The End

 Federal Agent Carol Danvers meets with Maisie Barnes. 

Carol:  Are you going to deny any of this?  Your family, their possible ties to organized crime?  I know the incident at the dam is not related to any of this, but I find it alarming that you've moved into town and cozied up to the mayor. 

Maisie:  I have nothing to do with my birth family.  I don't even know how my mother keeps getting my phone number to harass me every time she gets in trouble.  I suspect she was involved with the fire back in the day, but beyond that I know nothing about that place or those people.  And as for cozying up to the mayor, I've known Rose-Grace since I was a kid.  I'm only here because I promised Dionne I'd help with Helena House and I'll be gone as soon as my husband is stationed stateside.  You don't need to worry about me.  

Carol:  Just know you're cleared on this dam business, but I'm going to be watching you.

*****  

After Maisie leaves, Carol meets with a motley crew.  

Hank:  I don't believe we've met.  I'm Hank Higgins, realtor.

Gage: I'm a private investigator.  I hope this meeting has something to do with my job because I just keep hitting dead ends.  

Gage:  Good afternoon, Mrs. Smith.  I hope your presence means Agent Danvers is going to help me find your father.  

Pocahontas:  I wish you'd just leave that deadbeat lost.  We're all better off without him.

Hank:  What is she doing here?  All this time, you've been riding me to avoid her, and now you call us into the same meeting?  

  

Gage:  Why would she tell you that?  Why are you answering to a federal agent about anything?

Pocahontas: You had no problem not-avoiding me when you sold me and John our house.  

Carol: Cash Nedakh entered the Witness Protection Program.  As part of the deal, he insisted on being put in Barbieville.  You remember receiving flowers at your office for a while?  It was him, unaware that your mother had passed away.  He hoped to reunite with her.

Pocahontas: After leaving us for damn near twenty years?  Not a chance.  Me and Nakoma both would've fought that idea.  We saw what she went through after he took anything that wasn't nailed down.  (She realizes.)  Wait a minute... are you saying what I think you're saying?

Carol:  Hank Higgins is Cash Nedakh.  Not for much longer, though.  Turns out the dam was sabotaged by the very people we were hiding him from.  (To Hank)  You're being moved.  

Hank: You can't do that.  You need my testimony for -- 

Pocahontas:  (Redacted for language.  This is a PG13 blog.)  

Carol:  Losing your testimony might hurt the case, but you have proven such a liability that the program is ready to drop you.  This is your last chance.  (She turns to the PI)  Unfortunately, your client is one of the people we're hiding him from.  They followed you here. 

Gage:  Oops?

Once she's seen Pocahontas and Gage out, Carol fills Hank in on his new life.  A life far from Barbieville.

Hank:  It's just as well.  There's nothing here for me, with Kida gone. 

This concludes my "soap opera".  Maisie (and Charlotte Jackson) will continue their own stories at Our Toy Story on Facebook.  Maisie in "The Sons" and Charlotte in "Nearly Famous".  

Please see my previous post titled Changing Things Up.  I've already begun reorganizing and rearranging my doll area, which I'll continue to refer to as Barbieville even though that show's been cancelled.  Stay tuned!

For The Children Part Two

 At Sulu's Greenhouse 

Mattie: What happened at the lawyer's?  We all but ran home from school.  Almost forgot to get DD from the daycare, even!  

Bobby:  Is it a brother for me?!  Is it?! 

Sulu: I told Lynch she shouldn't make you go to school today, that you'd be too excited. (dramatic pause)  We're adopting a boy about Anakin's age.  His name is Rayford.  Bobby, he'll have to share your room, but I think you're close enough in age for that to work. 

Vivica: Me and Mattie could share.  Mattie even said it's okay. 

Sulu: You'll share with DD once she starts sleeping through the night.  No need to cram three people in one room.

Bobby: YAY I gots a new brother! 

Vivica: He's my new brother, too, you poopy head! 

Bobby: You already gots a brother - me! 

****

At The Tor, Charlotte and Batgirl are relaxing on the penthouse balcony.  Batgirl is telling her sister about a new cashier at the grocery when Charlotte's phone goes off.

Charlotte: I don't believe it!  Kayden agreed! 

Batgirl: He's giving you custody? 

Charlotte: Oh, no, I made an offer I thought he'd never accept.  My children can't get their money until they are 21 if I relinquish custody.  Well, if Billy passes away before then, you know.  I thought for sure he'd decline and my lawyer could use that against him as we went forward. 

Batgirl: I guess he does have motives besides the money.  

Charlotte: He's going to brainwash them and get the money then.

Batgirl: I know you were never particularly maternal and you only had them for Billy's sake, but you're so... distant.  With the internet and telephones, there's no reason you can't be part of their lives even from here. 

Charlotte: I don't know how to deal with kids.  You've seen me with yours. 

Batgirl: I can help you with that.  Just sign custody over and follow my advice.  By the time they're grown, Mary-Kate and Max will at least like you.  You don't want to end up like our mom, do you? 

Charlotte (angry): Don't you dare compare me to her.  She deserved everything she got.  Or didn't get. 

*****

Airport, somewhere west of Barbieville.

Malachi: Are you waiting for the Barbieville plane?  Me and my mommy are going to live there.

Rafe:  Yeah, I'm getting adopted by a family there. Do you know anyone there? 

Malachi: Just my grandparents and my uncle.  Are you an orphan?

Rafe (reading from his tablet):  Not no more.  I've got a new dad, a new mom, a brother, and three sisters. 

Malachi: Mommy!  This boy is going to live in our town!  Can he sit with us on the airplane? 

Diana: The plane has assigned seats, but maybe someone will trade if you ask nicely.  

Malachi: He said his new family is named Sulu.  Do we know anybody named Sulu? 

Diana (to Rafe): Adoption? (He nods) That's probably Hikaru - I can't imagine the parents adopting at their age.  They have to be in their sixties by now, if not older.  As I recall, they are very nice people.  

Malachi: Rafe's mommy and daddy went to heaven, just like my daddy, so he had to go live in the orphanage til somebody bought him. I'm happy this guy did, cause now I'm gonna have a friend as soon as we get there. 

Rafe: That's not really how it works, but I'm happy, too.  (winks at Diana) It sucks at the orphanage. 

Note to readers: Charlotte's kids live on Facebook page Our Toy Story - album Nearly Famous 

For The Children

Jimin starts his work day with checking e-mails, but it isn't long before his appointments start arriving.  

Jimin:  I have good news.  We have a prospect for you.  Take a look at the file and see what you think.

Lynch: A boy?!  Bobby will be thrilled.

Sulu (reading from the file):  We specified children of Asian heritage. It's nice to have the kid at least kind of look like us.  People can be so rude.  This boy is, what, Cheyenne?  Sioux?  

Jimin: He's Vietnamese by blood, but his parents taught at the reservation school.  

Lynch (to Sulu): Let me see that file.  

*****

Jimin barely gets the calls made from the Sulu case when his next client comes in.

Charlotte: You aren't going to believe this.  Kayden had extensive plastic surgery, for no apparent reason, and I'm pretty sure he dipped into Mary and Max's money to do it.  You have got to speed this up.  It's taken so long already.

Jimin: Mrs. Jackson, I've told you, none of the money belongs to any of your children or stepchildren.  Their father is still alive and the money is still tied up in his businesses. The only personal use money coming from Billy Senior is your personal allowance.  

Jimin: I sent our proposal to their lawyer - Kayden can have custody as long as, in the event of their father's death, the share of the inheritance intended for Mary goes into trust until Mary's twenty-first birthday.  Same deal with Max's share.

Charlotte: Kayden will never agree to that.  He only wants them for their money.  And to spite me.

Jimin: We will deal with his refusal when it happens.

*****

Before Jimin realizes the time, his lunch date arrives.

Bonnie: Don't tell me.  The Jackson case? 

Jimin: She's such a nightmare.  (glares at the fax machine) I'm still waiting for a response, but apparently her stepson has to discuss everything at length with his brothers before telling the lawyer what to do. 

Bonnie: How many brothers are there?

Jimin: The old man had two sons and adopted hers, so three adult.  The minors they're fighting over came along after the marriage.  Older boys think she married the guy for his money, but she seems genuinely fond of him.  

Bonnie:  Both sides think the other is after the kids' share of the money?  And Dad is still alive.

Jimin: If you want to call that living.  Poor dude is in a coma. 

*Charlotte's children live in the Facebook Page "Our Toy Story".  Album name is Nearly Famous.*

Lunch at Sunburst

 Note: COVID masks in Barbieville are invisible to readers. Charlotte's children live on the Facebook Page "Our Toy Story", album "Nearly Famous".

Batgirl: It's nice to have some time away from the kids.  I love them, but... 

Joe: I'm glad to be away from your sister. The kids we signed on for! 

Batgirl: I was including her as one of the kids. I really don't understand how she can be so immature. 

Joe: Takes after your folks? 

Charlotte: There you are! Why aren't you answering your phone? 

Batgirl (annoyed): I'm trying to enjoy a quiet lunch with my husband. Free of drama. 

Charlotte: They've brought Chris in on the case! First Uncle Grizzly Adams and now Chris! 

Batgirl: What did your lawyer say?

Charlotte: Same thing as always. Let the boys have my kids, just lock up the money. But I won't do it! They are mine and belong with me! Would you let your children go live with Joe's people?

Joe (jumps to his feet): There is no Joe's People.  My people became hers, and - God help me - hers became mine. That's what marriage is! And yes, if it was best for the kid, we'd let them live with relatives who loved them.

Batgirl: Joe...

Joe:  No, sweetheart, this needs to be said. (to Charlotte) If they've hated you from the start, it's your own fault. Billy considered Chris his son from the moment he married you, he even adopted the boy, and you never gave them a reason to like you.  Why would you? They didn't have the bankbook!

Charlotte stares at Joe for a moment, stunned, and looks at Batgirl. Batgirl has her face buried in her hands, either crying or laughing. Charlotte storms out.

Finnick: Oh, it's just Gabriella's aunt. Should have known. 

Tanner: Come on, man, I'm trying to talk to you about something important. 

Frodo: As if he could hear you. 

Tanner: Well, she's gone now. Can we get back to this?

Finnick: You're way off base. I'm not planning my future around "a girl". She just happens to love Witch's Cove as much as I do, and we'll have that in common even if we do break up. 

Tanner: So you're with the girl for the place? That's even more messed up. (laughs) Okay, then, good for you. Seriously. But I'm not happy with the plan. I think I'm gonna work with Grandpa Mace. He's got those three colts and talking about coming out of retirement.

Finnick: That's cool, man. I know we've done everything together, but we're grown men now. 

Frodo: Twins doing everything together crosses into the creepy zone once you hit puberty, anyway. (to Whitney as she walks up) How's that army of new cooks that replaced me doing?

Whitney: The Rhees replaced Pern and Tris, too. They're servers now.  You just abandoned us. 

Mariko: They're fine. And I do mean fine. 

Frodo: Girl, you are jail bait.  

Whitney: I've got your usual orders in already.  Should I go back and cancel Nakoma's? 

Finnick: No, we'll take it to go.  She talked Pocahontas into replacing that Jeep. And getting a car of her own. She's so tired of sharing the park's golf cart with Albus, and now that she's working and going to college... 

Tanner: Not to mention they've added four members to the family. Five if you count Pern. 

Whitney heads back to get their drinks.

Sulu: Can I get a refill? Little Miss has a bottomless stomach.

Lynch: As if. Diana would explode if she drank all that. 

Whitney: Diana? You did decide to change her name? 

Sulu: Sort of. We're calling her by her middle name. 

Lynch: Couldn't bring myself to take away the honorific to my grandmother. At least this way, my daughter won't be branded a racist the second she introduces herself.  

Lynch gets a call on her radio. 

Lynch: Go ahead, dispatch.  (listens) Possible homicide? I'm on the way! 

Live and Learn

Batgirl is enjoying her lunch break when Charlotte barges into the Employees Only area.

Charlotte: I cannot believe the gall!  They've dragged Billy's brother out of hiding! 

Batgirl: Billy has a brother?

Charlotte: God only knows what he's going to tell the lawyers.  When I was pregnant with Max, he called me the most vile names.  

Batgirl (resigned): Sit down, then, and tell me.  

Charlotte: I never mentioned him because he isn't worth mentioning.  Or wasn't until now. 

Batgirl: Honestly, I don't understand why you don't just let Mary Kate and Max go.  Gabriella's been in touch with them and they seem to be happy. You'll have a better chance at patching things up with them once they're grown. 

Charlotte: Billy's sons and brother have always hated me.  They tried to turn Billy against me and now they're taking my children.

Batgirl: They suspect you married him for his money and that you're only interested in the kids' inheritance.  (heavy sigh)  And you've always had... well, challenges, in connecting with people.  

Charlotte: You don't get it.  These are MY children.  MINE. 

Batgirl: They're people, Charlotte, not possessions.

Charlotte stares at her sister for a long moment before rising and leaving without another word.

On her way out of the grocery, she stops in her tracks when she hears someone call her hated nickname. 

Charlotte (irate): What did you call me?! 

Jeremiah: I didn't call you, Charlotte.  (nervously laughs) You don't recognize me, do you? I'm Jeremiah Russo.  Father of two now, one of which happens to be named Lottie.

Charlotte: You named your child after me?  

Jeremiah: She's actually named after her mom's grandmother.  (to Alex)  Go find Lottie.  I'm sure she's back in frozen foods.  

Charlotte: Oh, this isn't her? 

Jeremiah: This is Alex. 

Alex: You're Gabriella's aunt, right?  Charlotte Jackson?

Charlotte (to Jeremiah): I apologize for shouting at you.  Please understand, I've had a very bad day.

Jeremiah: No problem.  I have the same reaction when people call me Jerry.

*********

Phoebe is taking advantage of the unseasonably warm day.  She's researching the history of Witch's Cove, preparing for the paranormal team's work there, in the park.

Becky: Hey, I was just headed over to City Hall to help you out.   Jeremiah told me I could tag along and do a story on y'all for the university paper. 

Phoebe: I got done with everything I can't take with me.  I'll be glad to go over it with you once I get all my notes in order.  

Becky: History of Doll County?  Anything juicy in here or just a lot of land deeds? 

Phoebe: All the juicy stuff was in the newpaper archives. (stops typing)  About what Sylvia said the other day?  About Ben?  She has no idea what she's talking about.   Her ex was convinced Ben's gay because he has a man bun.  Seriously.  That's his entire basis for the assumption.

Becky: Wow.  Sylvia dodged a bullet when they broke up. 

Phoebe: She dodged a nuke when they broke up.  Anyway, I dated Ben back in the day and I can attest to his heterosexuality.  So if you are interested in him, go for it.  

Becky: Really?  You and Ben? 

Phoebe: We just didn't work out.  Not much to tell.  

****

Note to readers: Charlotte's children (Mary Kate and Max) live on Facebook page "Our Toy Story" under the album "Nearly Famous". 

The Home Place

Doll County Day Care, early morning.

Jenny: Oh, boy, new giant dollies!  I love the new center so much!

Fred: And army dudes!

Batgirl: John, I don't think you've met my sister Charlotte.  She's considering your day care for her children.

John: Of course.  Step inside, Mrs. Jackson, and have a look around. 

Charlotte: Why are they all barefoot?

John: You'd be surprised how many germs ride on the soles of your shoes.  Also, it saves injuries if the kids get too rambunctious.

Batgirl (after Charlotte has gone inside): Don't count on her as a client.  She's probably not going to get custody - the judge has already awarded temporary custody to her stepson.  She's just keeping up appearances.

John: Shame.  Your girls were always a delight and if their cousins are anything like them...

Batgirl: Honestly, Joe and I have a better shot at custody than she does.  

John: I didn't know you were trying for custody.

Batgirl: We aren't.

Sylvia: Hi, I'm Miss Sylvia.  Welcome to bedlam.

Charlotte: You work here?  What are your qualifications?

Sylvia: My minor is in Education and I love children.  

Charlotte: And your Major?

Sylvia: Environmental Sciences.  I attend the local university.

Charlotte: What's this?  Surely the children aren't expected to read this?

Sylvia: Guidelines for the parents.  It amazes me how little some of them realize the needs of children.  My personal favorite is number 42.  

Jenny:  Look, Auntie Charlotte!  A astronaut lady doll! 

Charlotte: Be quiet, Jennifer, the adults are talking.

*****

Saturday morning, at the Oriental Buffet.

John: Pocahontas and I narrowed the options down to the houses we're looking at today and we want your opinions, since you'll be living there, too. 

Pocahontas:  If you have misgivings about a place, tell us.  No matter how dumb you might feel it is.  

Anakin: What if Mommy gets permission to have me again?  

Pocahontas: Then you'll have a nice place to visit your sisters.  Trust me, boy, we're still gonna be in your life unless she takes you to Mars.  

Anakin: Or maybe she could come live with all of us! 

Pocahontas (chuckles): I suppose anything is possible.  We're having this conversation, aren't we?  

Roxy: Cause of me and Anakin.

Kelly:  I helped! Dint I help, Nakoma? 

Nakoma: I'm sure you did.  Once we settle on a house, can we start planning a wedding?

John: What do you think?  Me and you could do some male bonding in that garage.

Kelly: I wanna male bondage, too! 

Anakin: Male means boy, you goofball.  Like rebuilding muscle cars together and stuff.

Kelly: Cars don't got muscles.  Daddy, tell him!  Cars got motors!

John (winks at Anakin): Yeah, Anakin, you goofball.  Cars don't got muscles.

Roxy: I like that porch and flowers all around it.

Pocahontas: Yes, but those flower beds take a lot of work to maintain.

Roxy: No problem.  Albus will come do it for us.  He has a nice garden at The Point.

Pocahontas: Albus will have his hands full with his own garden, wherever he ends up.  

Roxy: I still can't believe Batgirl's mean sister is making him move.

Pocahontas: Me, too.  But you know what?  I bet Albus would love to teach you how to garden.  Then, if we decide on this house, that will be your job.

Kelly (crying):  Don't like this house!  It is mean!

Anakin: There at the top of the steps, when you turn the corner toward the bedrooms.  I felt like zombies were gonna bust through the wall and eat me.  

Nakoma: I thought I was imagining things until I saw how you guys were reacting.  Roxy wouldn't even go up the stairs.  But John and Pocahontas didn't notice anything.

Anakin: Kids are more sensitive to stuff like that.  Ghosts or whatever.

Pocahontas: There seems to be a consensus on this house, but it's only three bedrooms.

Nakoma: Are you still on about that?  I told you I'm fine sharing.  But I do think we girls should get that room with the balcony.

Roxy: If we gotta fit three beds in there, shouldn't we take the biggest room?  The blue flowery bedroom is the biggest.

Nakoma: Kelly's is a toddler bed.  We can fit into the balcony room.

Pocahontas: Kelly will outgrow that toddler bed in no time.  Roxy's right.  Besides, I'm calling dibs on the balcony room.  

*****

Ladies' Lounge, Doll County Country Club.

Helena: Lottie Gordon.  I need to have words with you.

Charlotte: My name is not Lottie Gordon, it's Charlotte Jackson. What do you want, Helena?  Going to bully me some more like you did in school? 

Helena: What do you call buying out a major source of revenue for Barbieville and shutting it down?  I'd call that bullying.  

Charlotte:  I don't care.  I came back to rub it in all your faces that I'm not trailer trash anymore, and I'm going to do it.

Helena: No, Lottie, you are still trailer trash.  Money does not buy class. 

Charlotte:  I'll have you know -- 

Helena: I know what I need to know.  You will not put half of Barbieville out of work on my watch. 

Charlotte: You can't stop me.  I can buy and sell you fifty times over.

Helena: You can't buy and sell the entire town if we join forces against you.  And trust me, we will if you keep this up.  

***Reminder to readers: Charlotte's offspring live at Our Toy Story on Facebook.*****  

Not-So-Sweet Charlotte

Study Hall.  Students are allowed to talk quietly.

Taylor:  You had this whole conversation with her last night?  Wow.  

Gabriella: Yeah, it looks like she's as done with her mom as I am.  Her older brother - he had a different mom - is suing for custody because Charlotte is such a hag.  The part I'm not getting is the bit about when she was pregnant with Max. Mom said both Charlotte's pregnancies were totally healthy. 

Taylor: Well, as self-involved as Charlotte is, I think Mary-Kate is onto something with the getting fat angle.  If I was that vain, I know I'd cry a lot at the thought of stretch marks and extra weight.  

Gabriella: Uncle Billy already had the two boys from his first marriage, so it couldn't have been about him wanting a son.  I'm pretty sure the Mary-Kate pregnancy was how she trapped the poor guy into marrying her, but Max just doesn't make sense. Especially if she was crying in bed the entire pregnancy.  

Alex: My dad said your aunt is nuts.  Like, asylum crazy.

Gabriella: Your dad knows Charlotte? 

Alex: Both of my parents do.  They graduated with her.  

Frustrated, Gabriella waits until Jenny has gone to bed before confronting her parents.  Joe and Batgirl exchange a knowing glance, sigh heavily, and call Courtney into the room. 

Batgirl: I knew Kaden was trying to get custody of his younger siblings.  His lawyer has been in touch with me.  I hoped to spare you girls the drama, but since you had to have Taylor track down Mary-Kate and she's told you about it...  I'm not mad.  I should have known this would happen.

Batgirl: The fact of the matter is that your aunt Charlotte has never been entirely stable.  She spent a good part of her teen years in and out of the Psych Ward.  She simply isn't as resilient as I am and the abuse we grew up in hurt her a lot worse than it did me. 

Joe: She even went after a guy with a knife once.  I'm not gonna tell you who it was because you know the guy, but Charlotte almost went to prison over it.  Shortly after that, she left town for good.  We didn't see her again until she was married.

Courtney: Should we be scared of her?

Joe:  Haven't you noticed we never let you be alone with her?  So many times the two of you wanted to spend the night with Mary-Kate and we couldn't let you be in Charlotte's care.  Broke our hearts to tell you no.

Batgirl: Broke our hearts to let your cousin go home with her.  But she had the older boys and, of course, a nanny to protect her.  You two only had us.

Gabriella: She must have been off her meds while she was pregnant with Max!  That's why she cried in bed the entire pregnancy!  

Batgirl: Both her pregnancies were probably as hard on her mentally as mine were physically.  But it's what she felt she had to do to get the things out of life that she wants.  I really question her priorities, but...  Anyway, that's all you need to know.

Gabriella: Can I tell Mary?  Mary-Kate, I mean? 

Batgirl: Might as well.  She'll hear it eventually.  

***********************

Note to readers: This story in in conjunction with the Facebook page Our Toy Story.  

For the Mary-Kate side of the action, or just for the fun of it, check the "Almost Famous" album.