Long Day

Chapter 2

To Happy's chagrin, Toby starts spending time with the waitress - Kendra. He brings her to the garage a few times and Paige takes an instant liking to her. Like attracts like, and all that.

Each time Toby brought Kendra over, Happy found something else to do. The first time, she had to fix some circuitry. The second time, she decided to take apart the coffee machine and rewire it. The third time, Happy just left the garage.
And Toby had seemed to notice.

"Happy, why does Kendra bother you so much?" Toby asked one afternoon while Kendra was talking to Sylvester. Even Sly seemed to like her.

"She doesn't," Happy growled.

Toby raised his eyebrows. "I don't believe you. And science agrees with me. You're obviously bothered by something, and I'm assuming it's her."

"Why," snapped Happy, "Why do you have to bring her here? She doesn't belong here,"

Paige, who had been not-so-subtly eavesdropping decided to step in. "Okay, Toby, why don't you go get us some coffee?" She sent him off then turned to Happy.

"What's going on, Happy? You're distracted and you're not yourself. Talk to me, it's unnatural to keep your emotions hidden all the time."

Happy shrugged then put her hammer down. "That girls he's been bringing here. I don't like her. She shouldn't be here."

"Oh," Paige said. "You're jealous."

"I am not jealous! Why does everyone keep saying that?"

"Happy, it's not a bad thing. It just shows you how much you care for Toby."

Happy glanced over to where Toby was laughing with Kendra. Maybe Paige was right. Maybe she was jealous. Or maybe she wasn't used to Toby showing other girls attention. Whatever the feeling was, she didn't like it. Her stomach was in knots and she couldn't think clearly.

"Maybe you're right. What do I do about it, Paige? You're good with these things, feelings." Happy looked to the couple again and felt her stomach drop. Toby caught her looking and smiled. Happy looked away.

Paige seemed to think about it for a few seconds. Then she said, "It's simple really. You need to tell Toby."

"What, no! I can't tell Toby about this! He'll laugh at me and I'll never be able to face him again. No. I can't do it.

Paige smiled sadly. "Happy, there isn't another way. Talk to him, I'm sure he'll understand." And with that, she walked away.

When Happy looked up again she say Kendra greeting everyone, and getting ready to leave. She hugged everyone goodbye, except for Happy. It seemed the dislike was mutual.

One Toby had walked her to her car, he came back inside and walked up to Happy. "Are you ready to talk now?" He asked.

It was now or never.

"Toby, I'm jealous."

Happy had never seen anyone, let alone Toby, smile so brightly before. He picked her up and spun her around. Happy started giggling then burst out into laughter. Once Toby put her down, he said, "I always knew you'd come around. You couldn't hide your feelings for me forever. Kendra's my friend. She's not you."

Toby's smile never fell for the rest of the day and Happy simply glowed. All was well.