The restaurant glowed a dim light, as The mayor, and Ms. Bellum sat enjoying their glass of wine after their meal. Tonight was a bit unusual, although, as they sat. The mayor didn't particularly feel, happy with Ms. Bellum. He didn't truly feel satisfied with Ms. Bellum. Ms. Bellum didn't feel that satisfied with The Mayor either. For some reason, it felt wrong for them to be together. It was weird, but it was the truth.
"That was lovely". The Mayor said, drinking his glass of wine. "Indeed it was". Ms. Bellum said, taking a sip of her wine. The Mayor didn't want to say anything. He shouldn't have said anything. He should've said, "thank you", and they would've gone separate ways. But, that didn't happen. Not at this second.
"Would you like to come upstairs?". The Mayor asked. "Well, I would, although, I do have an early morning". Ms. Bellum said. "I must be going". "Yes, so do I". The Mayor said. They sat, making small talk for a round of a few minutes. There was a moment of silence, before Ms. Bellum made her statement. "I've been thinking about certain things, and, I think it's best if we confer with other people". "I just don't feel those certain feelings anymore". Ms. Bellum said. "Yes, I understand". The Mayor said. "And I do still think greatly of you". "Yes, although, it hasn't been that satisfying". Ms. Bellum said. "It truly hasn't, although, nothing dictates we can't be close". The Mayor said. "True". Ms. Bellum said. For the rest of the evening, they just talked. It wasn't anything major. They didn't go on to do anything. They just, chatted.
When the end of the night came around, They were civil. They said goodnight, and left. They didn't kiss. Nothing happened. It may have looked sad, although when truly thought of, they were satisfied. Nothing happened that they didn't recognize. It was smooth. Now truly was the time to remain faithful. They did.
Bubbles ate her stuffing the Professor made. She truly did feel at peace after what the Swami had said, or had shown her. It was amazing what kind of peace she could keep in her heart. The peace she kept, she had known to share with her sisters. It was the kind of peace she would keep close to her for many years to come. Now was not the time to keep negative thoughts, and distant atrophy close. Now was the time to go to bed. That's right, lay down, go to bed, and pray for a happier tomorrow.
"I miss my big sisters". Bubbles said, as The Professor tucked her in. "I know, sweetie". The Professor said, gently. "They truly were amazing, and, I'm glad that we were able to do with them what we did". "I just… I don't know what to do now". Bubbles said. "Well, at this point, we just have to let nature take its course". The Professor said, gently. "We've been doing well". "I know". Bubbles said. She curled up with Octi in her arms. "I'm trying". Bubbles said. "I'm not good enough". "Sweetie, you are one the strongest, kindest, girls I've raised". The Professor said, gently. "I love your perseverance, dedication, strength". "You are special, and I love how you've shared your feelings, and concerns with me these past couple of weeks". "I know". Bubbles said.
"You are something way more special than you know". The Professor said, gently. "You are my laughter, and joy". "I know". Bubbles said. "You will always be". The Professor said with a kindness in his voice. He stroked Bubbles head, as she laid down to sleep. "Sweetie, would you like to hear a story?". The Professor asked, kindly. "Yes". Bubbles said, as she pulled the covers to her bed over her face.
"This is Brendan's big day". The Professor said, sitting down on the side of the bed. The sit eventually turned into a lay, as he laid beside Bubbles, reading her a story. "Brendan's big day". The Professor said, opening Bubbles' storybook.
"Brendan McGinnis lived with his parents, Kathy, mom, and Steve, Dad". The Professor read. "Brendan loved to laugh, and play by himself, until one day, mom said, "you're getting a new baby sister". "Cool". "Brendan said". "We're going to Russia to get her". Mom said".
"The family got on a plane, and traveled all the way to Russia, to pick up Anastasia". "Anastasia was Brendan's little sister". "Brendan was so excited to be a big brother".
"...But what excited him the most was how his younger sister, Anastasia brought light into the family's life". "Anastasia grew up to be strong, and kind, just like her brother".
"Just like you". The Professor said to Bubbles.
"Just like me". Bubbles said.
"Anastasia was Brendan's hope for a better tomorrow". "She was the family's sunshine". "She was their laughter and joy". The Professor said, gently.
"I know". Bubbles said, falling asleep.
"You're doing great". The Professor said, gently. "You are amazing". "Never forget that".
"I won't". Bubbles said. The Professor kissed Bubbles cheek goodnight. "So, I'm actually special?". "I'm worth something?". Bubbles asked. "You are". The Professor said, kindly. "You are my special, sweet girl". "I will always love you". "I know". Bubbles said. The Professor kissed Bubbles forehead. "If you need anything, I'm right down the hall". The Professor said, gently. "I love you, sweetie". "I love you too". Bubbles said. Bubbles felt her eyes fall. It had been a long day. It was a long year full of sadness, full of pain, full of hatred, anger, wolves howling, ripping and tearing, with their bloody chowles, and the scary Harvest Moon Spirit. There was death as well.
Bubbles had seen death, heard stories of the other kids in grief group who had been through trauma, and seen hatred toward someone for being different. Outside, a blood red moon, and scary black sky hung out, as hissing was heard. Still, she tried being positive, tried being a normal little girl throughout the darkness, and the monsters that killed. Bubbles knew if she laid down, and went to bed today, she would wake up to a happier tomorrow. Well, it wouldn't be happier, it would be 2% better than it was today.
Bubbles tried being strong through it all. She tried being kind. But now, it was difficult. Bubbles felt her eyes fall. She felt a huge weight over her. She felt truly tired. Scared of death. She laid down, sleeping. It was time to feel truly at peace. Even in a world that wasn't.
The next morning was rainy, and gray. The cold whipped around. It was Saturday, meaning Bubbles, and The Professor could do whatever they wanted. Today was different, however. Today was the day to visit Blossom, and Buttercup's graves. The Professor fed Bubbles her cereal, and they went to buy some flowers from the grocery store. The Professor put Bubbles in her car seat, and they drove down to the local store.
"Are Blossom and Buttercup in heaven?". Bubbles asked. "They are". The Professor said, turning on the street to go to the Grocery Store. "They're always looking down on you, protecting you". "Ok". Bubbles said. "Why did Dick Hardly kill them?". "Well, he is a very bad, evil man". The Professor said. "Sometimes when people are bad, and evil, they do unspeakable things". "I know". Bubbles said. There was no other words said after that. Although, at one point, Bubbles did say something, "I love you, daddy". Bubbles said. "I love you too, sweetie". The Professor said, gently. "I will always love you". Bubbles held Octi close to her, looking upwards to her sisters. Her sisters were up there. They were up, looking down on her, guiding her, teaching her, just as they did when they were alive.
They got the flowers, then went to the gravesite. Rain fell on the gravestones of Buttercup, and Blossom. The Professor read a prayer, as Bubbles put the flowers over their gravestones. Through the rain, however, through the storm, the sun came out. The sun shone on their gravestones, giving Bubbles, and The Professor hope. It gave them guidance, wisdom, and support. Maybe the world was broken. Maybe the world was strained. At least now there would be some guidance. There would be one answer.
Buttercup was the strength. Blossom was the wisdom, and calm. Bubbles now realized she was her own thing. She was her own person. She was the Professor's strong, kind, thoughtful girl. She was the laughter, and joy.