I had quite the busy weekend with my grandma coming into town and spending time with me. It was a lot of fun! Now, I could not figure out a way to finish this chapter, so we will have to see how the weekend goes for the Pride family later. Also, some friends are coming back. Have fun reading!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "Toy Story," I only own Justine and Emily. I also do not own Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over." Also, I wrote this chapter with the Sixpence None the Richer version of the song in mind.
June 1, 2040
For the first time ever in the Pride household, I cooked breakfast. My daddy woke me up, saying that my mother had to get ready for a big business trip. Of course, I obliged.
"Hey, Daddy, what does Mother usually make for breakfast?" I asked, scratching my blonde head.
"She mixes things up every day," Daddy answered. "Every breakfast is different."
"Okay, let's try again: what does Mother like to eat?"
"Apple pie and meatloaf."
"For breakfast?" I asked with laughter. "That sounds like lunch! What about breakfast?"
"I'm serious," Daddy replied, also laughing. "But she does something special with her meatloaf for breakfast: she adds scrambled eggs and green peppers."
"But what does she use for meat? Ground beef?"
"No, ground turkey!"
"That does sound delicious," I said, smacking my lips. "Okay, but we need more than meatloaf for a balanced breakfast."
"I'm still hanging on to the apple pie suggestion," Daddy replied. "Yes, there's lots of carbs in it, but there's fruit in it too."
"That is true. Alright, apple pie and meatloaf it is."
Daddy and I worked together to make breakfast just in case I were to mess up. Thankfully, I did not have to worry about heading to school, as school was out for the summer. If I made a mess, I had all the time in the world to clean. I made the meatloaf while Daddy prepped the apples and the crust for the pie. Eventually, I was ready to put the meatloaf in the oven, and we were ready to make the pie. The apple pie joined the meatloaf in the oven, and we got to work cleaning the kitchen.
"I love taking care of the animals," I told my daddy. "But sometimes a break is nice. I enjoyed making breakfast today."
"A change in plans is a great way to reset your state of mind," Daddy replied. "You did great."
"So did you. We worked together. So what's with Mother's big business trip?"
"Your mother is going to Todayland for the weekend to take an exam and be interviewed in order to become a doctor," Daddy explained.
"Will she be gone for just the weekend or the whole week?"
"Just the weekend."
"Now wait, how are we going to get Mother to the airport?" I asked. "I don't believe horses are allowed at airports."
Daddy pondered my question before the oven timer dinged. We took out the food.
"Let's let the food cool down," Daddy suggested. "I have something to show you."
We walked outside and into the barn, but we continued walking until we got to the back. I found something covered in a black blanket.
"Daddy, are you keeping secrets from me?" I asked, pointing at the mysterious object.
"I believe you are ready for this secret, Justine," Daddy answered.
Daddy pulled the black sheet… to reveal a blue flying car!
"You have a flying car?" I asked and I giddied. "No way! How did you get this?"
"It was a gift from Cornelius Robinson," Daddy answered. "He said if I ever needed to go to a place that's far away for a horse, I could use this flying car. It's really easy to drive."
"Can I try it?" I asked excitedly.
"First of all, young lady, it's 'may I try it?' Second of all, no. You need to stay here in the house to watch all the animals while I drop your mother off at the airport."
"Daddy, didn't we already go through this? You know I hate being cooped up in the house."
"For goodness sakes, Justine, you are not staying in the house all day!" Daddy replied sternly, but then he took a deep breath. "It's a one-and-a-half hour drive to Tulsa, and I have to ensure your mother gets on her flight. That may take an hour or two. Then I'm coming straight home and into town. You will only be home throughout the morning and possibly early afternoon. That should be plenty of time for you to do your daily chores. If you get them all done by the time I get into town, I will give you some cash to do some shopping for the weekend."
"This is the first time any one of us will be gone for the weekend," I said, blowing a whistle. "How will we occupy the time with Mother gone?"
"I'll tell you what, Justine," Daddy started to propose a plan, putting his hands on my shoulders. "I'll be done in town at sunset. Let's eat at Estelle's tonight, just the two of us. We'll eat there tomorrow, too. Your mother will be back in Tulsa by night tomorrow. I'll be glad to take you along with me when we pick her up."
"That sounds good. But what's the shopping for? Myself or for us?"
"Your mother always does her shopping on Saturdays. But you're going to do the shopping for us today when you finish your chores."
Daddy paused.
"I just thought of something else we could do: we could try to find a place for a new doctor's office so your mother can start her practice Monday."
"If she gets her license."
"Oh, I'm confident your mother will get her license to practice medicine," Daddy replied. "But right now, let's get back in the house before your mother wonders where we're at."
We walked out of the barn and back into the house to find my mother already taking a helping of food.
"Good morning, Bo," Daddy said with a smirk.
"Oh, good morning, Sheriff," Mother replied, stuffing a bite of meatloaf in her mouth.
"Mother, why don't you sit down?" I suggested, taking her plate and leading her to the table.
"This is delicious, Woody," Mother said with a big smile.
"Actually, Justine made the meatloaf," Daddy replied. "We both worked on the apple pie."
"Amazing job, you two," Mother complimented us, giving us a thumbs up.
"Now eat, Bo, you have a busy weekend ahead of you."
"Hey, Daddy, who's going to be in charge of the town while you're gone?" I asked.
"Oops," Daddy said, biting his lip. "I didn't think about that."
"Jessie knows her way around," Mother suggested. "Just leave her in charge. When do you think you'll be back?"
"Your flight's at ten, right?" Daddy asked, and Mother nodded. "So probably around one-thirty. That's not a bad idea. But then there's the store—"
"Let Uncle Buzz handle it," I suggested. "Buzz is Auntie Jessie's husband after all. He must know how to run the store."
"Or you could make Buzz your deputy for the morning," Mother chimed in.
"I think I have everything figured out," Daddy said with pride in his voice. "And how are you doing with your packing, ma'am?"
"All done!" Mother replied enthusiastically. "I'll go get it."
WOODY'S POV
We left the house at seven o'clock and made it to Tulsa in one and a half hours by flying car. Bo was able to pass through security safely, and now we were sitting waiting for Bo's flight to be open.
"We haven't spent time apart since Justine was born," Bo said, leaning into my left shoulder.
"Everything will be fine, Bo," I assured her, pulling her close to me. "You will do amazing in Todayland."
"When was the last time we were apart?" Bo asked.
"When Jennifer gave you away," I answered. "It broke my heart, knowing that I'd never see you again."
"Somehow, fate was kind and we found each other again, nine years later. We haven't been separated since."
"Hey, at least it's just for the weekend and not another nine years."
"Oh goodness, no."
We chuckled.
"Do you remember when Justine was born?"
"I remember it like it was yesterday," I answered. "You knew what you were doing on that day, too. You even told me what to do to deliver Justine safely. Boy, was I scared! But you, you stayed calm throughout that entire experience despite all the pain you went through."
"The pain went away as soon as I saw Justine's cute little face," Bo replied, closing her eyes and putting on the biggest smile I had ever seen since Justine was born. "And here we are, over sixteen years later. These are even better years than when I lived life as a lost toy."
"I have to agree."
"Attention, Flight #0700. Your plane to Todayland, North Montana is now boarding."
"That's my cue," Bo said, standing up.
I got up with her, and I embraced her as long as I could. We broke apart only to share a kiss.
"I love you, Woody."
"I love you too, Bo. Be safe. Don't be afraid."
"Who's afraid?" Bo asked, giving me a wink. "Tell Justine I love her."
"Will do, ma'am."
We shared one more kiss before I watched Bo walk through the gate and onto the plane. I walked back through the airport and back out to my flying car to head home.
BO'S POV
Todayland, North Montana
I had never been to Todayland before. I had read the news about the United States expanding, taking some of southern Canada as part of a treaty, and part of Canada became North Montana, the 51st state of the United States. I had also read that Todayland was a new name for a city I do not remember and that it was going to be transformed into some sort of utopia, thanks to the inventions of Cornelius Robinson, the world's greatest inventor. As Tulsa and Oklahoma City were both part of Route 66, both cities maintained most of their modern contemporary looks from twenty years ago to preserve history.
The flight to Todayland from Tulsa took about two hours, as Todayland was not quite directly north of Tulsa. I had taken my cell phone with me and noticed that I had gained an hour of time; Todayland was in Mountain Time, with the city being located north of the Rocky Mountains. When we got closer to the airport, I could see the utopian city from a distance, and it looked very different compared to the city of Tulsa. Everything looked like it was built in seconds by some sort of machine mechanism. I saw people travelling in their own bubbles that popped when they got to their destination. I saw monorails and moving sidewalks. I understood why Todayland was called the city of the future; I felt like I had travelled forward in time. Then again, it was the year 2040, and the world made quite a bit of progress since the disastrous pandemic hit.
The plane eventually landed at Todayland International Airport and I made my way out, wearing a baby blue jumpsuit with my purple cloak. I clung onto my purse and walked off the plane, unsure of where I was going. As I got through the gate and into the terminal, I saw a huge sign that displayed my name. I blew a sigh of relief as I walked toward that person.
"Thank you for finding me," I told her.
"I cannot believe it: Bo, you're back!"
"Wait, do I know you?" I asked in bewilderment.
"I believe I helped break you out of that antique store in Grand Basin," the woman explained.
I opened my mouth in astonishment. The petite woman in front of me, tan with black hair and brown eyes, wearing a blue security uniform, was Giggle McDimples, my best friend from my adventures as a lost toy.
"Oh my gosh, Gigs, is that you?" I asked, now with excitement.
"Bo Peep!"
We both laughed as we hugged each other tightly.
"It is so good to see you!" I told her. "What are you doing here in Todayland?"
"I'm the security officer of Todayland," Gigs explained. "I help Dr. Robinson build his security robots and I keep the town safe from evil."
There was a small pause.
"Well, alright, not evil, per say. More like minor infractions. There's no crime here in Todayland, which is amazing!"
"Really, no crime at all?" I asked in amusement.
"The only things that happened this entire time was arresting a psychotic girl, arresting two ninjas, and enforcing quarantine from a parasitic wasp that had been laying eggs all over Todayland. And then there's the time where the city somehow changed, but Cornelius's son put everything back together again and I didn't have to do anything."
There was another pause as Gigs let out a sigh.
"Yeah, life is great in Todayland. So, what about you? What brings you here?"
"Dr. Robinson and Dr. Crane have given the panel recommendations on making me a doctor," I explained. "I never went to college, so this is their way of granting me that license. I have to take exams and do interviews."
"So that's why I'm supposed to be taking you to Robinson Industries!" Gigs said. "You're going to be a doctor. That's incredible. And I'm serious! After the way you took care of us whenever we got hurt, you deserve to be called a doctor."
"Well, some things happened that got me here today…"
I caught up with Gigs on my own life, that I married Woody and gave birth to our daughter, all of the adventures the three of us had together, even if it was confined to the state of Oklahoma, and how I saved my daughter's life from an almost-ruptured appendix.
"You saved your own daughter?" Gigs asked in amazement. "Girl, I would be terrified to do that."
"I was terrified," I replied. "But the doctor who came to help us wasn't a medical doctor; he was a criminal profiler. Both he and Buzz gagged when they tried to operate, so I had to do it myself. Thankfully, Justine made it through the night. It was Dr. Crane's emotional support that helped me through it."
"Well, I gotta drive you to Robinson Industries so you can take your exams," Gigs said.
"Lead the way," I encouraged her. "I've never been here before."
"Oh, you'll love it!"
"Giggle McDimples of Todayland. You've really moved up from Mini-apolis."
"Well, let's just say I found my forever home. Everyone is accepted here in Todayland, even the mutant turtles!"
"Mutant turtles?" I asked in amusement. "Alright, that's a—wait a minute, do you mean… Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo?"
"Those are the ones! But only Donnie's made it so far. Actually, I think Donnie's here. He's a doctor too, you know."
"Really?"
"Although… I don't think it's the same Donnie we both know. It's a different Donnie. He's got a gap in his teeth."
"Yeah, definitely a different Donnie," I replied with a smirk. "So is anyone else here in Todayland with you?"
"Duke's here. Ducky and Bunny are here, but now they're Danny and Benny. All three of them provide comedy at Robinson Industries five nights a week."
"Who provides the comedy the other two nights?" I asked.
"Oh, wait. Sorry. Once you get to know me, I talk and giggle all the time. Danny and Benny do comedy three nights a week, then Duke does stunts three nights a week, and all three of them combine their talents on Sunday nights. On occasion, the Robinsons will host a holiday event and Danny, Benny, and Duke get a break."
"I take it Cornelius has a family?"
"Yeah, and it's huge! Like, his parents, his wife, his son, his aunts and uncles, his twin cousins, and his two brothers-in-law. I also hear his son has a girlfriend, too."
"Oh, that doesn't sound that huge," I replied.
"Alright, maybe it sounds huge because they're all named Robinson except for the two brothers."
"It sounds like we all made a name for ourselves."
"Nah, me? I'm just security."
"Gigs, you are the security officer in all of Todayland! How do people not know who you are?"
"It's my duty to protect, Bo, not to make friends."
"But Gigs, you are all about making friends. You make friends with everyone you come across!"
We arrived at Robinson Industries, which was a tall building shaped like the letter 'R.' I followed Gigs into an elevator that took me to the top floor, and then I was lead to a room with one doctor in the room.
"Good luck, Bo," Gigs whispered. "You got this!"
She gave me a thumbs up and I returned it before Gigs went back in the elevator. I took a deep breath and took a seat where I saw a laptop on the table. Thankfully, I knew how a laptop worked because I had worked on a computer before, and I did not hesitate to start my exam.
JUSTINE'S POV
Elkhorn, Oklahoma
I finished all of my chores within hours since my parents left. After I finished, I studied my medicine book for an hour and I took Bullseye into town, hoping Estelle can give me a delicious lunch. After I got into town and passed the saloon, I heard someone trying to get my attention.
"Who's there?" I asked.
"Over here!"
I turned to see Don waving at me to come in the saloon. I walked up to the door and greeted him there.
"You know I can't go in there, right?" I asked. "I got in trouble last time."
"Justine, you're good at cheering people up," Don explained. "You did back in February. But listen, a couple of my customers had a fight and it got so out of control that Buzz had to stop it. It dampened the mood of my other customers. Is there anyway you can, you know… sing to them?"
I let out a sigh.
"Alright, but do not tell my daddy about this. I think I know a song for this mood."
"We have a new karaoke machine for you to test out," Don suggested.
"How did you get a karaoke machine?" I asked.
"I had Jessie buy one for me. I think it'll help with customer satisfaction."
I walked over to the karaoke machine and selected the song I had in mind. The music started, and the customers immediately cheered.
"I know this song!" one of them yelled happily.
When the time came, I took a breath, and I started to sing sweetly.
There is freedom within, there is freedom without
Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup
There's a battle ahead, many battles I've loved
But you'll see the end of the road while you're traveling with me
I took another breath and turned toward the customers with the microphone in my hand.
Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win
Now I'm towing my car, there's a hole in the roof
My possessions are causing me suspicion, but there's no proof
In the paper today, tales of war and of waste
But you turn right over to the TV page
I sang the chorus again just as sweetly.
"Go Justine!"
I turned toward the door to see Emily peeking in. I smiled and waved at her. I looked around the room and saw more smiles in the saloon now than I did when I walked in. Eventually, the little bridge was over, and I went back to singing.
Now I'm walking again to the beat of the drum
And I'm counting the steps to the door of your heart
Only shadows ahead, barely clearing the roof
Get to know the feeling of liberation and release
I finished the song and the saloon cheered. I walked out to see Emily, who gave me a hug.
"You know, my main reason for coming into town was to have lunch at your grandmother's, not to entertain people."
"It was worth it anyway, right?" Emily asked.
"It was fun to sing again, I won't lie," I answered.
"Well, my grandma's got a delicious lunch waiting. Let's go."
Emily and I walked together next door to the café and we took a seat at the table.
"I saw your horse outside," Estelle greeted me. "Is your father back yet?"
"No, he's probably on his way back from Tulsa," I answered. "I got bored at home, so I came here to town."
"Well, what will it be, Justine?"
"May I have the special, please?" I asked.
"Sweet potato and chicken dumplings, coming right up!"
"That sounds really good."
"My grandma likes to be creative with food," Emily explained. "You should try her barbecue-seasoned sweet potato fries."
"Barbecue and sweet potatoes? Interesting combination. "What about sweet potato fries and honey mustard?"
"Justine! That sounds… actually, it sounds really good. I never thought of that combination."
"Were you about to be grossed out?" I asked, trying to contain my laughter.
"Yes!" Emily answered with a big laugh. "What do you think would be the grossest combination?"
"Let's see, sweet potatoes and buffalo sauce probably would not mix."
"Yuck! Agreed. You win this one, Justine."
"Here you go, Miss Pride," Estelle said, placing a plate in front of me.
"Thank you!"
"Would you like dessert with that?"
"No, thank you. I had dessert this morning."
"Let me guess: banana bread?" Emily asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No! Apple pie! Daddy and I made breakfast for my mother and we worked together to make apple pie. Apple pie is one of my mother's favorite foods."
"For some reason, I always pictured your mother liking cherry pie, not apple."
"Mother likes cherry pie, too! Heck, she makes the best cherry pie!"
"So, what plans do you and your dad have this weekend?"
"Oh, I imagine we're going to have dinner tonight, have a little bit of fun. Tomorrow, he'll go to work and I'll stay at home doing my chores. Then we'll have dinner again and have more fun. On Sunday, we'll go to church, have lunch together, Daddy'll go to work, I'll go home. We'll have dinner again, and then we'll pick up my mother at the airport."
"You sound like you're dreading this," Emily replied with a raised eyebrow.
"My daddy's still not used to my being home less often, so now I'm doing twice as much on the weekend. The worst part is, I'm home alone. Not even Bullseye can keep me company because, well, he's a horse."
"What if you had a companion?" Emily suggested.
"Oh, I'd love it! Would you, pleeeeeease?"
"I'm sorry, Justine, I wasn't talking about me."
"Oh, phooey," I replied, crossing my arms. "Alice?"
"Nope."
"Bernadette?"
"Sorry."
"Heck, I'll take Miles over being lonely!"
"Miles is younger than you. You know that, right?"
"I don't care."
"Besides, I don't think your daddy will appreciate you being home alone with a boy."
I groaned.
"Good point."
"I will find a companion for you and you will love her!" Emily said. "Just trust me."