5: Inside the Mansion
The front door was open to relieve the heat. Jessie scurried inside, but Buzz, who had caught up to her, pulled her back. "Jess!" He hissed. "You can't just run inside other people's houses!"
"…I want to be a scientist when I grow up." Said a voice. Buzz and Jessie dove behind a nearby box. Andy and Maxie came into the room. "I think I want to study animals, but I'm not sure." Said Andy. He sat down next to the door. "Are any of your other toys unpacked yet?"
Buzz leaned out from behind the box. He could see Maxie was holding Woody now, looking him over. "Not yet." She pulled the string.
"Giddy up partner!"
"Cool!" She smiled, hugging the doll. "I like him!"
"Kids, time for lunch!" Called Maxie's mom. "I made braunscheiger sandwiches!"
"What's that?" Asked Andy. Maxie grinned and dropped Woody on the floor.
"Come on! It's really good!" She grabbed his hand and the two new friends ran into the kitchen.
For a minute all was still. Then, Woody sat up. He called, "Ok you two weasels. I know you're behind there."
"Ya wanna to come out with our hands up?"
Woody put his hands on his hips. "I want to know why you two snuck out of the house!" Buzz walked out from behind the box.
"Hi there, Sheriff." He said, guilt in his voice.
"Yeah, hi." Said Woody. "What is going on?"
Buzz sighed. "It's a long story." Neither friend noticed Jessie crawling out of the room on her belly.
"So anyway," Said Maxie's mother. "I decided that Newark had too many bad memories and that what I really wanted to raise my children where I grew up. The Tri-County area is such a great place to bring up a family, and it has so many nice schools."
Mom sipped her Kool-aide. "I know how hard it can be to start over."
Jessie slithered into the kitchen and then behind a plastic bag temporarily serving as a garbage can.
"Fauna," Said Maxie's mom. "Eat your sandwich."
"Mom, I already told you I'm a vegetarian now!"
Down on the floor, Jessie peered out from behind the bag. "Emily," She whispered. "Is it really you?"
The two adults continued talking about the Tri-County area and how wonderful it was. As they began to laugh over something, the woman's face became youthful, showing what she looked like so many years ago. Jessie now knew for certain the woman sitting before her was indeed her Emily.
"Oh, Emmy!" She said, her voice choking. "I thought I'd lost you forever!"
Suddenly someone grabbed her from behind.
Jessie shrieked in surprise and fear. Buzz put a finger to his lips. "Shush!"
Angrily, she punched Woody in the shoulder. "What's the matter with you grabbing a 'body from behind like that? You scared me half to death!"
Woody rubbed his upper arm. "Ow!" Quickly he guided his two friends towards the front door. "You guys gotta get out of here before you're seen!"
Buzz grabbed Jessie's hand. "Let's go, Jess!" He felt the tiny hand slip out of his large masculine one and turned. "What's wrong?"
Jessie stood with her arms crossed. "That woman…"
"Yeah?"
"She's my owner."
"Come on Jessie," Said Buzz. "You thought that Maxie was your owner before. What makes this any different?"
She shook her head and turned. "I just know. The sound of her laughter, that little dimple that's off kilter…She even crosses her legs the same way."
Woody stepped forward. "Even if this person is Emily, what difference does it make now?"
"You just don't get it!" Jessie burst out angrily. "Emily's my owner! I'm her toy! I have to be with her!"
Buzz and Woody looked at each other. "What about Andy and Molly?" Asked Buzz quietly.
"They got plenty of toys." Said Jessie. "But Emily's mine. I can't lose her again." Her voice cracked. "Never again."
Buzz put his hands on his girlfriend's shoulders. "Jessie, you're confused. Let's just go home and…"
The Cowgirl broke away. "No! I'm staying here! With my owner! She's the only thing that matters now." Leaning down, she kissed Buzz on the cheek. "Goodbye, Partner." And with a sob, she ran out of the hall into a backroom.
