaking my head. "I'm just so tired."
"Well, I got a head start on your morning chores," Daddy told me. "Do you think you will be able to finish them?"
"We'll find out," I answered.
"And hey, when you're done, please try to eat something," Daddy encouraged me. "It's not like you to go without a bite."
I nodded my head, watching my daddy leave the room. However, instead of trying to find a dress to wear, I sat back down at my desk chair. I had lost my appetite a few days ago, and whenever my parents encouraged me enough to take one bite of food, I felt nauseous. I was also very tired during the day and did not have much energy to do chores or schoolwork. I did have the energy, however, to read the books on animal and human medicine that Dolly had given me. I knew that I was not going through pregnancy because I never slept with anyone; I was not ready for that.
I was prompted to open my human medicine book and flip the pages to section discussing the digestive system. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. I winced and tried hard to not cry from the pain. Fighting the pain, I got up and went down the stairs.
WOODY'S POV
Justine never came down to finish her chores, so I ended up finishing them for her. I grew concerned because it was not like Justine to not do her morning chores. After I finished the chores, I went inside to grab a bite of Bo's breakfast.
"Woody, what are you still doing here?" Bo asked with surprise in her voice. "Shouldn't you be in town?"
"I did Justine's chores for her," I answered, shaking my head. "I hope she's alright."
"Come to think of it, I never saw her this morning."
We both turned around when we heard Justine, still wearing her white nightgown, coming down the steps.
"Oh! Justine! You're here!" Bo exclaimed with relief. "I thought you were sick."
"Wait, something is not right," I said, taking a look at my pale-looking daughter. "Are you alright, Justine?"
"Mother, Father," Justine spoke, sounding like she was fighting pain. "I love you."
Suddenly, Justine clutched onto her stomach and fell.
"JUSTINE!"
We rushed to Justine's side, and I watched Bo place her hand on our daughter's forehead.
"Oh, Woody, she has a fever!"
"And we still don't have a doctor!" I replied in panic.
"Woody, we need to stay calm for Justine," Bo told me. "Let's take some deep breaths and collect ourselves."
I took some deep breaths with my wife and calmed myself down.
"Now, let's take Justine to her room," Bo suggested.
We worked together to carry Justine back up the stairs and into her room.
"I should get Jessie and Buzz," I suggested after we laid her down.
"We also need to find a doctor, Woody," Bo replied.
"I'll take Slink with me and head out of town to find one."
Just as I was about to leave the room, I saw a book open on Justine's desk. I saw pictures of the digestive system of the human body.
"Hey, Bo, Justine was holding her stomach, right?"
"She also hasn't been eating in the last few days, Woody. What if she's dying from starvation?"
"With a fever? I think it's more than starvation, Bo."
"Just go get a doctor, Woody!" Bo screamed.
I ran down the stairs and out of the house, grabbed Bullseye, and galloped into town.
"JESSIE! BUZZ!" I screamed.
"What's wrong, Woody?" Slink asked me.
"Justine's sick," I answered with panic in my voice. "We need to find a doctor, Slink. I'll find Jessie and Buzz."
"I'll get the horses ready, Woody," Slink replied as I ran into the mercantile.
"Jessie? Buzz?"
"Woody, what's all the commotion?" Buzz asked, heading down the stairs with Jessie.
"Justine's sick with a fever and possibly a stomach problem."
"Oh my Lord," Jessie gasped.
"Can you two help Bo out at the house?" I asked.
"Of course, we will," Jessie answered.
"Is there anything we need to bring?" Buzz asked.
"Medicine, water, anything that will help Justine," I answered. "I gotta go."
I ran out of the mercantile and met back with Slink at the jail.
"So how are we going to find a doctor that fast, Woody?" Slink asked me.
"We'll have to go to all the surrounding towns," I answered.
"You got your cell phone on you?"
I checked all of my pockets for my cell phone that Cornelius Robinson had given me only for emergencies among my family. I found my cell phone in my front left pocket.
"Yes, I found it. Let's go, Slink."
"Why don't any of these doctors do house calls?" I asked in anger as we rode alongside Route 66.
"We've asked all kinds of doctors and they only do emergencies in the hospital," Slink answered, hanging his head down.
"Maybe we'll find someone in Sapulpa," I suggested. "Come on, Slink. We're running out of time."
Unfortunately, we were not able to find a doctor in Sapulpa either.
"Woody, let's just go home," Slink suggested after we walked out of the last hospital in the city.
"No, I'm not letting my daughter die!" I snapped, tears coming to my eyes. "We've got to find somebody."
"Have you called Cornelius?" Slink asked.
I put my hand on my phone and realized I did not have a choice anymore.
"No, I'll call him now."
I dialed my friend all the way in Todayland, North Montana, and I was thankful he picked up the phone.
"Sheriff Pride, it's nice to hear your voice here," Cornelius said on the other line.
"I wish I could say the same," I replied. "My daughter is sick, and I need help. We don't have a town doctor, and Slink and I can't find anyone to help."
Just then, we heard a horn honking, and we turned to see a man driving a red vintage car coming to a stop and rolling down his windows.
"May I help you, gentlemen?" the man asked.
"We're looking for a doctor," Slink answered. "His daughter's sick."
"Well, I'm a doctor," I heard the man say, and I let out a gasp.
"You're a doctor?" I asked with surprise.
"I'm not that kind of doctor, Woody, I'm sorry," I heard Cornelius say on the other line.
"Sorry, Cornelius, I'll call you back," I replied, hanging up the phone.
"What's going on with your daughter?" the man asked, getting out of the car.
"She hasn't been eating in a few days," I explained. "Today, she was clutching her stomach and fell. Her mother discovered she has a fever. Justine seems to think it's something in her digestive system. Can you help us?"
"I'm not that kind of doctor," the man, wearing a green shirt with black suspenders and black plants, replied. "But I'm willing to help in any way I can. I've studied medicine in case of an emergency."
"Well, this is definitely an emergency," Slink chimed in. "We haven't been able to find anybody in the surrounding towns."
"Well, then lead the way," the man replied in confidence.
"Hop on, partner!" I told him, holding out my hand for him to take.
"My name's Russell, by the way. Dr. Russell Crane."
"Dr. Crane, I'm Sheriff Woody Pride and this is Deputy Slink. Boy, are we glad to meet you! Ride like the wind, Bullseye!"
BO'S POV
Justine had been moaning the entire time she was in bed. Buzz and Jessie eventually joined me in watching her. While their company helped me with their emotional support, I was worried Justine was getting worse. She was starting to sweat underneath her blankets, and she was not able to eat or drink any water.
"Justine could just be having the flu," Buzz hypothesized, looking through Justine's book of medicine.
"Woody doesn't think it's the flu, Buzz," I replied with worry. "Besides, Justine was clutching her stomach when she fell."
"A stomach bug, maybe?" Jessie hypothesized.
"Oh, I hope Woody and Slink found a doctor by now."
Suddenly, my cell phone started to ring.
"That must be Woody. Can you two watch her while I take his call?"
Jessie and Buzz nodded as I ran to my room to answer my cell phone.
"Woody! Please tell me you found a doctor?"
"Yes, Bo, we did. We're rushing back home now."
"Oh! How wonderful!" I exclaimed with relief.
"How's Justine doing?"
"Woody, she's getting worse. Her fever isn't gone."
"We're going as fast as we can. We should be there within the hour."
"Please hurry," I pleaded before hanging up.
I sat with Buzz and Jessie for the next hour until I heard the door open downstairs.
"I'll be back," I told them.
I ran out of the room and down the stairs to see three men entering the house: Woody, Slink, and a man with blonde hair wearing a green shirt and black pants with suspenders.
"Woody, thank goodness you're home!" I greeted my husband with a hug and a kiss.
"Bo, this is Dr. Russell Crane," Woody introduced me to the man. "Dr. Crane, this is my wife Bo."
"Let's head upstairs," I suggested. "Slink, can you continue to watch the town?"
"You got it, Bo," Slink replied, leaving the house.
I led Dr. Crane upstairs to Justine's bedroom, and the doctor went right to work in examining Justine.
"Hi, Justine, I'm Russell and I'm here to help you, okay?"
Justine moaned in reply as Dr. Crane put his right hand on her forehead.
"She has a high fever, looking pale. Her heart is racing."
I watched Dr. Crane examine her stomach area, and Justine moaned even louder, especially on her right side. I watched Woody taking her left hand to try to comfort her.
"Her appendix is swollen and enlarged," Dr. Crane spoke, turning toward all of us with worry on his face. "Justine has appendicitis. Her appendix will need to be removed."
We all gasped.
"What happens if we don't remove it?" Woody asked.
"If the appendix is not removed, sepsis will occur," Dr. Crane explained. "The infection from the ruptured appendix will get into her bloodstream, and Justine will not survive."
"Can you do the surgery?" I asked.
"I'm not a medical doctor, Sheriff," Dr. Crane answered, hanging his head down. "I specialize in forensic psychology. Of course, I have studied appendectomies in books, but I've never actually performed an appendectomy before. I don't believe I even have the right tools for the operation, or even if I qualify."
"You're here now, Russell," Woody exclaimed with tears in his eyes. "We are not going back now!"
"I have chloroform for Justine to stay asleep throughout the operation," Jessie finally spoke.
"And I have the tools for the operation," Buzz said. "When I'm not here at home, I'm an astronaut in space. I've been trained for emergencies like you are."
"I have some history in performing operations," I spoke up. "But all the operations were in different toys who needed repairs."
"Bo, can you help me?" Dr. Crane asked me. "I need all the help I can get. Plus, I need your permission to operate on your daughter."
"Woody?"
We all turned to look at Woody to give his consent.
"Do it," Woody said, tears still in his brown eyes. "Save my daughter, Russell, please."
"Woody, I think it is best if you wait downstairs," Dr. Crane suggested.
"I'm staying put," Woody replied stubbornly.
"Sorry, Woody, but the doctor is right," Buzz said. "Staying here won't do you any good."
"I can join ya after we get Justine to sleep," Jessie told him, giving him a hug from behind.
"Justine is in good hands, Sheriff," I consoled my husband.
Woody cried, and he gave me a tight hug. I hugged him back, letting him cry on my shoulders. After we let each other go, I watched Woody leave the room. I grabbed Justine's medicine book from the desk and turned the pages, trying to find the page that would guide us on removing her appendix.
"Who's studying to be a doctor?" Dr. Crane asked, putting on some gloves and a white coat.
"Justine wants to be a veterinarian," I answered as I was given a pair of gloves.
"That is a noble profession. Buzz, is it? Do you have the tools?"
"Yes, sir, they're back at the mercantile."
"And so is the chloroform," Jessie chimed in. "I can grab both."
"Alright, but please hurry," Dr. Crane replied. "We don't have much time."
WOODY'S POV
I could not sit still in the kitchen. I did everything in my power to bring a doctor to town, even if he was not a medical doctor, and now I could not do anything but wait. I started to pace back and forth in the kitchen, which eventually led me outside. I eventually heard the door open and I saw my twin sister coming outside.
"Woody, come sit down," Jessie offered.
She took me by the shoulders and led me to the porch swing.
"I wish there was something I could do," I said, putting my head in my hands. "I hate all this waiting. I just want to know that she'll be okay."
"Ya did all ya could just from bringing Russell to town," Jessie consoled me, putting a smile on her face.
"But now I'm even more concerned. Why didn't Russell say he was a forensic psychologist?"
"Because Russell knew that someone's life was in danger and dropped everything to see her. He was willing to help no matter what. Come with me."
Jessie led me off the porch and to the side of the house where there was a little tree growing.
"Ya see this little tree growing? Justine planted that tree."
"Justine said that she got a seedling from the Oklahoma City Memorial," I replied. "This is the same one?"
"Yes, Woody. Justine saw hope in all of us after she returned from her trip to the city. Right now, this little tree is our symbol of resilience for Justine. We need to believe she will survive this, Woody, for her."
I took a look the little tree that Justine had planted and realized that Jessie was right. But words could not describe how proud I was for how much Justine had grown the last few months. I said a prayer in front of the tree that Justine would make it through the operation, and I went back in the house and made dinner for me and Jessie.
"Woody? Woody, wake up."
I was shaken awake and found Russell next to me on the couch.
"Oh, how's Justine?"
"The good news is she survived the operation," Russell explained. "We removed the appendix in time. The bad news is, she still has a fever and she has lost a lot of blood. Your wife and I will be watching her overnight to see if anything changes."
"Actually, Russell, may I watch my daughter? Bo has already done so much tonight. I would like her to rest."
"I think that is a good idea," Russell replied with a grin. "Your wife was a big help. Actually, she did most of the work. I just helped with cutting the body open and helping her with the stitching."
"Bo did the operation?" I asked in shock.
"She wasn't lying when she said she had experience. She knew what to do, and she did not gag once. I was the one who gagged. Buzz gagged also."
We both chuckled.
"I made dinner, Russell. It's in the oven. I hope you like barbecue."
"I love barbecue," Russell replied with a smile. "Thank you for the hospitality."
"If you don't mind me asking, where in Oklahoma are you from?"
"I am actually not from Oklahoma at all. I was on my way to my hometown in Pacific Bay, California to visit my dad when I found you and Slink just wandering around. I'm from Connecticut. I have a wife and two children."
"Well, on behalf of the town, I want to thank you for sacrificing your time to help my daughter. That is a very Oklahoma thing to do."
"It should not just be an Oklahoma thing, Woody," Russell replied, carrying a grim look on his face. "I sacrificed my time because it was the right thing to do. Someone needed help, and I offered. Unfortunately, people take life so much for granted that they don't know what kindness is anymore. They've learned not to trust anybody, their friends more than strangers."
"Well, Russell, you certainly have a friend in me," I said with a smile. "You have friends in all of us. No matter if Justine makes it through the night or not, I am thankful for you helping us. You may not be a medical doctor, but you still took the time to help us, for which we are eternally grateful."
"Maybe I should convince Amy to retire here," Russell replied with a chuckle.
"I hope you and Amy like cowboys and Indians."
We laughed.
"Well, we're fascinated with both."
"Oklahoma is certainly rich with that kind of history," I told my new friend. "We all love it here. Justine is just now coming out of her shell and starting to learn more about herself."
"Justine looks like she's my son's age," Russell replied. "My son is thirteen."
"Justine is older than that. She's sixteen."
"Oh my goodness! I am so sorry."
"No, it's okay! You didn't know."
We laughed for a few seconds, relieving the tension that was going on.
"I should go relieve Bo."
"I think that is a good idea," Russell replied in agreement.
I walked up the stairs to see Bo asleep in the chair. I smiled and then shook her awake.
"Woody? What time is it?"
"It's nine o'clock," I answered. "I have your plate in the oven. How's Justine doing?"
"The operation was a success," Bo answered with a worried look on her face. "But there hasn't been a change in Justine. Just that she's not in pain anymore. Lord, I hope she makes it."
"Russell told me you did the operation. Bo, I'm proud of you."
"Aww, Sheriff. I'm exhausted."
"Go get some sleep, Bo. I'll take over from here."
"Thank you, Woody. I love you."
"I love you too, hon."
We kissed each other before Bo left the room. I took a look at Justine, who was sleeping peacefully in her own bed. She never had a chance to braid her hair this morning, so it was a rare, beautiful sight to see her long blonde hair untouched. As beautiful as she was, I wanted to braid her hair. I stood up, walked to Justine's bedside, and I lifted her hair to divide her hair in two. I braided one side of her hair, then I went to the other side and braided the other half. I walked back to the chair on the other side of the room, sat down and started crying again. I was not ready to lose my daughter, not after everything I had worked for.
"Lord, please give Justine the strength she needs to make it through the night," I prayed through my tears. "She still has her whole life ahead of her. Please do not take that from her. Justine is the greatest gift I could ever have. Please do not take her from me."
JUSTINE'S POV
I stirred myself awake and discovered that I was back in my room. I must have woken up in the middle of the night because my lamp was on and it was dark outside. I felt a lot of pain in my stomach, but otherwise, I felt fine. I wondered how long I was out from my fall this morning. I weakly looked over to my left to see my daddy sleepily holding onto my left hand. I squeezed it, letting him know I was awake. I watched my daddy stir awake, and I was just barely able to put a smile on my face.
"Daddy?"
"Justine?" Daddy asked in reply, then his eyes widened. "Justine, you're awake! Oh, thank you, Lord! How are you feeling? Any pain?"
"Daddy, Daddy, relax. My stomach feels weird, but I'm fine."
I watched Daddy run out of the room and shouting to the entire house that I was awake. Then he ran back into the room and came to my side.
"Daddy, what happened?" I asked. "The last thing I remember was I fell down and went to sleep."
"I'll leave it to our two doctors to explain what happened to you," Daddy answered with a big smile. "Oh, I'm just so happy you're okay."
I watched my mother and a man I did not know enter the room.
"How are you feeling, Justine?" Mother asked, a smile forming on her face.
"It hurts in my stomach, but I feel fine otherwise."
"Justine, I'm Dr. Russell Crane," the man with blonde hair introduced himself with a smile. "Your father and I met while he was finding a doctor. I dropped everything and helped your mother remove your appendix."
"Remove my appendix?" I asked. "Wait, Mother, you removed my appendix? How? You're not a doctor."
"When I was a lost toy, Justine, I repaired myself, I operated on my sheep, and I operated on other toys," Mother explained. "Thanks to your book, Russell and I worked together to remove your appendix."
"Your appendix was enlarged, Justine," Russell continued explaining. "We had to remove your appendix or else it would have ruptured and you would have died. You may have lost consciousness because of your fever. Speaking of which, let me feel you."
Russell put his right hand on my forehead.
"Your fever broke," Russell assured me and my parents with a smile. "Congratulations, Justine, you made it!"
"Does this mean you are the new doctor in town, Russell?" I asked with a weak smile.
"Unfortunately, no, I am only passing by. I was on my way to visit my dad when your dad found me."
"But I do believe we have found our doctor," Daddy chimed in, putting his arms around my mother.
"Woody! I don't have a license or any education," my mother scolded him.
"I might be able to help with that," Russell chimed in. "I witnessed Bo perform the operation and I believe she is more than capable of being the town's doctor. I can help make that happen."
"Maybe talk to Cornelius Robinson," Daddy suggested. "He was the one who helped me make this town happen. Maybe he can help turn Bo into a legally licensed doctor."
"Cornelius Robinson," Russell whispered to himself, writing his name down on his phone. "Noted. Wait a minute, I've heard that name before."
"You have?" Daddy asked.
"You see, my wife works for an agency called TIME and she's been keeping an eye on Cornelius Robinson's son for quite some time."
"Wilbur Robinson, right?"
"Do you know them personally?" Russell asked us with surprise written on his face.
"Oh yeah, both Cornelius and Wilbur have visited the ranch before."
"Well, then this should be easy," Russell replied, giving us a wink.
"So you really do have more to teach her after all," Daddy told my mother. "Justine could be your assistant. As for your practice, the town will pay you your salary."
"But what about my sheep?" Mother asked.
"Daddy and I will watch over your sheep when you're needed," I chimed in, finally gathering the strength to sit up in my bed. "Mother, I think being a doctor is your destiny. You always listen, you're resourceful, you're smart, and heck, you saved my life! If it wasn't for you, I'd be dead right now. So, thank you, and congratulations on becoming the new town doctor."
"I second all of that, Justine," Daddy said with pride in his voice. "I'm proud of you, Dr. Bo Peep."
"Aww, Sheriff, it's Dr. Pride. I'm only Bo Peep when I tend to my sheep and do the shopping in town."
We laughed and celebrated my health very briefly before we fell back asleep.
I woke up to knocking on my door.
"Come in?" I asked sleepily.
The door opened to reveal my mother.
"Good morning, Justine."
"Good morning, Mother."
"How are you feeling?" Mother asked with a smile.
"A little better," I answered, sitting up in my bed.
"Are you hungry?"
"Actually, yeah, I am. I could use a slice of chocolate cake right now."
"Chocolate cake?" Mother asked with laughter. "How about a slice of banana bread? It's better for you."
"Then banana bread it is."
"Also, you have company."
"I do? Who is it?"
"The entire class," Mother answered with a big smile. "They're all waiting downstairs to see you. I can send your classmates up one at a time if you'd like."
"Please and thank you!"
I greeted each of my classmates in bed, and I received a get well card from everybody, including Miss Anderson. Miss Anderson told me to take it easy until Monday when I'm well enough to go back to school. My mother also gave each classmate a piece of pie or banana bread and gave them a tour of Pride Ranch, allowing the kids to pet all the animals on the barn. I smiled when I watched my classmates pet the sheep and the pigs and the cows. The chickens were not as friendly as it was time for them to lay their eggs.
Suddenly, I heard knocking on the door.
"Come in."
The door opened to reveal Emily.
"Emily? I thought you were petting the animals with the other kids."
"I've been here so many times," Emily explained. "I got permission from Miss Anderson to see you personally. Oh Justine, I'm glad to see that you're okay. And is the rumor true: your mother is going to be the new doctor?"
"Yes, it's true. My mother removed my appendix and some friends of ours are going to help her become a doctor legally."
"How are you feeling about all of this? I mean, both the news and the pain?"
"Well, I'm still in a little bit of pain, but the support has been amazing. The big question right now is, where is my mother going to practice?"
"We did not gather enough funds for the doctor's office," Emily explained. "But we did have enough for a new playground."
"Yay!"
"Yep, the new playground is coming next fall."
"I guess we'll see where Mother is going to do her practice in the meantime."
"I am so happy for you guys. Justine, you now have someone to look up to when you go to college."
"I love how it took me almost dying to help the town figure out who the doctor should be."
"But still, an ending is an ending, and I'm glad it's a happy ending. Now we just need you to get your strength back."
"I'm a fighter, Emily. I got this!"