2: New Neighbors
The day soon turned hot; the weatherman declared a heat wave. Buzz sat in front of the TV (Off of course. No TV while Andy and family were in the house.) working a maze from a book of puzzles.
A red head popped up on the desk. Grinning, she pulled the rest of herself up and joined the Space Ranger.
Wrapping her arms around him, she said, "Whatcha working on, Partner?" He smiled and showed her the book.
"'Big Book O'Fun.'" She read the title. "That's nice."
"Not as nice as some things." Buzz answered. She blushed a little, but it disappeared when Buzz put his arm around her and pulled her close. He puckered his lips and leaned towards her.
A horn sounded and Jessie jumped up. "People!" She cried jubilantly. Buzz toppled over and found himself kissing the desk.
Jessie was already at the window. "Lookitlookitlookit!" She cried. "A movin' van! Someone's movin' in across the street!"
"Into that dump?" Woody said as he pulled himself up on the desk. He stepped over Buzz. A crowd of toys joined them.
The crumbling Victorian style house was almost one hundred and fifteen years old. Boards covered half of its windows, and weeds were growing everywhere, even through the front porch! While the other houses in the neighborhood had been torn down and rebuilt to accommodate the changing times, the three-story mansion had stayed untouched, thanks to a group of blue haired ladies that called themselves, "The Tri-County Historic Society." In front of the house was an orange and white truck with the words "Eggman Movers" on the side.
Woody frowned as he looked through Lenny. "That eyesore should have been torn down years ago."
"I think it's purdy," Said Jessie. "All it needs is a fresh coat of paint!"
"Why would anyone want to live there?" Woody said. "It's a mess."
Bo stood by him. "They're probably going to renovate it."
"Naw," Said Jessie, leaning forward and resting her arms on the sill. "They're probably gonna fix it up and paint it, add some electricity…" Bo pulled Jessie's hat down over her face. "Where'd everybody go?"
Mr. Potato Head pushed his way to the front of the crowd. "Well, do they have any kids or not?"
"Hold on now, lemme see." Woody twisted Lenny towards a Champagne colored Mercedes SUV that pulled behind the truck.
Buzz leaned past his friend and pointed as the movers unloaded the truck. "I see a kid sized bicycle!"
Cheers went up. New kids in the neighborhood meant new friends for Andy to play with. And new friends meant new toys to meet.
"Ok, they're getting out now." Said Woody. "I see a mother, no father though. Hmmm. Two kids, both girls. Sulky teenager, too old for Andy to play with. The other one is about seven or eight."
Jessie roughly pushed the cowboy aside. "Quit hogging the view!" She ordered as she grabbed Lenny. She focused on the teen. "Think that kid has enough piercings?" She laughed and turned her attention to the younger sister. "Gosh darn it, kid's got her back turned! I can't see her face!" The little girl was chewing on a nail and holding a stuffed polar bear. Her mother called to her and she suddenly turned.
Jessie shrieked and dropped Lenny. "No! It can't be!" She cried. "It's impossible!"
"What?" Woody picked up Lenny. "What's wrong?"
"Jess, what did you see?" Asked Buzz. Jessie just shook her head and backed away from the throng. She turned and leaped off the desk. There was a thud and a painful grunt as she landed on her knees.
"Hey, are you ok?" Called Buzz as he and the other toys leaned over the side. "What's going on?"
Without saying anything, Jessie picked herself up and ran towards the door.
"Jessie, come back!" Called Bo. She looked at Woody and Buzz, her face reflecting their puzzlement and concern. "What do you think she saw?"
"I don't know," Said Buzz, climbing onto the chair then dropping to the floor. "But I'm going to find out."
