You Make Me Happier Than Joy

Meeting Some Bobbies

Authors Note: Outfit worn is above :)

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Once we finally got to the house I was quite relieved. I was tired from the entire travel process, waking up early, and the people of this town. Not that they're bad from what I've gathered so far. Just a bit weird they're all wearing masks and hearing everything about this 'Joy' thing? Don't know, and right now I don't give a shit. Seeing Auntie May brought a bunch of emotions at once; granted she's a fighter till death, and possibly even after that. But she's much weaker than I thought. She, by all means isn't going to break at the touch, she's more of the 'she's getting old and if she were to fall she'd be in a world of bad'. In simple terms, at least. She's gotten slower at walking, more of a leisurely pace is where she's at right now. Granted the last time I say her she was much younger and could walk faster, but she isn't the whole stereotypical slow old woman with a walker speed.

The three of us got to talking about what I've been doing in the States, and how life has been over here as well over dinner. Which lead to the discussion of the town, the works, and Joy: what it is, what it's for, and how Auntie May and Uncle Tom have been cheating the system. How to avoid the Doctors if I don't have Joy in my system, and who they are. It was a simple little chat, they weren't trying to spook me or make it sound extremely malicious. They were perfectly content living here, they just wished that people could remember the past - even if it was slightly bad. A loved one could go missing or pass away, and the Joy would make them forget about that person because it could make them unhappy. I, personally, think that is one big pile of bullshit. Granted I was a child when the War was going on, I wasn't here where it was happening. I can understand why they'd implement a happy pill.

"I don't know why they didn't jus' throw us some crates o' Scotch and Brandy! That's all the Irish, Scots, and English need!" Uncle Tommy said as he put his cup of water down.

"Now, Tom! As much as we folk love us a pint, we can't just drown in beer and booze!" Auntie May said with a groan like this isn't the first time he thought of this great plan.

"I think it's a great idea Uncle Tommy" I said hiding an grin that matched his, looking from Auntie May to Uncle Tom.

"Ya see! Sweet Pea agrees with me!" Uncle Tom laughed.

"Oh, yeah! You're just lucky she takes pity on the dumb and ugly" Auntie May chuckled before taking a bite of meatloaf. Uncle Tom looked at Auntie May, mouth open with a fake hurt gasp. He looked at me, back to her, back to me again and pretended to grab his heart like he got shot. "Ooufff! Got me right where it matters - my feelings! Tough crowd, tough crowd" he laughed, his eyes reflecting his laughter and joy. Some time later, after dinner, dessert, and spending time with each other we all grew tired. It was almost 10:30 at night. As we were all making ready to go to bed Auntie coming up to me in the room they gave me, "Don't forget Sugar, we're going out tomorrow and I'm showing you around while your uncle is at work. Dress cutesy, there's some Bobby's that might catch your eye" she said with a wink and sly grin at the end.

"Oh Auntie May!" I laughed, "I don't think I'm going to find my future hubby tomorrow. And what's a Bobby?"

"Oh dearie, a Bobby is..." she left on a pause, just looking at me with a grin.

"A Bobby is?"

"....Your future courter!"

"Auntie May!"

"MAYBE not your husband" Auntie May said with a chuckle, "but he could be your future date!"

"Okay Auntie May, whatever you say" I smiled, giving her a good-nights hug and kiss on the cheek.

"I'm being serious, girly" she said pulling back from our hug and looking at me with her bright green eyes, "you're dressing like a little fox tomorrow!"

This woman was gonna be the death of me! "Auntieeeee!!" I said in shock while laughing.

"What?! That's it, we're going to pick you an outfit right now Missy!"

And that was how we spent the next two hours, the two of us trying to settle on what I was going to wear tomorrow. Uncle Tom came in after the first half hour passed, but lost the battle of trying to convince Auntie May to come to bed.

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The next morning we did exactly as we planned, we woke up, and ate breakfast. As Uncle Tom locked the front door Auntie May took my arm. Uncle Tom and Auntie May kissed each other goodbye before he started walking down the street, Auntie yanking me to go the other way.

"Where to first?" I asked smiling down at Auntie May, who is even shorter now that I am wearing heels.

"We're going to the bakery! I want you to try this one type of bread they have, it's absolutely splendid!" Auntie May said getting excited.

I mean I would be excited talking about food too, food is a common exciter in the family. We started talking about different recipes for different types of goods - cakes, pies, doughnuts, strudels, and everything a doctor would tell you to eat a carrot in place of sweet savory goodness. I felt a bit out of place walking with Auntie, I was the only person I've seen without a mask. Not that I was really wanting of one, but I am pretty sure it made it that much more easier to figure out that I'm new. We walked slower than the average creepy masked person, but we both enjoyed walking and talking at our own pace, not rushing to go do something like most people, even here, do. Auntie May was stopped by a person on each street it seemed, only for a brief amount of time thank God. She always introduced me as "My Sugar, she's 'ere from the States!" and sometimes forgetting to introduce me with my actual name. It was kind of refreshing, meeting new people. Seeing new faces. But by all means if Auntie May wasn't here I probably wouldn't have said a single word other than a simple "Hello" or "Morning". It's not that I don't like talking to people, I just simply don't like people at all.

Once we reached the bakery I said a silent prayer. Because not only was it not busy at all, but we couldn't be ambushed on the streets by people wanting conversations. Auntie May bought some of the bread she was talking about and some ingredients before we decided to go wander the town a bit. Once noon time came around we went to a small cafe and got lunch. We sat outside so we could say we could look at how beautiful everything is. But in all reality, it was to people watch. Such complicated creatures we are. While we were eating, Auntie May was about to take a bite of her pasty when she spotted something behind me, kind of. Her 1 o'clock and my 7 o'clock in case you're wondering.

"Oooh! Looks like you might have a few admirers!" she smiled with glint in her eyes.

"Auntie May!" I said putting my hands on each side of my face to hide my embarrassment.

With a whole-hearted chuckle Auntie May replied, "Oh Sugar, just take a little gander"

So decided maybe a little look wouldn't hurt, the accents here are pretty sexy for the most part. I took my hands off of my face, giving Auntie a little glare of 'why are you doing this to me?' which only made her laugh. 'Well'  I thought, 'here goes nothing' as I took a sip from my tea, looking over to where Auntie was. I almost inhaled my tea, but I opted for casually looking back to Auntie May. Figured it'd be more healthy for my lungs instead of inhaling my drink. But hey, I'm no doctor.

"Like wha' you see, Sugar?!" Auntie May beamed, leaning closer to me.

"Oh hush now!" I said smiling back.

"Then why are you blushin' Sweet Pea?" she said victoriously.

"I don't know, what you're talking about Auntie?" I said taking a drink of my tea, crossing my legs, and looking at a shop sign. Being overly dramatic on purpose to be sarcastic when I knew exactly what she was talking about. She's gonna be the death of me, that old woman.

"Maybe you should go talk to one of 'em?"

"Noooooo! I have a hard enough time speaking in general Auntie May" I chuckled.

"Well..." she said buttering a piece of toast, "...looks like you may not have a choice. They're walkin' down this way, maybe they'll stop and chat a bit?" finishing with a her mischievous grin. Oh God, please don't put me through this socially awkward hell.