CHAPTER THREE
In the aforementioned unremarkable two-story house in Dimmsdale (mentioned in Chapter 1), a familiar sound of terrified screaming emanated from within. The screaming was coming from that same ten-year old boy wearing a pink baseball hat we all know named Timmy Turner.
"Aaaaaahhhhh!", Timmy screamed as he bolted into his room, slamming and locking his door behind him. He looked disheveled and while his clothes this time were not in tatters, his face was covered in lipstick kiss marks.
"I'm going to need a tetanus shot!" he exclaimed as he grabbed a towel and wiped his face clean of Tootie's kiss marks.
The school day was not a pleasant one for him. After the interminable drive to school in Tootie's parents car (after ensuring that Vicky got to her school before Mrs. Flannigan could run her down), Mr. Flannigan let them both out.
"Have a good day at school you two," he said, then added, "I hope to hear that you are taking good care of my precious daughter, Timmy. I'll pick both of you up after school".
Timmy gulped. Tootie grinned and pulled out her Timmy-Tracker.
"We're going to have so much fun, Timmy!" she crooned, little love hearts popping around her head, "See you at recess".
"How did this happen?" Timmy thought to himself. He had hoped that Tootie would not be hunting him as their parents would be doting on her instead of her being outside the house away from Vicky. He didn't think that they would be spoiling her in this way.
He had hoped to be able to avoid her at recess, but thanks to the Timmy-Tracker, she was hard on his heels. Timmy's classmates were having a good laugh at his discomfiture. Now Timmy was ruing his decision to keep Cosmo and Wanda home today.
His 'Plan-B' of trying to sneak out of school and avoid Mr. and Mrs. Flannigan didn't work either. Mr. Flannigan nabbed Timmy at the front entrance to the school and put him in his car.
"It was nice of your Dad to sign a consent form permitting us to take you to and from school from now on, Timmy," Mr. Flannigan said as he drove off, "Oh, and by the way, you and your family has been invited over for dinner tonight".
"But-But-But, I have lots of homework to do and chores…." Timmy tried to say, stunned at what Mr. Flannigan had mentioned about his parent's consent.
"Your parents have accepted the invitation, and more importantly, when your parents go out in future without you, There will be no more need of Vicky coming over to baby-sit you. You can come over to our house", Mr. Flannigan replied.
"Gulp!", Timmy swallowed. This was DEFINITELY not what he expected from the wish. So, while Tootie was clutching him and smooching him in the back of the car, Mr. Flannigan drove over to Dimmsdale High School, and waited for Vicky to ride out of school. Then he proceeded to tailgate Vicky at high speed, causing Vicky to pedal like mad to stay ahead. Mr. Flannigan had the look of rapture over inflicting payback on Icky Vicky.
When Mr. Flannigan let Timmy off outside his house, he couldn't wait to get inside, though not before hearing "See you for dinner at Six, Timmy", from Mr. Flannigan.
Now, back in his bedroom, he tried to forget about the creepy hugs and mushy kisses from Tootie. He called out, "Wanda! Cosmo!", but instead of seeing his fairies reappear, he head the following message in Cosmo's Voice.
"Hi, Timmy! This is a magical recording. Just wanted to let you know that after several anvils, I called Dr. Studwell – that's Doctor RIP Studwell – and he asked me to bring Wanda in for a check-up. I used your chocolate sundae as bait for the carry cage and we're off to Fairyworld to see if (a) Wanda's mood-swings can be controlled and (b) to find something to help my headache; those anvils are heavy! Until then, keep an eye out on Kevin and have a nice dayyyy".
"Oh great!" Timmy muttered to himself, "Not only is Tootie harassing me with the help of her parents, my Fairy Godparents aren't here to undo the wish!.
Just then he heard his parents walk up the stairs.
"Timmy," he heard his father say, "I'm both respecting your privacy by knocking but asserting my authority as your parent by coming in anyway!"
Timmy this time was faster than his father. He opened the door just as his dad ran into it with the battering ram. He went straight through the room and out through the open bedroom window.
"Ouch!", Timmy heard his dad say, "I don't know my own strength. A pity it's not helping me with this puzzle though". Timmy looked out the window to see his Dad trying (once again) to put a square peg in a round hole.
"Don't forget, dear," Mrs. Turner said as she walked up to Timmy and looked out of the window, "We're got the dinner engagement at the Flannigan's at six".
"Do we have to go, Mom?" Timmy pleaded.
"We don't have any friends, so this type of invitation is something that doesn't happen any day to us. Besides, they wanted to thank us for our hosting them that time their house burnt down", she explained, "Oh dear, I'd better go outside and help your father. He can be such a jidiot at times".
As Mrs. Turner left Timmy's room and headed downstairs, Timmy heard her call out, "Dear, you know that a square peg can't fit into a round hole. Try the triangular hole instead…"
Later that evening, the Turners were outside the Flannigan's house. Timmy immediately noticed that it looked a lot different. It seemed less foreboding. Perhaps the absence of the once-ubiquitous storm clouds helped….
"Welcome!" Mrs. Flannigan said after she opened the door. Showing them in, Timmy saw that the dinner table was nicely set up. The house was also very tidy. Timmy also noticed Mr. Flannigan sitting at the living room sofa pressing down on a remote control button, though it did not seem to be working on the TV. Just then, he heard an 'Ouch" coming from the kitchen. Timmy looked in and saw Vicky preparing the meal. She looked distressed, most probably because of the electric-shock ankle bracelet she now wore.
"Time to come to the table", Mrs. Flannigan announced.
"You can sit next to me, Timmy!" Tootie said happily, pulling out a chair. Timmy wanted to sit elsewhere, but all other seats were taken.
As they sat down, Mr. Flannigan stabbed down on the remote button again. With a "yelp", Vicky brought in the food.
"After you've done serving, Vicky", Mr. Flannigan said to her, "You can go out on your baby-sitting gig tonight, but don't forget the fifty-fifty arrangement". Vicky nodded quietly and served the food.
"Fifty-Fifty?" Timmy asked.
"Yes, Vicky was persuaded to help out with the family finances. For every Fifty Dollars she makes, we get Fifty Dollars".
"Wow, who can argue with that logic?" Mr. Turner replied.
After Vicky served the food, she excused herself and headed out. Timmy could not help but notice that where the keyhole used to be on the ankle bracelet, it now looked like it was welded in place.
"Don't forget to be nice to your charges tonight, Vicky", Mr. Flannigan said as he held up the remote.
Sullenly, Vicky nodded and left.
The food was delicious, but Timmy wasn't enjoying it much. It had more to do with Tootie putting her hand on his leg than anything else. While he loved seeing Vicky taken down a peg or two, Tootie's uninhibited affections was more than he could stand. But that wasn't the end of it yet.
"Timmy," Mrs. Turner said, "Tootie's Mom and Dad are coming with us to watch a movie. You'll be staying here with Tootie until we get back. After you've helped Tootie with the dinner dishes, you can have fun until we return".
"What can't I watch the movie with you?" Timmy blurted out, wide-eyed.
"Its not rated for you, Honey", Mrs. Turner said, "Besides, Mr. Flannigan insisted on you keeping Tootie company".
"Just think of all the fun we can have now that Vicky is out of the house, Timmy!" Tootie said happily. Timmy did not reply. This last shock had rendered him speechless. Here, alone, with Tootie! THAT just made his day!