Hi everyone! I'm back with another chapter - the conclusion to the rumor plot and also possibly the most interesting chapter I have ever written. I also want to thank Hawki for the review. I'm sure you all will notice that the first chapter was written in 2014 and I had writer's block on this story until 2021. LOL. Actually, I was discouraged for a while after receiving a negative review and stopped writing altogether until the pandemic hit. But anyway, I see the stories I have written here the last two years and the stories I have written all the way back in 2014, and I see a big difference, because I went to school and learned to write better - heck, I have a Master's degree! Today, my writing these stories are brain exercises. I actually had fun writing this chapter, because I had to look back on the "Meet the Robinsons" stories I had written way back then and then also one of my more recent stories, a "Toy Story" X "Meet the Robinsons" crossover called "Pride and Justice" to build on that. But to know the true story, you'd have to read my first three stories I have written here: "Catastrophe"; "Disaster"; and "Trouble." Sure, they were written by a 17-year-old girl, but I did receive an 'A' on my first story, and that's what started the whole thing.
But enough of my past. I'm sure you all want to read what happens to Justine Pride next. With that said, enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "Toy Story," I only own Justine and Bridgette.
After apologies were exchanged between my daddy and me, we had become the rootinest-tootinest Pride family again, enjoying our dinner last night, and that continued into the next morning. My daddy started the day by telling me that he was lifting my punishments because I had always told him the truth, and I did not lie to him this time. I had hugged my mother in relief, thrilled that I could go into town on Saturday. I even shared my happiness with Chloe, who was eating her turkey.
Suddenly, we heard knocking on the door, and we all turned to the door with confusion on our faces.
"Who could that be at this time of morning?" Mother asked.
"It could be Slink," Daddy suggested. "Sometimes a crime happened or someone's stuck."
"Should I get it?" I asked.
"No, I'll get it," Daddy replied.
He got up from the table, walked to the door, and opened it.
"Dolly! How can I help you today? And Bridgette, nice to see you."
"Bridgette?" I asked with surprise, and I rushed over to the door.
"Bridgette stayed after school to talk to me," Miss Anderson explained. "We agreed to come here together before school and have her talk to Justine."
"What do you want, Bridgette?" I asked her.
"Justine."
I glanced up at my daddy to see a stern look on his face, and I immediately understood what he meant.
"I mean, how can I help you?" I tried again.
"I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry," Bridgette explained, hanging her head down. "I was trying so hard to blend in that I hurt you. You were the first to talk to me and Edmund and you were friendly. You were the friendliest out of all the townsfolk. You went out of your way to welcome me and Edmund, and boy, did I do a stupid thing. You were right: I should have asked you first about why you were in the saloon. But from the way you spoke to me, I didn't think your reputation mattered, but I guess it does and for that, I'm sorry. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me."
I listened to Bridgette with a smile on my face and was thrilled that she thought about what she had done.
"Bridgette, I'm sorry too. I handled the situation horribly. I should have been calm when confronting you, but I was angry instead. I had always thought that I would handle my problems the way Daddy does: sternly and with justice. But that's not me. I may be Sheriff Woody Pride's daughter, but I'm Bo Peep's daughter also. I want to make things right by staying calm and being kind. I'm sorry for what I said yesterday, about trusting you being my biggest mistake."
"Justine, you have nothing to be sorry for," Bridgette replied. "You have a kind soul. Keep it. It's who you are. You are bold like Sheriff Woody, but kind like Dr. Pride. I had a long talk with my parents about what drama really is and I don't want to start it again. I would like for us to be friends."
"I would like that also," I replied, still smiling. "I forgive you."
We exchanged hugs.
"May I say a word, please?" Daddy asked.
We broke apart and turned to look at him.
"Bridgette, please do not spread rumors anymore," Daddy told her. "Not only do they hurt people, but you hurt yourself also for not being honest."
"I know, Sheriff. I am sorry for causing you all trouble."
"But I have a couple of suggestions also: One, I would like you to apologize to the town for spreading those rumors. Those people were very worried something was going to happen to Pete regarding the mine. Second, if you're old enough, maybe you can work somewhere in town. If you want to know what's going on, working with people is the best way to know."
"I think I may have an even better idea," I chimed in. "Miss Anderson, why don't we start a school newspaper? We can interview ourselves, the townsfolk… not only would this teach us how to read and write, we also know what's going on and we learn how to report the truth. Bridgette can be the head editor."
"That's a wonderful idea, Justine!" Miss Anderson replied. "But we still need to find out what's going on outside of Elkhorn."
"Jessie sometimes goes to McAlester for supplies," Mother chimed in. "She can communicate with us from the people she speaks to."
"It would be more helpful if Auntie Jessie had someone to go with her," I replied, pondering in thought.
"I know the best person for the job," Daddy said.
He placed his hands on my shoulders, and I smiled at the affection. Suddenly, I understood what he meant.
"You think I'm the best person to go with Auntie Jessie?" I asked with surprise. "Why?"
"Justine, you're almost seventeen," Daddy explained. "And after one more year of school here, you'll be venturing off into the world. I don't want you to go out into the world blind because you only know what happens here. Believe me: the world out there is a whole lot different than the world in here. But promise me something, Justine: be bold and daring, stand tall. Don't let the fear of the world bring you down."
I couldn't help but smile back. I was excited at this opportunity.
"I promise to not let you down, Daddy."
"Correction: don't let yourself down. Don't carry high expectations. Appreciate the little things. Your heart is full of them."
Daddy and I hugged before we heard Miss Anderson clear her throat.
"It's about time to leave for school."
"I was so happy to be back in school with my friends," I finished telling the events of the day to my aunt in the mercantile. "And words cannot describe how I felt when Miles apologized for calling me... well, you know. We're all comfortable around each other again."
"I'm happy that Bridgette apologized for spreadin' those rumors," Auntie Jessie replied as she finished dusting the shelves. "And that newspaper idea you gave to Dolly is an excellent idea. I remember Bonnie's daddy readin' the paper every morning at breakfast. Sometimes Bonnie would bring me to breakfast. It'd be nice to hear events around the world through words, not just our ears. It makes more sense when they're written down."
"Daddy also suggested that I go with you to McAlester to bring those events back to Elkhorn. Kind of like a reporter."
Auntie Jessie stood in thought with her hands on her hips. After a couple of minutes, she put a smile on her face and looked me with a glimmer in her green eyes.
"I've got a better idea for ya, Justine. Y'are sixteen. How would ya like a job?"
"I'd get paid to be a reporter?" I asked with curiosity.
"Not just to be a reporter, Justine. I mean a job in my store! I could use the extra help. And what better way for ya to learn how the world works than to work for ya favorite auntie?"
I laughed with merriment.
"Auntie Jessie, I'm thrilled at the offer, but… you're my aunt. You don't have to pay me."
"Lesson number one, Justine: never let anyone take advantage of ya," Auntie Jessie replied sternly. "You will be paid an hourly wage, along with a wage for your reporting that I myself will put in yer savings account."
I started to say something, but my aunt continued to talk.
"Yer main jobs will be to greet the customers and to check out their supplies. If there is no one in the store, then you will assist me with either cleaning or stocking the inventory."
"Auntie Jessie, what will Daddy say?" I asked, finally getting a word in.
"Yer daddy fully supported ya workin' for me," Auntie Jessie answered with a grin. "I already asked him while ya were in school."
"And what about Uncle Buzz?" I asked. "Doesn't he work in the store, also?"
"Until his next assignment, Buzz is workin' all tha way in Weatherford," Auntie Jessie explained. "Since he's such an expert in space travel, he thought he'd put those gifts to use at that space museum over there."
"Auntie Jessie, that is a three-hour ride!" I replied, almost yelling in shock. "How does he manage that every day?"
"He has those rockets that Cornelius modified. He loves it when he travels in style. The kids especially love it when he lands in front of them. Then they ask him all sorts-a questions asking if he really is an astronaut, and that's when he starts talking and giving them tours of the museum."
"Now wait, why don't we have a museum here?" I asked. "We could give the folks a history of our town."
"Alright, sweetie, say y'are Sheriff Woody," Auntie Jessie answered, giving me a scenario and clasping her hands together. "Would ya really want to explain to everyone that you were born in the late 1950s and look like y'are in your thirties? Would ya really want to explain that you were brought to life as a toy and somehow transformed into a human? You'd be Pinocchio – a fairy tale!"
I stared at my aunt for a while, realizing that she and my daddy could possibly be twins. If they had been born as humans, they'd either be at least 80 years old, or they'd be dead.
"I suppose you have a point, Auntie Jessie," I finally replied. "But does everyone age eventually?"
"We age ev'ry day, Justine," Auntie Jessie answered. "It's just a much slower process for us because we were once toys. We should be 80-something years old, but instead, yer Daddy and I are in our 40s."
"So, how old are you both, then?" I asked, the curiosity of my parents' past finally kicking in.
"In the show Woody's Roundup, yer daddy and I were both 22 years old, and we were made to be that same age as ragdolls. Our transformation started in 2013, just after yer daddy found yer mom."
"So you both were in your twenties in the 2010s," I replied, trying to do some mental math; my parents never spoke of their ages. My eyes widened when I realized their ages. "You and Daddy are 49 years old?"
Auntie Jessie rang the cowbell she was standing next to, indicating that I was correct.
"And Mother's the same age as Daddy," I continued. "So she's 49 also. So then how old is Buzz?"
"As astronauts go to space when they're young, Buzz was made to be 20."
"Which makes Uncle Buzz 47 years old."
"Bingo. And Justine, do not worry: yer parents being 49 while yer sixteen is normal. I know our situation is very unique, but we wouldn't change a thin'."
Auntie Jessie took a deep breath and exhaled.
"So, Justine, what do ya say about the job? You could also deliver supplies if needed."
"How long would I be working?"
"Ya'd come after school and then work until yer parents are ready to leave town," Auntie Jessie answered. "I promise ya will be taken care of."
"Then it's a deal," I answered, firmly shaking my aunt's hand.
"Yer daddy taught you to shake very well," Auntie Jessie complimented me with a satisfactory grin. "He's so darn proud of ya."
My parents and I enjoyed having steak and potatoes for dinner tonight while Chloe was enjoying the little pieces of steak that my daddy cut for her.
"Daddy, may I ask you a question?"
My daddy immediately put a smile on his face.
"Sure, Justine. What do you want to know?"
"Auntie Jessie told me a little of how y'all came to be and how old y'all are now. I was curious what it was like for you when you and Mother met all those years ago."
"Well, Justine, as you know I had been in Andy's family for so long, as long as I can remember," Daddy explained. "Molly had just been born, and she and Andy shared the bedroom. But Molly cried every night, and it broke every toy's heart. One day, your mother came in the room. Her lamp provided comfort for Molly because she was scared of the dark. Molly had sometimes put her hands on your mother's feet."
"I remember the day I first became alive," Mother chimed in with a smile. "Andy believed that me and my sheep were perfect damsels in distress. The first time he played with me, Mr. Potato-Head, or One-Eyed Bart as Andy dubbed him, had robbed a bank and I was told to be quiet or else my sheep would get run over. Well, your daddy saved the day and Andy made me kiss him."
I couldn't help but smile.
"Later that night, when the lamp was on and Molly and Andy both fell asleep, I walked over to the lamp and tried to introduce myself to your mother," Daddy continued. "But nothing happened. Your mother was a porcelain figure, so I had doubted that she could come alive. Just as I was about to call myself crazy for talking to her, your mother spoke to me."
"My first words to him were: 'Thank you for saving my sheep, Sheriff. My name is Bo Peep.' Your daddy gave me a tour around the room and it was love at first sight for me, thought I tried my hardest not to show it. I enjoyed hearing the passion of being Andy's favorite toy and he treated me like I was already a friend."
"I introduced her to everyone else the next morning when Andy and Molly weren't in the room," Daddy continued. "Everyone immediately took a liking to her. Mr. Potato-Head even teased me, asking if I liked her. I didn't understand what he was saying at first, because I answered, 'Yes, I like her.' But he emphasized the word like. I denied it at first."
"But then, Andy played the same scenario again. Daddy saved my sheep again, and so I thanked him."
"I said, 'hey, it was nothing' in the most cockiest voice I've ever had, and your mother suggested that someone else could watch her sheep tonight so we could spend some time together."
"Your daddy had the most sheepish laugh I had heard, but we got to know each other even more after Buzz came in the room. I started to learn who he truly was: a toy who cared deeply about his friends, despite his jealousy of Buzz. He's come a long way over the years, from being jealous of Buzz to being your daddy. He's still learning."
"So, when did you decide to get married?" I asked, still smiling with curiosity.
"Well, we founded the town of Elkhorn in 2015," Daddy started the story. "Your mother and I had already transformed into human beings and were looking for a place to settle down. We quickly realized that because we were human, we could actually get married and start a family."
"Daddy somehow learned to cook and cooked a roast at the place that would become our ranch," Mother continued. "He even found wine in a nearby store."
"I actually worked in that store for some time to earn money and eventually invest in that money so we could start to grow the town."
"We ate our dinner like we were having a picnic," Mother continued. "And your daddy had told me of his plans to build a house right where we were eating. I immediately started to daydream of having my own home to take care of my sheep and to take care of myself. Suddenly, I had turned toward your daddy and he was holding a ring."
"But it was no ordinary ring. I couldn't afford an engagement ring, so I made one out of vines from a willow tree and some cherry blossom petals. I told your mother, 'I've been wanting to ask you this question for years. I wanted to ask you before you were given away, and I wanted to ask you when I became a lost toy. Now, we're human beings with our own lives, and I would be so happy if we can spend our lives together as husband and wife. Will you marry me?'"
"And I happily said yes. We built the town and invited everyone we had reunited with to our wedding in 2018. I can't decide which was the bigger celebration: our wedding or your birth."
"So did you buy a wedding ring?" I asked my daddy. "Or did you make one?"
"Actually, Ken helped buy the rings for us," Daddy answered. "He had said we should have rings that would last for years and not rings that would wilt and die."
"However, I had my engagement ring made into a timeless masterpiece where it would never die," Mother chimed in. "It's in a glass band."
I continued to smile even after eating.
"How much did Jessie tell you of our past?" Daddy asked. "She must have told you enough for you to inquire about it."
"Well, I had suggested us having a museum in town, and she helped me realize why it was a bad idea. She told me to imagine myself as you and told me you both were 'born' in the 1950s."
"I was actually 'born' in the 1990s," Mother replied. "But Jessie was right to tell you about our past. I'm actually glad we had this conversation. I hope we gave you some more insight to who we are and why we're here."
"You did."
I paused, as another thought came to my mind.
"But wait, now I was actually born as a human, right? Does that mean I age just like regular people, or do I age like you two?"
"You would age like a normal human being," Daddy answered. "Which means you would age faster than your mom and I would. But I wouldn't worry about that yet."
"Your daddy's right," Mom assured me. "You're only sixteen. You've got your whole life ahead of you! And who knows? The three of us might look like we're brother and sisters someday!"
We laughed as we finished dinner, and I learned the lesson of accepting who I am today.