New Happiness, Begins
The Part 18

Kendall pulled the chin. "It's none of your business. You said you were gonna introduce me to someone named Molly?"

"True" said David, then walked to the cafeteria. "Colonel Molly Manroe grew up here, but left to join the Army. After thirty years, he retired. When he heard we needed someone to feed the workers, he applied to take care of our canteen."

"So the workers always eat here?" kendall asked, pointing towards the long building of the dining hall.

"Unless there's a special occasion like the barbecue party last night, which we try to hold as often as possible." David grimaced as he held the door open with one crutch. "Molly managed everything efficiently, but she wasn't very good at cooking."

That statement made Kendall smile. "So you brought me here to eat bad food?"

"Molly is also doing something else for the city" David said as he followed Kendall inside.

Kendall observed the plain dining hall, there was a long food counter where food was served in the style of a cafeteria, as well as rows of handmade wooden tables and benches. Inside, there are some people who are not too enthusiastic about the breakfast that is being eaten.

"This place doesn't look like a cafeteria." Comment Kendall.

"We have big plans" David said with a big smile. "What can you hear when you come to the town meeting."

A stocky woman wearing an army-patterned aprons stood behind the counter serving, inspecting a giant mobile dishwasher. David waved to catch his attention.

Molly walked over to them while drying her hands, a stern expression on her face. "Kitchen's closed till lunch, man."

David pointed at his feet. "Come, Colonel. I was injured and starved. Can't you make me a special meal?"

"No. And don't blink your eyes. You know your flirting and flirting doesn't work for me."

Kendall held back a smile. I think he likes this woman.

David sighed, then turned to Kendall. "Molly, I'd like to introduce Doctor Kendall Jenner. Doctor Jenner is treating me."

"It's nice to meet you, Doctor Jenner. I'm Molly Manroe." Molly reached out with a burly hand, which Kendall greeted warmly.

"It's nice to meet you too."

"You're not a vegetarian, are you?" molly asked suspiciously.

"Hmm no" Kendall replied, then flipped the woman's hand and pointed at the red rash. "Dermatitis, I think because of the laundry soap. Is it treated?"

"Kris gave me the lotion he made from blueberry leaves."

Kendall put her lips together. "If the itching continues, you may need to see a real doctor to ask for a steroid cream."

Molly doesn't look worried. "Well, I'll remember your advice."

"Doctor Jenner found something interesting this morning near the tower" David said, then took out the bandana he wrapped around the watch and handed it to Molly. "May I show him the property space?"

Molly's face beamed as she inspected the watch. "Please. I'm gonna clean this thing up."

David led the way through the back exit of the canteen. A few meters from there, there was a long and large iron building with a combination lock on the door. He entered a combination of numbers, then pushed the door open and turned on the lights.

Kendall knew right away that the building was a warehouse.

On the right side of the entrance there is a workspace with a writing desk, desk, filing cabinet, sink, water slang, wipe and a variety of cleaning equipment. Other parts of the building resemble a giant flea market, outdoor sculpture furniture, patch blankets, clothing, musical instruments, utensils, even some motorcycles.

"This is where we keep the valuables we find." David opened the file cabinet and saw labeled plastic bags. He held up a pouch containing a glittering silver picture frame, with a black-and-white wedding photo already stained but still bright inside. "Molly cleaned up and fixed everything, then matched it with a list of items reported missing by residents after the storm. If he could trace the current residence, he sent it to them. Otherwise, he would label, bag and keep it here."

Kendall stared at the wedding photo, thinking about how valuable it was to the people inside and to their children. "Until when?"

David shrugged, returned the picture frame and closed the file cabinet. "We haven't decided yet. One of our ideas was to create a website so that former residents here would be easier to contact us."

"There are at least two information technology experts in our group" Kendall said

Kendall could imagine people sitting on those rocking chairs, they were around those tables. People who have loved, laughed, cried, and built families here.

A storm has swept through their history that would have vanished forever had the Booker brothers not attempted to rebuild the entire city of Happiness.

It's breathtaking.

Kendall approached a diverse collection of furniture separated in a corner, mesmerized by a giant headboard with a unique curve resembling a sled. It was old, but the pelur was shiny.

"Beautiful." sighed Kendall as she rubbed her delicate wood.

David appears behind her. "I think so does my mother."

Kendall. "Your mother?"

David nodded. "All these things come from our home. This bed belongs to my father and mother. There, the low table that Harry made for my mother as a Mother's Day gift. And there was the glass cabinet he used to store fine tableware, without glass. We found some dishes that were still intact. We kept it all until the day we could take our mother home to Happiness.

Thousands of emotions flashed across David's handsome face, and it looked a deep longing from his hazel eyes. Kendall could only imagine the many memories that greeted the man whenever he saw these objects. The loss of his own family was heavy at the time. His heart was filled, but at the same time he did not want to be emotionally attached to the place he planned to leave. Suddenly Kendall felt she would rather stay in Denville than stay here. The Booker brothers are trying to bring back the thrill of a long lost home and family. The rebuilding of Happiness must require hard work from people who truly care.

And Kendall doesn't care.

He tries to control himself. "It was all very commendable" he was finally able to let out his voice. "But if I may, I'd really like to talk to the mechanic about fixing my car so I can go home."

He turned around and walked out, before he could think again about the meaning of "home" he said earlier.

David observes Kendall, who walks with steady steps out of the storage room, unsure of what caused her mood to change. A minute ago he admired the historical belongings of the residents of Happiness, but a minute later he really wanted to get away from that place immediately.

David wonders again about Kendall's phone conversation while at the top of the tower. Has the situation the woman left in Denville changed? Is there someone who wants him back?

David glanced again at the piece of furniture his mother had found, the objects always make him confident that they will successfully restore the city of Happiness and bring back their mother to the place where she met their father, raised children, and buried family members, including his own father.

David was willing to do whatever it took to develop the city. And now he has to convince the women from Denville to stay.

Including Doctor Jenner.

The woman waited for him with her hands folded on her chest, looking in the direction that her goal was to move away from Happiness. Damn it, if only he didn't look pretty in his work clothes.

"I'll call the mechanic right now" David said, pulling out a cell phone.

"Good." Kendall said cheerfully

Does anyone care if my feet are twitching like a toothache? thought David. He then pressed Harry's number.

"David?" answer Harry. "Where are you? Why didn't you help me prepare for the meeting you were planning?"

"I called to know the doctor's car's progress" David said, exaggerating his tone to let Harry know he was playing.

"Gee. Is Doctor Jenner standing next to you?"

"It's true."

"You're pathetic."

"Whatever you need" said David cheerfully

Harry laughs. "I think this woman has you."

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