8:

The barbecue was underway within twenty minutes. The smell of pork steaks, sizzling on the grill as Mom painted them with sauce, rode the wind past the humans and into house.

Jessie had her face plastered to the window in the main room. "Just…one…little…piece…" She almost drooled.

"Jess, get down from there before you're seen!" Woody reprimanded crossly. Reluctantly, Jessie pulled her face away from the glass and hopped off the sill. "But it smells so goooood!" She whined, her fists clenched to her chest as she stomped her feet lightly. She pulled down the brim of her hat with both hands. "And she's putting mesquite sauce on them and…and cloves and just a little tiiiiiny bit of mustard powder…"

"Jessie, you're going to drive yourself crazy." Bo smiled as she sat on the couch. She was reading the same magazine from earlier.

Woody chortled. "Yeah, too late." He walked over to the couch and pulled himself up. "Whatcha reading anyway?"

"An article about Hina Matsuri."

"Hina what now?"

"Hina Matsuri." Bo repeated. "The Japanese Festival of Dolls."

"Oh." Woody looked at the pictures over her shoulder. The dolls were dressed in traditional Japanese clothing and were seated on seven platforms. Many held fans or flowers. "You know," He smiled and put his arm around her. "If you were there, you'd be the prettiest of them all."

Bo blushed. "Stop it!"

"No, I mean it!" He laughed nervously. "Your face is all red."

"Yours is too."

"Sweet Pecan Pie!" Jessie groaned, back at the window. "She's putting Italian seasonings on them! Italian!"

"Jessie, get down!" Woody yelled.

"Well I can't help it!" Jessie snapped as she turned around. "I'm a sucker for the smell of roasted pig!" Her eyes became distant. "All pink and hot with the juice dripping off it onto the coals..."

She suddenly eyed Hamm on the floor beneath her. She licked her lips and sang, "Oh Hamm…"

"Nuh uh!" Hamm turned his fat body around and scurried away. "You keep away from me, you crazy version of Annie Oakley!"

Jessie jumped off the windowsill and ran after him. "Get back here, Lunchmeat!"

Bo raised her eyebrows. "Should we stop her?"

"Nah," Woody shook his head. "She's just messing around."

"Come on Hamm, I'm not gonna hurt ya! I just wanna chew on ya for while!"

"No!"

"Anyway," Woody continued, ignoring them. "You wanna take that midnight stroll tonight?"

"Hmm…" Bo put down the magazine. "I guess."

"You guess?"

"I don't know Woody," Bo lamented. "I just don't feel you're being honest with me. About you and Barbara. If there was once something between you."

"Bo, look at me." Woody took her hand. "There was nothing between me and Barbara. Never. Ok?"

"Woody, if there was, I want you to be honest with me..."

"I am." Woody bent his head close to hers, so her bangs touched his forehead. "There was nothing…"

"Hello?" Someone called. Woody stood up and walked over to the arm of the couch. He pulled himself up so he could see better.

"Barb?"

She waved. "Hey, Woody. Can I see you in the kitchen in a few? I wanna talk to you."

"Well…I…" He watched her walk away. "Ok." He turned around. Bo's face looked tumultuous.

"Well?"

"Well…what?"

"Well, what does she want to talk to you about?"

Woody shrugged haplessly. "I don't know."

Bo stood up and put the magazine under her arm. "Don't know…or won't tell?" She climbed off the couch.

"Wait!" Woody jumped down after her. "Honest Honey, I don't know what she wants!"

She turned. "Do you?"

"Huh?"

"Do you know what you want?" She repeated.

"Yes! I want you!" Woody grasped her shoulders. "And just you!"

"Ooooh…" Chorused the other toys, who were listening in, causing Woody to jump.

He scowled at them. "Guys, could you give us some privacy please? For once?"

"Touchy, touchy..." Hamm muttered as he and the other toys began to disperse.

Woody turned back. "Bo, please. Don't be jealous…"

"I'm not jealous!" Bo snapped. "I'm mad! And not at Barbara, I think she's a nice girl. I'm mad at you!"

"Me?" Woody pointed to himself as she walked past him to the stairs. "What I'd do?"

She turned. "You've been acting like a chicken with your head cut off ever since you found out she was here!"

"Bo, I'm sorry…"

"So am I. You need to figure out your feelings before I do anything with you on this trip!"

Woody watched her climb the stairs. "I know how I feel!" He called after her.

"Good, then act like it!"

Woody stared after her as she disappeared. Then he sighed and walked to the kitchen. It was time to end this.