Picket Fences! Part 16





A few days later over at Joy Evans' house . . .


Joy went to the bathroom mirror to gussy up . . .



Then she called Transpotation on the telephone.

"Please send a taxicab to 12 Greenway Drive."



When the taxicab arrived she told the driver to take her to Moo's Mini Mart.



The taxicab let her off in front of the market.


When Joyce entered the mart, she couldn't help but notice an extremely handsome man drinking a soda.


Joyce had come to the Mini Mart to shop and shop she would. She approuched the him and asked, "Excuse me, I need to get something out of that case. Would you please step aside?"

"Sure, anything you say beautiful", he answered.

"I appreciate the compliment young man but my name is Joyce, not beautiful", she said.

"My name is Rhys, not young man and you ARE beautiful", he said.



Joyce finished her shopping and . . .



Paid the cashier.

"Thank you for shopping at Moo's Mini Mart", said the cashier.

Rhys also picked up a few items.

"Here you are Beautiful", he said, "Keep the change."

"Thank you Rhys, you're the best", the cashier said.



Joyce went outside and used the public telephone to call Transpotation.

"I need a taxicab to take me home", she said.


She sit on the bench to wait for the taxicab.

"Would you like to go get something to eat?", asked Rhys.

"I've already called a taxicab to take me home", said Joyce.



"You're in my way again", said Joyce.

"I thought you might need some company and I know I need some lunch", said Rhys.

"I think maybe I do", she said, "I make a pretty tasty grilled cheese sandwich."

When the taxicab arrived, Joyce and Rhys got in.



The taxicab driver took them to Joyce's house.

"You have a nice little place here", said Rhys.

"Thank you, I like it", she said.



"Sit down at the table. I'll have the sandwiches ready in a few minutes", she said.



"Where did you live before you came to Buford Falls?", asked Joyce.

"I'm from Pleasantview", said Rhys.



"That's a lovely little town. My late husband's family was from there", she said.



"I didn't get to see a whole lot of the town or get to know the people. I spent most of my life there in the orphanage. I had just became an adult, right before I moved here", he said.


"I hope you'll find Buford Falls to be more to your liking. You don't sound like you had too good of a life in Pleasantview", she said.

"It wasn't all bad. The little time I spent there after I grew up was quite enjoyable", he said.


Then Rhys noticed the portrait hanging on the wall over a urn on the table.

"Was he your husband?", he asked.

"Yes, that's Kevin. That portrait was painted when he was young", she said.


"How long have you been a widow?", asked Rhys.

"A little over four years now", said Joyce.

"I would think you get pretty lonely sometimes without your husband", said Rhys.



"Yes, it does get lonesome, but having my daughter and grandchildern living close by helps", said Joyce.


"You don't look old enough to have a grown daughter, much less grandchildern", he said surprised.



"Hey, look at the time . . .


"I got to be getting on home", he said.


"I hope you can come again when you're able to stay longer", she said.

"Sure, it's just that this is the first time I left my son with a nanny", he said.

"Yes, of course. I understand, I was a young parent one time myself", she said.


Joyce gave Rhys a tender kiss goodbye.

The he left to go home.

To be continued . . .