My RA Ch. 01

Mei's Mom was having a blast. She thought the idea was a great one; she hadn't shopped for kids' stuff in a long time. She started with the Disney area. She had to tell one manager after another that her daughter and her college roommates all had teddy Bears; apparently, you had to have one with a Bear name in order to live there. "We have a Bear (my daughter's Bear), Teddy and Cubby to get outfits for. There may be a fourth one. "

Mei's Mom sent pictures of all the Bears, along with tailored measurements. Joy gave Mei a note, she laughed and was in total agreement. Joy texted Mei's Mom, special order changed eight sets, five more Bears. Let their creativity run wild. Joy included bios for all the owners, where they live, hobbies, etc. so some pieces could be individualized.

When the manager told the seamstresses the news they first giggled. The manager said most of it we can use scrap material for the clothing. The manager bought five identical Bears. She thought it odd adults were spending hundreds of dollars on teddy Bears for adults, and she then realized she spent far more every year on haircuts.

The clothing was of the highest caliber, so detailed oriented. They moved from geographical themes to time periods, even little Bear shoes. While most of the clothing was the same the order specified some items to be different to give each Bear individuality. It was fun working on a project where the customer wanted you to dream big on a small scale. The workers asked the manager if they could thank the customer for the opportunity. It took ten days to do the job. Fashion books that covered every Era were brought in, and ideas were made while they sowed.

Meanwhile, everyone was entertaining themselves on rides. Ru was having the time of his life. They always got to each park at daybreak and went from the back of the park to the front (while everyone else was going front to the back.) By doing so they met several characters, Minnie was very nice but Anna and Elsa were charming; they had to have pictures and videos of them. Mei even got a video of Anna and Elsa signing their autograph books to show the kids it was the actual signature. Ru loved Space Mountain.

Well, you can't eat healthy at a theme park, corn dogs, funnel cake, cotton candy, Mickey Mouse ice cream and French fries. They would have a good dinner that night. The next day it was going to be over one hundred degrees; the water park would be on today's agenda. They all stuck together when one got tired they all took a rest. It was better than trying to find people in a mobbed park.

Lunch came quickly as everyone was exhausted. Today some veggies were smuggled in, and somehow they had the strength to stay until closing. "Mei, do you think we could make a kid's corner at the club? We have all these kid-oriented pictures. Why can't they have a place of their own?"

They had a few extra days so they went to Disney World again. Almost immediately Anna and Elsa cornered them. "Joy, you have inspired us all, here look at this, as everyone watched the viewfinder the four were stunned. We figured you would like to do something for the kids, we want to help." Joy made a phone call to the Mayor's office, "Mr. Mayor, this is Joy down in Disney World. I have a couple of people who want to talk to you."

"Mr. Mayor, I am Anna and I am Elsa, and we here want to go have a visit to your neck of the woods. We would love to do something for your kids. Maybe an activities center to keep them safe or something like that. We heard that your town got flattened last fall. Don't ever let this special one get away from you. I will tell my boss to expect a call from you."

Everyone went to the food court after that. It was all a blur after that. Soon after the Mayor called Joy and asked if it was a hoax or not. "Mr. Mayor, if you do not make that phone call and just one kid finds out they missed Anna and Elsa, you may have a small riot on your hands."

That evening the Mayor attended the council meeting. "Well to make a long story short, I got a call from Joy down at Disney World. I had a long talk with Anna and Elsa. Disney wants to come here. It was a little overwhelming so I had to tell someone. The way I see it, this is a need to know basis. If you tell, you get fired. They have the dream team, we follow their lead. We need to get ideas for them. If we build something, it has to be central. I would love an activities center, Davey almost got hit last week. Where would we put it?" The one thought I had was if we could relocate someone and make it a win-win situation. I can't give a great deal to everyone.

A councilman asked, "Well, where is the center of the residential area?"

"Main Street and South Street; to think that nine months ago our town was razed and now we can't find room."

Joy was screaming as the 3-D flaming sword came at her, quickly she did two diving summer-saults to avoid the blade. Now she was behind her foe. With one two-handed slice, it was over. The others got knocked out early but Ru's wife lasted far longer than he did. The crowd applauded Joy as she was the sole survivor, usually, everyone gets killed. Ru could appreciate the tactics Joy used, be faster, and hit where he cannot hit you.

Joy said, "Mei look", "Oh no, you are not getting me up there."

"Nice knowing you Mei, I would come but Mother hates heights." Mei did like the indoor skydiving. Alas, it was time to go home. Joy was jumping out of her skin to see the Bear clothes. They were lovely; Joy gave the addresses to the owner, and Mei snuck a trinket in one of the boxes.

Anne recruited some guys to help her move the heavy boxes into the Lodge. Anne found her name on a box."Open it, Anne." She was just pawing through the box and not finding anything but scraps of cloths. She was very disappointed.

Mei went over to Cubby and was just about to hand him to her, Well look at Cubby going on a night on the town."

Joy said, "That's nothing compared to this. Anne cried when she saw the jacket with Cubby stitched on it. "I am sure glad Cubby didn't want a she-Bear."

Joy grabbed the phone, "Hello Mistress, you got a box today?" So did Anne, "What did you get?"

"Joy, I got the most loving thing anyone ever gave me. I am not sure what to make of the tiny crop though. Joy, tell Mei it was so nice of you to include me in your Bear family. I think he has more clothes than me. You need to pick a name, Mistress, a Bear name. I guess if I am going to be a Mistress and evoke evil it should be Blackie."

Next, the Dean and Faith showed up. The Dean's Bear had a velvet smoking jacket on with a pipe and slippers (he had already read the Times and did the crossword puzzle in ink.) He made himself right at home. "What is his name, Dean?"

"It is Specs. He is kind of a layabout."

Faith ran up to Anne and said, "This is Sonie, I tried to get gold colors. I need to get him across. He will be my comforter. They talked about Disney, about how Mickey ignored them, but Minnie was nice. They said it was more than they could have asked for. They were speaking rather cryptically.

"Skype call Mei."

"Hi Mom, how are you?"

"Mei if I did not love you so much I would kill you. Both Mom and Bear had a pink top on and silver badges that read "Number One Mom." His name is Boo-boo. You girls were very naughty sending these out with us standing right there."

"We have not heard from Joy's parents probably the wire broke under the weight of the ice or they are waiting for the box to thaw."Everyone squeezed in holding their Bears, introductions were made all around. Finally, Joy got her call, Mom was grinning ear to ear, "Meet Goldie Joy because you have a heart of gold. Goldie was dressed up in western gear, he was the Sheriff around these parts."

Joy was crying, her whole world was turning upside-down. She just wanted to be a sub, all anyone could do is be inspired by her and follow her example. She did not want to be on a pedestal. Her mother sensed her discomfort, "Joy, tell me what the problem is."

"Mom why do I attract people so. I do not try to, I find it uncomfortable unless I am around the children, they get me, and we are kindred spirits. I can't even go on vacation without it happening. Sometimes I just want to go and hide. Why can't I just be a normal student, instead I am Joy, who seems to have elite status? I am just not happy anymore. I'm am so confused. Do you have any words of wisdom?"

"Joy, you attract people because they have never met anyone like you before. It seems to happen all the time because you are being you. You are not a fake, I am sure many people have tried to make you one and failed miserably. You are a breath of fresh air, and who doesn't want to be around that. You seem to think that being kind to others is a curse."

"Thanks, Mom, I guess I needed a shoulder to cry on."

Joy became a recluse, just going to class and doing double Bible study; she was going to make full use of her now treasured research books. The town grew worried, she stopped her trips into the town. The children were asking why? Some were asking if they had done something wrong. The parents assured them that it was not their fault. Joy just needed some time alone to sort out her feelings and problems. Joy was talking to her Mom every night into the wee hours of the day. Faith came over to the Lodge one night, she gave Anne a nod and both Anne and Mei headed to the library.

No words were spoken, Faith just rocked Joy. Joy had to find a center before she could find solutions. Faith would have to make many trips, Joy was deeply divided. Faith sent for Molly to come. Molly didn't know how she could help, she was just a five year old. On the way to the Lodge Mei told Molly "Molly, Miss Joy needs a friend to talk to. She needs someone she can tell all her adult problems. All you have to do is love her. Miss Joy is confused, and you can help Joy forget her problems by just having someone to talk to. Molly just crawled into Joy's lap and hug each other. Molly, everything Joy says is a secret unless Joy says she could talk about it; it is all right to keep what Joy says to you as a secret."

"Joy needs a friend who does not have someone who does not tattle on her. How do you think she could feel if you betray what everything she entrusts to you? You have the same job I have with Joy. We know you are only a five year old, we want you to ask adults to help you. Adults ask other adults for help. That is the kind of friend Joy thinks you are to her."

Molly did not know what to say. She did know she could handle hugging and loving Joy. Molly decided she would not understand the adult stuff but hugs she understood. When Mei and Molly made it to the Lodge Molly ran over to her friend and embraced her. Mei left to study with Anne. Joy was surprised to see Molly, Joy just cried. Molly crawled onto Joy's lap and hugged her even more. Joy just cried and just babbled her problems as she cried. Joy's troubled soul aligned with Molly's calm soul. Molly just fell asleep hugging Joy.

When Molly got back to the town she just told her friends to pray for Joy; they pledged to do so. That in turn, included their parents. The students and parents realized they viewed Joy in a way she did not want to be viewed. Now Joy was all but being a recluse while trying to cope with the pressure. Mistress, Mei, Alkali, and Faith did not know how to help Joy. Molly already knew what they would tell her.

The next time Molly came she brought ten of her friends; they were all told of the rules. They all wanted to show Joy they were praying for her, so they decided, with the help of adults, to make that their primary goal. The remaining children gathered together to pray for Joy. All the children brought their dollies and Bears, they included them when everyone held hands, Teddy was told to join them. Joy also grabbed Bear as he had more experience with people who were hurting.

Anne and Mei started to pray for Joy in the library, others soon joined in. The Mayor called Disney and told them they would still love them to come but Joy could not be involved with the planning. She was experiencing many emotional problems due to being in the limelight too much. After much praying, the feeling in the Lodge changed, Joy knew it, and the kids knew it. Later, the adults would tell Molly that she was becoming a very kind-hearted person, that was why she was the one helping Joy.

Joy finally was getting what she wanted, people being more considerate of her feelings. Joy was now going back to basics, work on her classes. Mistress could not blame Joy, grades were a primary rule. Joy was now locked in if she had to change how she did things she might just do that. Everyone missed Joy being an example, Joy never wanted that. What it all came down to was either Joy living life the way she wanted to live it or do what she feared she had to do. Joy was doing everything she was asked to do, and then some, outside forces were pushing her away.

Joy called a friend. The friend was pleased to hear from Joy; all Joy could do was babble. "I am miserable. Everything is out of control. How do I take my life back again?" Gail would have to wait for Joy to come up for air before she could talk to Joy. Gail could hear the pain in Joy's voice.

"Joy I can tell you are very distressed. You seem to have narrowed down the cause of the problem. I have a feeling you have already made up your mind as to what you are going to do. If you have not, this is your life. Strip away others and any commitments you made to them, they will understand. Right now, you must take charge. You have to think about what will be good for you, right now."

Dawn called the Dean and soon both were invited into the Lodge. The first thing Mistress said, "I am not there to influence any decision you want to make Joy." It was Joy's life and she was in charge of it. Anne and Mei were crying, the Dean and Mistress were concerned, Joy was unreadable, she had built up a wall of protection.

"Joy, will you come back to Northfield?"

Joy could not commit to anything. She canceled all her classes for the upcoming semester, and she made her last trip to the town. She implored the children to behave and have good manners. Molly could not bring herself to say goodbye.

Joy put her bracelet in the box and was conflicted if she should add her collar. The trip to the airport was eerily silent. Joy could not even call her Mom. Mei called and told her that Joy will be boarding a plane any minute. Joy did not even have a ticket yet.The only thing Joy left behind was her rule boards. Anne just stared at them blankly. She started to shudder, and she broke down. "I failed my best friend."

It didn't take long for the news to spread. The students were stunned. They understood why Joy wanted to learn to be a sub. She knew she would not make a good leader when she was forced into doing so. She could not serve to the best of her abilities. She could not be both Master and sub at the same time. She would always side with the sub. Anyone who knew her saw how loyal she was. It was not an easy decision for her. The parents did not know what to say to the children.

Molly felt betrayed, she had developed a bond with Joy. Her first act of rebellion was she stopped playing with her dolly and she hid it away. After it was retrieved two or three times she would hide it in an increasingly more difficult place to retrieve. Her parents just stopped retrieving it. She knew where it was. Soon other children followed suit. It was simple for them, "If you are not here, you can't be my friend."

The Mayor took the Dean into his confidence about Disney and asked her if the children were so broken-hearted that they would reject anything Joy had a hand in. The Dean called Disney and informed them that circumstances had caused Joy to drop out of school. Many of the children felt betrayed and had stopped playing with and have hidden the dolls and Bears Joy gave them. They did not know how deep-seated the betrayal went.

Please let me know what will happen to Joy. Will she come back to school? Will Dawn become a staff member?

Thanks again to Tigerssman, I could not have done it without you.