New Happiness, Begins
The Part 19

David clenched his jaw. "Keep the progress." He disconnected the phone before his brother said another silly thing.

"What's the mechanic saying?" asked Kendall with a hopeful face.

David hesitated. If the woman really wants to go home, maybe she should reconnect the gas line and let it go. Kendall's skills might go to waste in a place like this. Here, most are only mild symptoms, perhaps only achy muscles and stung by bees.

But David reminded himself of the great challenges facing him and his brother. Like it or not, this woman is in great need here.

"She said, looks like the one with your gas line problem."

"Then?"

"He's ordering a new one."

Kendall stunned. "New gasoline line? How long will it take?"

David shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe a few days."

"Sent?"

"Yeah."

Kendall looked around. "Where is the post office?"

"Eh. We don't actually have a zip code yet."

Kendall's eyebrows shot up. "How can the parts in the message be sent?"

"Let me worry about that" David said cheerfully. "You've fixed my bones, so I'll fix your car."

Kendall seemed hesitant, but David could see that the woman was thinking about something and was not getting results. "You have to eat something" said Kendall, then turned around and circled the outside of the cafeteria, heading for the dormitory.

David felt a pile of regret for deceiving the woman, but inwardly, there must have been a strong reason until Kendall responded to their ad. Maybe if you stay here long enough, the woman will remember.

"Don't forget, there's a town meeting!" David Excited.

But, even if he heard, the woman did not answer.

David frowned, then returned down the canteen. He found Molly standing next to the window, checking for a silver watch that had been cleaned under a magnifying glass.

"You found an identification?" ask David

Molly handed the magnifying glass to David.

"Three letters. I think those two letters are S and M. Can you see the third one?"

David rests his body on crutches, picks up a magnifying glass, and lets Molly hold the clock.

"Maybe B? It's hard to be sure." He whistled softly as he rubbed the engraved silver. "Good stuff, eh?"

"Beautiful stuff" agreed Molly. "Hopefully we can put it back into the hands of the rightful owner." He looked around. "Well, by the way, about pretty creatures, where's Doctor Jenner?"

David smiled a little. "I think he's fed up with me, and this city. He wanted to return to his original place as soon as his car was fixed."

"Masa? Too bad. Looks like she's the kind of sensible woman we need here."

"Indeed." David acknowledged. "Although I can't call it pretty."

Molly shook her head. "Open your eyes, soldier. The girl had a beauty that would never bore a man."

David frowned. "Maybe I'm looking for the kind of woman who can bore me."

"I won't tell your mother that you're talking like that." Molly with a stern face.

"sorry. My feet hurt and I'm starving. The Little Doctor said, I have to take pain medication after eating. Can you help?"

"I didn't get an impromptu message."

"Come on, Colonel." David shakes his head.

Molly pursed her lips. "I think I can make scrambled eggs."

David smiled broadly. "That's a beautiful woman."

"So your mouth, Army."

David straightens up and salutes, which invites Molly's smile. The man looked out the window and watched the slender figure of Doctor Jenner who was walking slowly towards the dormitory, as if he was thinking many things on his mind.

The woman did not know, but clearly she determined the fate of Happiness.

...----------------...

Kendall checks the drug supply lazily, her mind filled with the shadow of her recently engaged ex-lover.

Tears pierced her eyelids. In the distance he could hear the women chatting and laughing in the kitchen, the hum of a flaming washing machine. He feels so isolated. Why did he come here? His life is so messy. Escape from one place, trapped in another.

When he heard the sound of footsteps, he rubbed his eyes. The moment Hailey appeared, Kendall suppressed her frustration. It is not the woman's fault if her attractiveness affects the insecurity that has been undermining Kendall.

"Am I interrupting?" ask Hailey

"No, comein. Do you need any more drugs?" The woman was bitten by insects and developed allergies, including herself. Kendall's been giving out ointments and medications all day. It was not at all the life he dreamed of in medical school.

"No, I'm fine." Hailey said, scratching her itchy arm from a casual bite. "I'm here to pick you up for a town meeting."

"Oh." Kendall hesitates. "I'm not leaving."

Hailey frowned and folded her hands. "Why not?"

Should he tell this woman that he is not planning to stay? No. gabe. Kendall doesn't want to face questions. This woman had already called to Denville to chat with family and friends. Most likely everyone knows about the engagement. They will find it sad, because it comes back to try to win the heart of the lover.

That no matter how many bad memories in Denville, this little place, with its great hopes, made it even more fearful.

"I'm busy that's it." - timpal Kendall, the reason sounds weak even in her own ears.

"We need you there, Kendall, to ask and support us. We want to make sure the city is ready to provide everything doctors need."

Kendall admitted reluctantly. Even though he was gone, the next doctor must have had the same needs. Only fair if he helped prepare everything for his successor. That includes part of the oath, being a responsible member of society. Kendall has a special obligation to her fellow human beings to take care of their health.

After all, there were no interesting activities he could do.

...----------------...

Kendall could feel the tense feeling of the people in the dining hall, also a little suspicious. These women are beginning to miss the comfort of home. The weather, insects and seeming lack of a match with the single men who promised to welcome them with open arms, did not improve the situation.

Harry Booker began the presentation by describing how he and his sister reminisced about Happiness as they grew up. A picture of small-town life is shown on a big white screen. The people seem simple and happy.

"But the economy is deteriorating" Harry said. "The city is isolated and many are flocking away. Then things continue to get worse. When the storm hit in the summer ten years ago, everything left in the city was swept away."

Photos of the destruction were visible on the screen and made people stare glued. Kendall's heart is squeezed, so few pictures in the photo can be recognized. Happiness turned into a pile of rubble.

Kendall's mind floated on the objects in the storage room that David had shown her. Residents could not find their property. No wonder I decided to leave.

"After a few years." Harry continued, "the state took possession of these mountains and left them abandoned. Forest fires are left making this place more uninhabitable. A few months ago, we received funding from the government to reclaim the land here and turn it into an environmentally friendly area with reasonable tax levies. We've been given three years to meet the minimum requirements of the program, and so far it's going well."

The computer-generated images help to imagine what the city's face will look like.

He switched the presentation to David Booker and Kendall was not surprised to learn that the man was an expert in his field. After all, David had a natural talent. But still Kendall was surprised to find how straightforward the man conveyed the vision to make Happiness a tourist destination for lovers of outdoor activities, to even have its own charisma.

"We want the name Happiness to have meaning for visitors" he explained. "If we can attract their attention with recycled products as well as trees and rivers, we can also educate them."

Harry took over the podium again to explain that, all the residents are registered and have a role. "We will provide you with accommodation for three years and provide all basic necessities. In return, everyone must contribute so that we will all benefit as the city grows."

"It's an opportunity to help shape where you'll live and build a family. Happiness would be a true cooperative, but we can't do it your mark." David's timpal, he looked directly at Kendall, staring intently with his charming hazel eyes. "You all."

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