"This sucks Toby." Happy complained bitterly as she sat in the tire swing and Toby leaned against the trunk of the tree.
"I know it does. I'm part of this, remember?" Toby smiled.
"Then why are you smiling?" Happy demanded as he stood there quiet. Happy rolled her eyes as he wouldn't answer her. "Why are normals so…difficult?" Happy asked. "No matter what I do, everyone besides my family that I deal with, that is less than 140 IQ, is so frustrating. And 140 to about 150 are so stuck up over what they think their IQ means."
Toby chuckled.
"Don't just laugh damn it." Happy growled at him.
"Happy, it is a little funny. And sadly, that is kind of the problem between us and them. Geniuses gravitate to other geniuses of the same caliber." Toby tossed the small twig he had before he squatted down. "We find it easier to be with those more like us because we understand each other better. We think faster, we need to be challenged mentally by our partner."
"Just wonderful. So if I want a deeper relationship with someone, I have to go through three years of just being friends with you, Walter and Sylvester. Or hope some boy my age with a high enough IQ drops out of the clouds and into my lap." Happy shook her head. "So if your theory is correct, how does that explain Walter and Paige?" Happy asked as she looked at Toby.
Toby looked off into the distance.
"That's a tough one to crack to be honest." Toby told her as he picked up a small pebble and tossed it. "Part of it is Walter's white knight syndrome, with how he rescued Paige when she was in trouble and risked everything for her. But it all was part of a perfect storm. They both needed a friend, desperately. But Paige's nature instantly subdued Walter's EGO. Walter's mind runs wide open all the time. You and I can't even begin to keep up with him, I doubt anyone can. You should see him on those gambling cruises. I haven't said anything but as impressive as it is, he's scary. His brain was calculating things beyond anything I've seen. He was aware of who was and who wasn't security. His predictive models for what is to be dealt and held by others is phenomenal." Toby picked up a pebble.
"And it really wears him out, but Paige makes his mind slow down. She soothes and calms him, she was able to make it possible for his emotional side to grow. And what's more, he enjoys slowing down with her, to help her with whatever she needs. There are so many things about them that make them perfect for each other." Toby threw the pebble after the twig.
"Just like the Dineens were perfect for me?" Happy asked softly.
Toby smiled as he looked back up at her.
"Exactly. They found you at the perfect time and together you've come back from the edge. I've filled several notebooks with my thoughts and conclusions about you and your relationship with the Dineens. If it hadn't been for Ralph's sister Jo, you'd have led a miserable life for a long time. You probably would have ended up in a halfway house by twelve until you aged out of the system. By then you would have been so angry and frustrated, it wouldn't have been pretty. You would have avoided people, maybe hooking up for one night stands, all to avoid being hurt by someone again…It wouldn't have been good. You'd have missed the chance to go to college and demonstrate just how amazing you truly are. Don't get me wrong, you would have been brilliant, you just wouldn't have done what you have done in this life. Like college. You wouldn't trust anyone, you'd have one foot out of the door, with a bag packed of the things you really needed, no matter where you are." Toby sighed as he threw another pebble.
"You not meeting the Dineens means I wouldn't have met you and my life would be a mess, or probably over, when the bookie was going to kill me. I wouldn't have a great position with the hospital, wouldn't have you as my best friend or Walter and Paige as friends. If I was alive, I'd be drinking still, gambling even more recklessly." Toby sighed before he grew quiet.
As Toby hadn't continued after a minute, Happy decided to tell him about something.
"I never told you about something that happened to us back in 2001. Mom and Dad thought it was best if we didn't speak of it outside of the family." Happy told him.
"What?" Toby looked up puzzled but highly curious.
It took a few minutes before Happy spoke and then told him about the time Paige from another universe ended up in Callan.
Toby had looked off into the distance again while listening.
"But the thing is, when they were talking quietly with her, because I had been so focused on Walter and helping build the quantum bridge they didn't think I really heard them. But I had just silenced the alarm on my watch, so I wasn't completely back into the quantum bridge. This other Paige revealed that in her universe, you and I had been dating and you proposed to me. We were engaged to be married." Happy told him trying to see his face.
"Toby." Happy said softly.
"Don't say it." Toby shook his head.
"Why?" Happy asked.
"Because you are underage. We can't go there. We either have to be content with what we have or we have to stop being friends face to face." Toby said softly.
"Don't you know what it meant to me for you to be my date at the Christmas ball? I've hated those things every year I've had to go to them. I'd rather have a root canal without anesthesia. But you made a world of difference over it for me. I was truly happy about being there." Happy told him.
"Of course I do." Toby looked down at the ground.
"Look at me Toby." Happy said.
Toby reluctantly looked up at her.
"You know this is all a fallacy, I'm fifteen this February, sixteen the year after you know." Happy explained.
"No Happy." Toby shook his head. "I don't care if Massachusetts says you can consent to a sexual relationship with me, it isn't happening. We can't cross that line…not…yet. I am not going to advance our relationship against your parents' wishes. Besides, you may find a boy your own age between now and then anyway."
"So you are willing to throw away the happiness we can have together, like in that other universe?" Happy asked.
"No, not in the slightest. But we can't let what happens between us be guided by what might or might not have happened in another universe. Maybe we are that way in that universe, but we could be bitter enemies in another universe. We can't rush what is developing between us. I don't want to possibly lose anything from you, but we need to keep being just friends for now." Toby sighed. "Even if that means that one or both of us might find someone else in the meantime."
"Fine." Happy said angrily before she flew out of the swing and walked quickly towards the house.
"Sweetheart?" Veronica said as Happy stormed through the back door of the kitchen and on into the house. She saw Toby still by the tree where he usually stood when they talked outside.
Veronica adjusted the flame to a low simmer as she saw Toby finally turn and walked to his car. She followed after Happy since she didn't stop or respond. She could hear Happy running up the stairs as she walked through the dining room.
"Happy?" Veronica said as she knocked on her door.
"It's open." Happy said bitterly.
"Sweetheart?" Veronica said as she was coming through the door and then closing it. "What's going on?" Veronica asked as she moved up and sat on the side of Happy's bed.
Happy shook her head.
"Baby, I'm your Mother, you can trust me. Talk to me. Don't shut me out like Paige did." Veronica smiled as she reached out and ran her fingers through Happy's hair.
"Why couldn't I have been born normal? Why do I have to be this…this…thing? Why do I have to have this ability that grants me better understanding than most adults but I still have to obey stupid laws meant for kids?" Happy cried.
Veronica smiled as her head tilted to the side.
"Sweetheart, you aren't a thing. I don't know why you got this gift, but I thank God for it and you every day." Veronica said as a tear ran down her face.
"It's not fair." Happy cried.
"Life isn't fair sweetheart." Veronica pulled Happy forward and hugged her. "And this just shows you that even though you are gifted so much, you still aren't ready for what is to come. That's why you have to obey the rules our society has in place."
Happy's head shot up as she frowned.
"Was it fair that I lost two children because of an ectopic pregnancy?" Veronica asked her.
Happy shook her head.
"But we have to accept those things that aren't fair and keep moving. That's one of the secrets to life, kiddo." Veronica told her as she hugged her back into her arms. "We face the challenge and we do our best to overcome it."
"But even though next year when I turn sixteen, society says I can consent to a relationship with anyone, even sexual. But Toby still won't accept letting our relationship grow closer." Happy complained. "Meanwhile Paige gets the perfect guy for her, dropped into her lap at the age of twelve and begins an adult relationship with him at fifteen."
"What's my choice? Waiting until I'm at least eighteen, if even then? Would Toby be interested? Or will he be with someone else? Outside of my circle of six, no one else here accepts me as I am. I run circles around graduate students. I can see problems a hundred times faster than anyone but Walter. They won't even grade me on the curve with everyone else. They brag how I will destroy it. I sit alone in classes because I'm already so far beyond them. Sure my professors are excited and love what I'm capable of, but I don't get much time with them. The few kids my age that come to MIT for advanced classes think I'm some kind of freak and show off. And they have higher than normal IQs. Even the geniuses I work with on Walter's self-driving cars are intimidated by my intelligence. If it wasn't for Paige sitting in the meetings, they'd probably be pushing for me to be terminated. I'm just so alone Mom." Happy cried.
"Oh my baby." Veronica said as she cried with her. "This is one of the things I worried so much about, when it comes to you years ago. Moving you up in schools. Remember all our talks?"
Happy nodded.
"It wasn't because I thought you were incapable of the work, sweetheart. I worried how it would affect your ability to be friends with others. And for the most part you've been very happy. But now, you've had your first taste of being part of a couple with Jeremy, plus all the normal growing changes you're going through. I'm afraid I haven't done a very good job preparing you for this." Veronica sighed.
"Don't say that!" Happy said as she sat back. "You've been the best Mother. No one could come close to you and I am so thankful for everything you've done and given to me."
"Maybe, but I still didn't do this very well. I don't know what we can do sweetheart. We can't give you permission to date Toby, he's too old, for now. If it is meant to be, then you'll both be single when the moment comes. But you shouldn't be limiting yourself to him just because he accepts you as you are. Maybe we can try and look into Mensa, see if they have a program for younger geniuses." Veronica said as a sort of question.
"Well it isn't that I'm limiting myself because he accepts me. I do have some feelings for him too." Happy finally admitted.
Veronica smiled and stroked her hair.
"I'll talk to your Father and see if he has any ideas. If anyone does, it would be him." Veronica sighed. "My sweet Happy, I love you so much kiddo." Veronica smiled.
"I love you too Mom." Happy smiled and then hugged her. "Thanks for being my Mom and coming to talk to me."
"Thanks for being my daughter. And I'm always here for you." Veronica told her as she reached up and stroked her cheek.
"Paige, was something bothering Happy at dinner?" Walter asked as he sat coding.
Paige was writing on her laptop and didn't respond.
"Paige?" Walter said a bit louder after a minute.
"Walter?" Paige frowned as she looked over at him.
Walter smiled.
"I'd asked if something was bothering Happy at dinner." Walter told her.
"Oh." Paige removed her computer glasses. "Yes." Paige sighed as she looked across the table at him. "Jeremy called the hospital and made up a bunch of allegations against Toby to get back at her. So Dad's been trying to unsnarl what has happened."
"Huh…That doesn't seem too bad. I mean, I realize why that would upset her, but Dad can fix that in his sleep." Walter smiled.
Paige laughed.
"Probably. But it got the four of them talking and then she tried talking to Toby alone. I guess she is feeling the strain of growing up and not really having many options in the way of a boyfriend. She finally admitted to Mom she has feelings for Toby." Paige told him.
"I know what it is like to feel alone, with minimal outside support." Walter nodded. "But then I got blessed with you and your parents. Now my life is amazing."
Paige grinned and leaned across the corner of the table. Walter leaned in and they kissed.
"You know, Ben on the design team for Richard's space rocket has a son about Happy's age." Walter told her. "I believe he's even taking advanced classes at Cambridge College."
"Well, it might be an idea…but how are you going to introduce them without it seeming like you are putting them together?" Paige asked.
Walter scratched his chin for a moment. Walter snapped his fingers.
"I was working on an idea the other day." Walter smiled.
"Walter, you are always working on an idea." Paige teased him as she grinned.
"Well true but this was about the current throttle designs for rocket engines. I could invite him over for a family dinner, if Mom and Dad would be okay with it. He could bring his wife and son and that way it is just a meal with shop talk to follow as I run my idea by him." Walter smiled.
Paige grinned and leaned in and kissed him again.
"That sounds like a great idea Walter." Paige winked.
Greetings! I hope this finds you all well!
LouBe - hehe Yep, Jeremy...he was something. Glad you enjoyed it! Ralph really is looking forward to them getting married. Ralph did give Walter a bit of grief early on, chapter 3. Veronica didn't let him give him too much though. lol You know, I only worked 1 place that had a local HR and they were exactly how you describe them. The woman in charge of the office was a nice enough person personally, but as an HR person, just eww. Being a diplomat seems to be something Ralph was born to do! hehe I don't blame you for reading both before responding. That part of Ralph is like what my Dad was like, he could be dropped into the middle of strangers and he'd begin chatting away and building bridges to them. I on the other hand would scoot over to a corner and talk to an animal or plant. lol Well thank you! It is difficult to try and say something without saying something about it! lol
Yeah, hopefully it is just his age making him act so irresponsible, otherwise the Bottoms have got their hands full with Jeremy. There's a lot to be upset with Jeremy over, so, no problem! lol As of late July in the story the Muse has not said so directly, but...Happy said challenge accepted! But this isn't over yet, so, stay tuned for more fireworks! Thank you, glad you enjoyed my fancy foot work! lol And now Happy has revealed what she's been thinking about...*sigh*
Chipbass - Thank you brother! Glad you enjoyed it! Jeremy indeed showed himself out the door. lol Oh man...Happy...If I hadn't have had any grey hair before writing this section of the story, I'd have a ton of it now! lol Happy really seems to be revving her engine.
Champagne42 - So happy you enjoy my little family here! Hopefully they don't come across too "perfect".
Pearliegirl - *laugh* Glad you okay now! Onward to the Adventure indeed! So glad you enjoyed it! You're welcome!
To the Adventure! -Tim