p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Paula Hutchison stood by her door. She was a nice woman, nice enough. She smiled often, was jovial about everything, and had a sunny disposition about her. She was the kind of woman that often served a man's egregious needs. This oftentimes was her husband, Filburt. Filburt, a turtle, you all know him from "Rocko's Modern Life", was sexually insecure, neurotic, and specific about his wants. He could barely hold his own during sex. Paula wanted someone that was uninhibited, strong, limber, giving and secure in his sexual prowess. Not that Paula was unhappy in her marriage, but, being a woman giving to a man's epidemiological needs was unfulfilling. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Today, Filburt was stressed as he walked in the door. He seemed to be a nervous wreck. "Oh my". "Oh my". Filburt said, coming in with a nervous breakdown. "What's wrong, babe?". Paula asked, gently. "Today Mr. Sampson…". "Oh, I'm nauseous". "I'm nauseous". Filburt said, shaking. He was clearly angry, and stressed. Filburt's boss made him angry at work. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""What happened, babe?". Paula asked, gently. "Mr. Sampson tracked mud in the conference room". "Of course I had to clean it up". "Oh, I'm nauseous". "I'm nauseous". Filburt said, seething with anxiety, and some anger. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Well, you've certainly come to be slower to anger". Paula said, gently. "You're better than you were last". "Mr. Sampson must have his brains up there for decoration". Filburt said. "Oh, dammit, I'm nauseous". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Why don't we lay down for a bit?". Paula said, gently. She helped Filburt over to the couch. Filburt laid down, taking some deep breaths. "Here, babe". Paula said, gently. She put some ice on Filburt's chest. Their toddlers, Missy and Shelbert, played in the other room. "Would you like some cookies?". Paula asked, gently. "You remembered to get the ones with chocolate chunks in them, right?". Filburt asked. "You know how I like my chocolate chunks". "Of course". Paula said, gently. She took out chocolate chip cookies with chocolate chunks in them, setting them beside Filburt. "This is nice, isn't it?". Paula reassured. "It is". Filburt said. "I don't know what I'd do without you". "Mm, well, you're my knight in shining armor". Paula said, smiling. "I would be lost without you". It was true. Filburt did have a tight grip over the household, and set plausible, strict rules, and disciplines for his toddlers. Of course, they'd be measured when the kids got older, but Filburt was in charge most of the time. Paula could hold her own as a steady woman, mother, and provider, but was lost without Filburt. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I love you, babe". Paula said, kissing Filburt on the mouth. They lingered for some time. Paula, however, didn't feel the love, didn't feel the sex, or the passion she first felt when they got married, or even had sex the first time. Paula pursed her lips, knowing something was better. There was another option for her, and maybe, perhaps, she could just peek out the window at something she desired. Perhaps a life where she could find something fulfilling. She was a smart, attractive woman, and an elite surgeon that had access to any sexually gratifying doctor, or surgeon she pleased. Aspan style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spansmart, suave, confident, compassionate man, with a deep voice, and a golden smile. A man who was sexually pleasing as well. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Paula knew she had access to these "perfect" men, although she chose someone who was within her tastes. He was a bit gluttonous, selfish, and had a simple minded, one track nature about him. She chose to have a secretive relationship with Heffer. Sure, Heffer wasn't gratifying in the least, he certainly was simple minded. Although he was sexually secure, confident, and very laid back, as well as compassionate. Paula had been in a relationship with Heffer for some time now, and chose to pursue this. She wanted a bit more for herself. She had desires to be met. She had a vagina to keep care of. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"She was going to satisfy those desires. She looked on at her husband, Filburt, as he laid, being so...underscored. He was attempting to fulfill those egregious needs by proprietorship of a woman. Sure, men had the glory, and the right mind of being a "hero". The aggrandizement was not without the hand of a smart, silent, sexually gratifying woman. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Paula went to draw Missy, and her brother Shelbert a bath. She needed more. She needed more than...this. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"span lang="EN"*/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Bev Bighead was a compassionate woman. If so, you're remembering Bev Bighead, Ed Bighead's wife from "Rocko's Modern Life". She's it. Today was a normal workday for Bev as she sat in her office, shuffling some papers, putting them away. Bev worked as a Deprivation counselor for children who had suffered from trauma in infancy, lack of love, and stimulation due to International Adoption, and loss of birth family. Bev was easygoing, kind, and loving. She loved working with her children./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Today was a good day. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"A young boy, named Robbie came into her office, holding his blanket, and his toy truck. He was in his pajamas. "Bev". Robbie said in a broken, underdeveloped, disabled speech cadence. "Hello, sweetie". Bev said, gently. Bev's voice sounded raspy, and deep, guttural from smoking. "I have truck, truck". Robbie said, showing Bev his toy cement truck. "That's very lovely, honey". Bev said, gently. She looked a bit closer at Robbie. Robbie had bags under his eyes, red in his eyes from lack of sleep. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Sweetie, did you have trouble sleeping?". Bev asked, gently. "Yeah". Robbie said. "I have a bad nightmare". "Oh, sweetie, I'm sorry to hear that". Bev said, gently. A pack of cigarettes sat on the table, near her lighter. Bev took Robbie's hands in hers. "What was your bad dream about?". Bev whispered, gently. "Bad man shoot my mommy". Robbie said. "Bad man stab my heart". "Bad man get shot". "Bad man is dead". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""That's terrible, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "How do your bad dreams make you feel?". "I'm scared". Robbie said. "I don't sleep". "How do you feel when you think about mommy?". Bev asked, gently. "Sad". Robbie said. "I understand it can be difficult". Bev said, gently. The rasp, and depth to her voice was heard. She was a heavy smoker. "You and your birth mother were so close when you were born". Bev said, gently. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Then when birth mom died, you were left all alone". "There was no one to hold you, no one to kiss you, tell you goodnight". "You were by yourself". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I miss mommy". Robbie said, feeling the presence, the love, and the nurturing his birth mother brought. "I know it was painful, being without anyone". Bev said, gently. "What did...what did my mommy used to do?". Robbie asked. "Your birth mom would hold you, she'd sing to you at night". Bev said, gently. "She would kiss you, you would smile, and laugh when she held you". "You loved birth mom". "She loved you". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I'm not smart". Robbie said, as a tear came down his eye. "You weren't given the love, and nurturing you needed". Bev said, gently. "You had your family taken away". "But never doubt yourself". "You are an amazing, wonderful, loving, strong person". "I will always love you". Bev comforted Robbie, taking his hands, telling him stories, making him feel appreciated. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Bev was kind, loving, and thoughtful. She truly was a loving grief counselor. She had an adoptive daughter, Emily, who had experienced trauma, herself. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Emily was born in Texas in 1998 to Mary, and John Witham. She was a normal, happy, playful baby. Mary, and John were both attacked, and killed by terrorists 17 months after Emily's birth. Emily lived on the streets, where she was attacked, and abused by violent street gangs. She was taken to an orphanage, and cared for, although the orphanage was dilapidated, and she wasn't stimulated, or given the love, or affection she needed, resulting in developmental delay, and intellectual disability. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"She was adopted by two parents, and cared for, until they were killed in a plane crash. From then on, Emily was taken to the Children's Hospital, and was there until Bev and Ed adopted her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Emily had regressed, although. When Bev adopted her, she could not lift her head, sit up, eat, talk, or swallow. With trauma therapy, and services, Emily was doing well. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Bev loved her daughter. She truly was an amazing, selfless person. She was so...hardworking. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Bev drove to Emily's school at the end of the day to pick her up. Bev smoked a bit in her car, as she drove. Bev considered herself a lucky woman. She had a great husband, a good sex life, although...just something about Ed. She needed the sex of someone who wasn't so...hard nosed. She wanted someone who was easy, compassionate, someone where the penis wasn't a tough penis, or a painstaking one. Bev wanted a man with a deep voice, suave camaraderie, and a simple love. Rocko was that someone. She'd been in a relationship with Rocko for some time now. She loved how simple, compassionate he was. He was her guilty pleasure. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"As Bev picked Emily up, Emily got in, holding her Barbie doll. "Mommy, this is Pink". Emily said, holding her doll. "That's lovely, sweetheart". Bev said, gently. "Did you have a good day at school?". "Yes". Emily said. "I played with Ivanov". "That's good to hear, love". Bev said, kindly. "I'm sure he's doing very well". "Ivanov is a Saint". Emily said. "I did recently hear that he was canonized". Bev said, gently. "He's a heroic, strong person, just as you are". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I'm a hero". Emily said. "Yes, you are". Bev said, gently. "You saved those people on the airplane, when you were with your adoptive parents". "I did?". Emily asked. "You did". Bev said, gently. "You were an amazing person, who helped everyone". "That's why you, and Ivanov were put together". "You both were heroes toward your birth family". "Ok". Emily said. Bev smiled, as Emily played in the backseat. Emily truly was selfless, and loving. Bev was proud to have a daughter like her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Emily, sweetie, are you thirsty?". Bev asked, gently. "Would you like some almond milk?". "No, I'm ok, mommy". Emily said. Emily held her doll, playing with her, singing songs. "Let's have some, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "I'm sure it's been a long day". "Ok". Emily said. Bev took an almond milk container out of her purse, giving it to Emily. "There you go, sweetie". Bev said, gently, and softly. "Are you ok?". "Yeah". Emily said. Emily sat, drinking her almond milk. Truly, it had been a long day. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Bev looked a bit more closely at Emily's eyes. Emily had bags under her eyes from sleeplessness. Emily had flashbacks, and PTSD episodes that made it hard for her to sleep at night. Bev felt bad for Emily. She knew, somehow, some way or another, she had to make it easier for Emily. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Bev eventually pulled into the driveway, helping Emily out of her carseat. "Mommy, I drank all my milk". Emily said. "I'm very proud of you, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "You are very magnificent". "I always love you". Bev kissed Emily's cheek. "Thank you, mommy". Emily said. They went in the house, seeing Ed at the table, reading some of the mail, doing paperwork. "Hey". Bev said, kissing Ed on the lips. "Hey". Ed said, as they kissed, lingering for some time. "Conglom O wants me to file for co-dependency on these returns". Ed said. "They should have substantial reasoning". Bev said. "If they put $54.00 down on the last return, that should be enough to cover next quarter". "Co-dependency is the least of the worries". Ed said. "At this rate, nothing will be smooth enough to cover anything". "Blow is what it is". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Emily went over, playing with her dolls. "I hate Dupette". Ed grumbled, in a harsh voice. "He's got us doing all kinds of crap for leniency". "What a dumbbutt". "Yes, I'm sure, honey". Bev sighed, hearing the least of her husband's tirades. Bev got out the pot, and began making some cheese, and Broccoli casserole for that night. Emily came out with her dolls, singing. If you remember Emily from the last "Rocko's Modern Life" story I wrote, you should remember she was a good singer. She connected notes, she harmonized, she knew how to change keys. She was mesmerizing. Bev admired Emily's singing voice, feeling entranced by it. Emily sang a song. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"span lang="EN""em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"You are my shining star"/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span lang="EN""Don't you go away"/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span lang="EN""I wanna be, right here where you are"/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span lang="EN""Till my dying days"./span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span lang="EN" /span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Emily sang, as she played with her doll, pretending her doll was "Pink", or "Linda Harpoon". "Sweetie, that was beautiful". Bev said, gently. Emily still played with her doll. "Emily". Bev said, gently, addressing her daughter by her name. Emily looked up at Bev, responding to her voice. "Mommy". She said. "Sweetie, I loved your singing". Bev said, gently. "It was very nice". "Thank you, mommy". Emily said. "You are so beautiful, yes you are". Bev said, kissing Emily's cheeks. "You are my amazing, wonderful, lovely baby girl". Bev said, gently, pinching Emily's cheeks. "Mommy loves you very much". Emily laughed, and played as Bev kissed her cheeks. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"It was almost time for the casserole to be put in the oven. Bev situated it, putting it in the oven. "Mommy, can I help?". Emily asked, coming over near the oven. "Thank you very much, sweetie, but, everything looks good for now". Bev said, gently. "It's too hot, sweetie". "Why don't we set the table instead?". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""The fork goes on the left side, and the spoon, and knives on the right". Bev said, gently, showing Emily how to set the table. "Why does it go there?". Emily asked. "Usually, most people are left-handed". Bev said, gently. "So we put the fork there". "That's weird". Emily said. "It is, although, it's the way it is". Bev said, chuckling. Emily laughed, and played with Bev. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Soon, the casserole was done, and it was time to eat. Bev, Ed, and Emily sat down, eating their casserole. There was a bit of a pause between them, as they ate. Then Ed spoke. "How was work?". He asked. "It wasn't that bad". Bev said, pursing her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"My kids seem to be doing very well". "Usually, they're a bit saddened, but, they seem to be much happier, and lighter of whatever situation comes their way". "Hmm, that's good". Ed said. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I didn't expect for numerous attempts to be made regarding this year's quota". "Hmm, are they expecting a big fallout?". Bev asked. "They're not going to meet it". Ed grumbled. "Dupette is a little...muskrat". He censored himself around Emily, being sure not to swear. Emily ate her casserole, sitting her doll beside her. "Mommy, there's veggie in here". Emily said, referring to her casserole. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""You're doing a marvelous job, eating, sweetheart". Bev said, gently. "Oh, you look so beautiful". Bev smiled a gentle smile. "Thank you, mommy". Emily said. "Sweetie, did you tell daddy how school was, today?". Bev asked, gently. "I played with Ivanov". Emily said. "I played trucks with Ivanov". "That's good, honey". Ed said, gently. "Ivanov's a nice boy". "You both are good for one another". Ed's harshness seemed to disappear with Emily. Ed loved Emily as well. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I ate all my soup". Emily said, eating a bit of her casserole. "It's all gone". "That's lovely, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "You did so well". "I am so proud of you, always". Bev blew Emily a kiss. Emily caught it, putting it in her heart. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""They're not releasing an annual percentage rate for the coming fiscal term". Ed said, grumbling. "That's not good". Bev said, eating her casserole. "They should have annual rates every term". "This means the majority of us are getting the salary cut, and won't have anything to pay by". Ed grumbled. He sounded harsh, strict, and snapping. Every time he spoke, his voice was the undertone of a yell, or a bellowing scream. He seemed as if he was threatening, and curt. He had been borderline threatening towards his ex-son, Ralph. He even cracked his knuckles when beginning to kick Ralph out of the house. As if he was going to punch Ralph. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""This has Dupette written all over it". Ed snapped. "If I take the salary cut, we're down to one dominant salary". "How much do you make at the office?". "Not a lot". Bev said. "Perhaps $21.50 a week". "That's more than some, as I have a license, although, it's a small office that I pay for". Bev pursed her lips a bit, at her husband's harshness, his abrasiveness. At the beginning, it was legitimate, although now, he was beginning to seem powerless, childish, even. Bev found this aggrandizement unattractive. She wanted someone that was compassionate, even keeled, and down-to-Earth. She wanted someone to have day sex with while her husband was at work. She needed a loose, round penis, and a compassionate man. Rocko was that someone. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Bev felt gracious for the life she had. Her daughter was...well...kind, strong, thoughtful. Although, there had to be more there than caring for her. There had to be more than her monotonous life as a counselor. Serving the needs of the dissonant wasn't too elating. Bev needed something more. She was happy with what she had now. Was she though? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Emily ate all of her casserole, having two servings, then sitting back, playing with her Barbie doll. "Sweetie, would you like some milk?". Bev asked, gently. "I know after eating, sometimes we need something cool to settle it". "Yes, please". Emily said. Bev got up, pouring some almond milk in a glass for Emily. "Thank you". Emily said. "Of course, honey". Bev said, kindly. "I'm so proud of you for using your manners". "That was very good". "Mommy, milk is white". Emily said, identifying the color. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""It sure is". Bev said, gently. "Very lovely, you're learning your colors, you're writing your name". "Mm, I'm so proud of you my amazing girl". Bev kissed Emily's cheek. "Mommy". Emily said, laughing, and playing. "I love you, baby girl". "Love you, baby girl". Bev said, gently, nuzzling Emily. "Eskimo kisses". Bev said, gently. She touched noses, Eskimo kissed Emily. "Here, sweetie, let's drink milk". Bev said, gently. She helped Emily drink her almond milk, raising the glass for her. Emily drank her almond milk, as Bev kissed Emily's forehead. Ed smiled, if even a forced smile, knowing the girls had a special relationship. They weren't just mother and daughter, they were friends. Bev sat back down, talking with Ed for a while, as Emily sang to herself, playing with her dolls. Emily also had a teddy bear she played with, hugging. It was a perfect family. Perfect enough. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"span lang="EN"*/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Later that night, Emily had gotten her shower, and stood in her pajamas. It was warm outside. At least it was warming up a bit. She saw the light of a cigarette, glowing as Bev smoked. Bev had on her silk negligee. The negligee was revealing, so Bev's breasts hung out a bit. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Emily went outside to see her mom. A cloud of smoke surrounded Bev, as she sat. "Mommy". Emily said. Her voice held a broken, underdeveloped, or developmentally delayed pattern, and cadence. It was as if she was abused, broken, forgotten, and injured, hurt by tragedy. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Hey, sweet pea". Bev said, gently. Bev's voice held a deep, raspy, yet feminine, womanly, sultry air to it. It was as if she was a suggestive voice on a man's message machine after an affair. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""How are you, love?". Bev said, gently. "Good". Emily said. Emily sniffled a little bit. "Mm, you just got your bath". Bev said, blowing out smoke. "You're almost ready for bed". "Yeah". Emily said. "How are you feeling?". Bev asked, gently. The deep voice surrounded, and comforted Emily, even if it was slimy, and unattractive. "Happy". Emily said. "That's nice". Bev said, gently. "I'm glad to hear you had a wonderful day". "Kind of". Emily said, looking down at her feet. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Why do you say that?". Bev whispered. Her lips looked dark red, maroon. Her lips glowed. "um...I...I don't know". Emily said. "Tell me". Bev whispered. "I had a nightmare at school". Emily said. "I cry". "I heard guns". "I am scared". Emily sniffled as a wet spot formed near her eye. "Mm, how did you feel?". Bev whispered, gently. "Sad". Emily said. "Sweetie, I understand it's been difficult". Bev said, gently. "You've experienced trauma". "Sometimes, when terrible things happen, we recall them in bad dreams, or flashbacks". That's called PTSD". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""What's that?". Emily asked. "Post traumatic stress disorder". Bev said, gently. "When we experience a bad event, we replay that event in our head, sometimes". "We hear sounds, we recall what we saw at the event". "You've lived through something very traumatizing". "You have those recollections". Bev smoked her cigarette. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""What happened to me?". Emily asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""When you were just 18 months old, your birth parents were killed in a terrorist attack". Bev whispered, gently. "There was a militant group, a terrorist group that attacked your home at night". "You tried saving your family". "You were the only survivor". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Did my mommy and daddy go to heaven?". Emily asked. "They did". Bev whispered. "Then when you were a year old, you were taken to an orphanage, and stayed there until you were adopted". "Was it nice?". Emily asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""They were a kind orphanage, they never abused you, although you were never rocked, you were never held, you were never cared for like you were with your birth parents". Bev whispered, gently. "You were very malnourished, you were dirty". "You were neglected until your other mommy, and daddy adopted you". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I love my other mommy and daddy". Emily said. "I talk to them". "Your adoptive parents were wonderful people". Bev said, gently. Silk rustled as Bev spoke. "They would hold you, they would sing to you". "They would play with you". "They taught you how to walk". "You were flourishing with them". "But, when they passed on, you regressed a bit". "What does that?". Emily asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Regress means you go backwards". Bev said, gently. "The trauma, and weight you felt when you lost your adoptive parents was too much for you, so you had trouble learning". "Why?". Emily asked. "When you were younger, you lost your main source of nurturing". Bev said, gently. "You were stressed, and malnourished". "When that happened you couldn't develop, or learn". "You lost some of the skills you were taught". "Oh". Emily said. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I am scared". Emily said. "What are you scared of, sweetie?". Bev whispered. "I am scared that I'm gonna die". Emily said. "Mm, you're on high alert now that you've experienced something terrifying". Bev said, gently. "How do you feel?". Bev asked, in a gentle whisper. "I want to be with my mommy and daddy in heaven". Emily said. "I don't wanna die". "I am scared". "I am sad all the time". "I don't eat". "I don't go to bed". "I see dark out". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Do you feel scared all of the time?". Bev whispered. "Yeah". Emily said. "What do you feel when you feel scared?". Bev asked, gently. "I hear thunder". Emily said. "I hear my heart". "My hands feel wet". "I can't stop walking". "I am thirsty". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Sweetie, sometimes, after we experience a scary event, we feel scared of the world around us". Bev whispered. "We have anxieties". "I know it's a scary time, but, know that daddy, and I are always here to protect you". "We love you, and we will always be by your side". "You are our gift". "Our love, our friendship will take us to great places, and can withstand anything". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I am gonna be ok?". Emily asked. "You'll be ok". Bev said, gently. "You are a true hero to everyone who loves you". "I am?". Emily asked. "You are". Bev whispered. "You rescued your birth family, you saved everyone in that plane crash". "You are my inspiration, and Daddy and I feel so safe around you, each time we see you". "You are our love". Bev blew out some smoke. Her boob hung out from her negligee. "Ever since you came to us, you've amazed us with your strength, your honesty, and your selflessness". Bev said, gently. "Because of you, daddy and I are better people". "You are my hero". "I know". Emily said. "You tell me all the time". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""It's true, love". Bev said, gently. "You are such an amazing person". "We feel honored that you are with us". "You're more responsible than me". She chuckled. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Emily sniffled, feeling as if she wanted to cry. The wet spot became more prominent now, although it was dark so her mom couldn't see it. "Do you miss your other mommy and daddy?". Bev whispered. "Yes". Emily said. "Well, it;s ok". Bev said, gently. "They are always with you, and they will be beside you through anything". "I know". Emily said. "I pray to my mommy and daddy all the time". "I see them when I get up". "Mmm, that's lovely, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "You keep them in your memory". "Yeah". Emily said. "Mmm, love". Bev set her cigarette down, brushing Emily's face. "You are so beautiful". "You are daddy and I's gift". "Everyday, I'm so thankful to have you". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I cherish you, dearly". Bev said, gently. "I know it's been difficult, sweetie, but, we'll get through it". "Remember how special you are to everyone". "I will". Emily said. They sat for some time. Then Bev spoke. "Did you play with Ivanov today?". Bev asked, gently. "Yes". Emily said. "We played trucks". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Has Ivanov been doing well?". Bev asked, gently. "Yeah, but, he cries". Emily said. "He cry". "My teacher hold him". "Mmm, well, sometimes Ivanov has flashbacks, and PTSD episodes himself". Bev said, kindly. "Why?". Emily asked. "He's been through trauma, just as you have, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "Ivanov was born in Russia in 1998, which was a long time ago". "But, when he was just a year old, his parents were killed in a terrorist attack". "He lived on the streets for a while, then was taken to a bad orphanage, where he was hurt often". "The orphanage director there died, and he was brought to the U.S. with his sister from the orphanage". "His sister died of heart complications, and years after he was adopted, his adoptive parents died". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""He was in the Children's Hospital, just as you were, then he was adopted by a loving family, who cares so much for him". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""He's like me?". Emily asked. "He is". Bev said, gently. "He's been through trauma, his birth parents passed on, he was in the Children's Hospital, he rescued everyone, exactly like you have". "That's why you're grouped together, often". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""He's my friend". Emily said. "You both are wonderful together". Bev said, gently. "Ivanov is a saint". Emily said. "He is, he was made a saint not too long ago". Bev said, kindly. "Why is Ivanov a saint?". Emily asked. "He performed miracles on some people". Bev said, gently. "He helped a blind man see, he helped the deaf hear, he healed some people". "He has the gift of god on his end". Bev admired Ivanov. Ivanov and Emily were both special children that were perfect for one another. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"They were genetically normal children, they weren't freaks of nature cursed with a genetic disorder, they were normal kids who had experienced pain. That pain disabled them, intellectually. But, they were still selfless, loving, successful, heroic kids. Bev felt she was so much safer, and better around these kids. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"It was getting late out now. Bev smoked the last of her cigarette. Emily's eyes began to fall, as she looked up. "Sweetie, why don't we go in to bed?". Bev said, gently. "Ok". Emily said. "Would you like more milk?". "To hear a story?". Bev asked, kindly. "Yes". Emily said. Bev took Emily inside after putting out her cigarette. They went in, reading a storybook, doing goodnight kisses. As Bev kissed Emily goodnight, she went in to her and Ed's room. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Today, Filburt was stressed as he walked in the door. He seemed to be a nervous wreck. "Oh my". "Oh my". Filburt said, coming in with a nervous breakdown. "What's wrong, babe?". Paula asked, gently. "Today Mr. Sampson…". "Oh, I'm nauseous". "I'm nauseous". Filburt said, shaking. He was clearly angry, and stressed. Filburt's boss made him angry at work. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""What happened, babe?". Paula asked, gently. "Mr. Sampson tracked mud in the conference room". "Of course I had to clean it up". "Oh, I'm nauseous". "I'm nauseous". Filburt said, seething with anxiety, and some anger. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Well, you've certainly come to be slower to anger". Paula said, gently. "You're better than you were last". "Mr. Sampson must have his brains up there for decoration". Filburt said. "Oh, dammit, I'm nauseous". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Why don't we lay down for a bit?". Paula said, gently. She helped Filburt over to the couch. Filburt laid down, taking some deep breaths. "Here, babe". Paula said, gently. She put some ice on Filburt's chest. Their toddlers, Missy and Shelbert, played in the other room. "Would you like some cookies?". Paula asked, gently. "You remembered to get the ones with chocolate chunks in them, right?". Filburt asked. "You know how I like my chocolate chunks". "Of course". Paula said, gently. She took out chocolate chip cookies with chocolate chunks in them, setting them beside Filburt. "This is nice, isn't it?". Paula reassured. "It is". Filburt said. "I don't know what I'd do without you". "Mm, well, you're my knight in shining armor". Paula said, smiling. "I would be lost without you". It was true. Filburt did have a tight grip over the household, and set plausible, strict rules, and disciplines for his toddlers. Of course, they'd be measured when the kids got older, but Filburt was in charge most of the time. Paula could hold her own as a steady woman, mother, and provider, but was lost without Filburt. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I love you, babe". Paula said, kissing Filburt on the mouth. They lingered for some time. Paula, however, didn't feel the love, didn't feel the sex, or the passion she first felt when they got married, or even had sex the first time. Paula pursed her lips, knowing something was better. There was another option for her, and maybe, perhaps, she could just peek out the window at something she desired. Perhaps a life where she could find something fulfilling. She was a smart, attractive woman, and an elite surgeon that had access to any sexually gratifying doctor, or surgeon she pleased. Aspan style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spansmart, suave, confident, compassionate man, with a deep voice, and a golden smile. A man who was sexually pleasing as well. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Paula knew she had access to these "perfect" men, although she chose someone who was within her tastes. He was a bit gluttonous, selfish, and had a simple minded, one track nature about him. She chose to have a secretive relationship with Heffer. Sure, Heffer wasn't gratifying in the least, he certainly was simple minded. Although he was sexually secure, confident, and very laid back, as well as compassionate. Paula had been in a relationship with Heffer for some time now, and chose to pursue this. She wanted a bit more for herself. She had desires to be met. She had a vagina to keep care of. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"She was going to satisfy those desires. She looked on at her husband, Filburt, as he laid, being so...underscored. He was attempting to fulfill those egregious needs by proprietorship of a woman. Sure, men had the glory, and the right mind of being a "hero". The aggrandizement was not without the hand of a smart, silent, sexually gratifying woman. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Paula went to draw Missy, and her brother Shelbert a bath. She needed more. She needed more than...this. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"span lang="EN"*/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Bev Bighead was a compassionate woman. If so, you're remembering Bev Bighead, Ed Bighead's wife from "Rocko's Modern Life". She's it. Today was a normal workday for Bev as she sat in her office, shuffling some papers, putting them away. Bev worked as a Deprivation counselor for children who had suffered from trauma in infancy, lack of love, and stimulation due to International Adoption, and loss of birth family. Bev was easygoing, kind, and loving. She loved working with her children./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Today was a good day. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"A young boy, named Robbie came into her office, holding his blanket, and his toy truck. He was in his pajamas. "Bev". Robbie said in a broken, underdeveloped, disabled speech cadence. "Hello, sweetie". Bev said, gently. Bev's voice sounded raspy, and deep, guttural from smoking. "I have truck, truck". Robbie said, showing Bev his toy cement truck. "That's very lovely, honey". Bev said, gently. She looked a bit closer at Robbie. Robbie had bags under his eyes, red in his eyes from lack of sleep. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Sweetie, did you have trouble sleeping?". Bev asked, gently. "Yeah". Robbie said. "I have a bad nightmare". "Oh, sweetie, I'm sorry to hear that". Bev said, gently. A pack of cigarettes sat on the table, near her lighter. Bev took Robbie's hands in hers. "What was your bad dream about?". Bev whispered, gently. "Bad man shoot my mommy". Robbie said. "Bad man stab my heart". "Bad man get shot". "Bad man is dead". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""That's terrible, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "How do your bad dreams make you feel?". "I'm scared". Robbie said. "I don't sleep". "How do you feel when you think about mommy?". Bev asked, gently. "Sad". Robbie said. "I understand it can be difficult". Bev said, gently. The rasp, and depth to her voice was heard. She was a heavy smoker. "You and your birth mother were so close when you were born". Bev said, gently. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Then when birth mom died, you were left all alone". "There was no one to hold you, no one to kiss you, tell you goodnight". "You were by yourself". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I miss mommy". Robbie said, feeling the presence, the love, and the nurturing his birth mother brought. "I know it was painful, being without anyone". Bev said, gently. "What did...what did my mommy used to do?". Robbie asked. "Your birth mom would hold you, she'd sing to you at night". Bev said, gently. "She would kiss you, you would smile, and laugh when she held you". "You loved birth mom". "She loved you". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I'm not smart". Robbie said, as a tear came down his eye. "You weren't given the love, and nurturing you needed". Bev said, gently. "You had your family taken away". "But never doubt yourself". "You are an amazing, wonderful, loving, strong person". "I will always love you". Bev comforted Robbie, taking his hands, telling him stories, making him feel appreciated. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Bev was kind, loving, and thoughtful. She truly was a loving grief counselor. She had an adoptive daughter, Emily, who had experienced trauma, herself. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Emily was born in Texas in 1998 to Mary, and John Witham. She was a normal, happy, playful baby. Mary, and John were both attacked, and killed by terrorists 17 months after Emily's birth. Emily lived on the streets, where she was attacked, and abused by violent street gangs. She was taken to an orphanage, and cared for, although the orphanage was dilapidated, and she wasn't stimulated, or given the love, or affection she needed, resulting in developmental delay, and intellectual disability. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"She was adopted by two parents, and cared for, until they were killed in a plane crash. From then on, Emily was taken to the Children's Hospital, and was there until Bev and Ed adopted her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Emily had regressed, although. When Bev adopted her, she could not lift her head, sit up, eat, talk, or swallow. With trauma therapy, and services, Emily was doing well. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Bev loved her daughter. She truly was an amazing, selfless person. She was so...hardworking. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Bev drove to Emily's school at the end of the day to pick her up. Bev smoked a bit in her car, as she drove. Bev considered herself a lucky woman. She had a great husband, a good sex life, although...just something about Ed. She needed the sex of someone who wasn't so...hard nosed. She wanted someone who was easy, compassionate, someone where the penis wasn't a tough penis, or a painstaking one. Bev wanted a man with a deep voice, suave camaraderie, and a simple love. Rocko was that someone. She'd been in a relationship with Rocko for some time now. She loved how simple, compassionate he was. He was her guilty pleasure. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"As Bev picked Emily up, Emily got in, holding her Barbie doll. "Mommy, this is Pink". Emily said, holding her doll. "That's lovely, sweetheart". Bev said, gently. "Did you have a good day at school?". "Yes". Emily said. "I played with Ivanov". "That's good to hear, love". Bev said, kindly. "I'm sure he's doing very well". "Ivanov is a Saint". Emily said. "I did recently hear that he was canonized". Bev said, gently. "He's a heroic, strong person, just as you are". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I'm a hero". Emily said. "Yes, you are". Bev said, gently. "You saved those people on the airplane, when you were with your adoptive parents". "I did?". Emily asked. "You did". Bev said, gently. "You were an amazing person, who helped everyone". "That's why you, and Ivanov were put together". "You both were heroes toward your birth family". "Ok". Emily said. Bev smiled, as Emily played in the backseat. Emily truly was selfless, and loving. Bev was proud to have a daughter like her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Emily, sweetie, are you thirsty?". Bev asked, gently. "Would you like some almond milk?". "No, I'm ok, mommy". Emily said. Emily held her doll, playing with her, singing songs. "Let's have some, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "I'm sure it's been a long day". "Ok". Emily said. Bev took an almond milk container out of her purse, giving it to Emily. "There you go, sweetie". Bev said, gently, and softly. "Are you ok?". "Yeah". Emily said. Emily sat, drinking her almond milk. Truly, it had been a long day. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Bev looked a bit more closely at Emily's eyes. Emily had bags under her eyes from sleeplessness. Emily had flashbacks, and PTSD episodes that made it hard for her to sleep at night. Bev felt bad for Emily. She knew, somehow, some way or another, she had to make it easier for Emily. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Bev eventually pulled into the driveway, helping Emily out of her carseat. "Mommy, I drank all my milk". Emily said. "I'm very proud of you, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "You are very magnificent". "I always love you". Bev kissed Emily's cheek. "Thank you, mommy". Emily said. They went in the house, seeing Ed at the table, reading some of the mail, doing paperwork. "Hey". Bev said, kissing Ed on the lips. "Hey". Ed said, as they kissed, lingering for some time. "Conglom O wants me to file for co-dependency on these returns". Ed said. "They should have substantial reasoning". Bev said. "If they put $54.00 down on the last return, that should be enough to cover next quarter". "Co-dependency is the least of the worries". Ed said. "At this rate, nothing will be smooth enough to cover anything". "Blow is what it is". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Emily went over, playing with her dolls. "I hate Dupette". Ed grumbled, in a harsh voice. "He's got us doing all kinds of crap for leniency". "What a dumbbutt". "Yes, I'm sure, honey". Bev sighed, hearing the least of her husband's tirades. Bev got out the pot, and began making some cheese, and Broccoli casserole for that night. Emily came out with her dolls, singing. If you remember Emily from the last "Rocko's Modern Life" story I wrote, you should remember she was a good singer. She connected notes, she harmonized, she knew how to change keys. She was mesmerizing. Bev admired Emily's singing voice, feeling entranced by it. Emily sang a song. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"span lang="EN""em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"You are my shining star"/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span lang="EN""Don't you go away"/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span lang="EN""I wanna be, right here where you are"/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span lang="EN""Till my dying days"./span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span lang="EN" /span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Emily sang, as she played with her doll, pretending her doll was "Pink", or "Linda Harpoon". "Sweetie, that was beautiful". Bev said, gently. Emily still played with her doll. "Emily". Bev said, gently, addressing her daughter by her name. Emily looked up at Bev, responding to her voice. "Mommy". She said. "Sweetie, I loved your singing". Bev said, gently. "It was very nice". "Thank you, mommy". Emily said. "You are so beautiful, yes you are". Bev said, kissing Emily's cheeks. "You are my amazing, wonderful, lovely baby girl". Bev said, gently, pinching Emily's cheeks. "Mommy loves you very much". Emily laughed, and played as Bev kissed her cheeks. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"It was almost time for the casserole to be put in the oven. Bev situated it, putting it in the oven. "Mommy, can I help?". Emily asked, coming over near the oven. "Thank you very much, sweetie, but, everything looks good for now". Bev said, gently. "It's too hot, sweetie". "Why don't we set the table instead?". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""The fork goes on the left side, and the spoon, and knives on the right". Bev said, gently, showing Emily how to set the table. "Why does it go there?". Emily asked. "Usually, most people are left-handed". Bev said, gently. "So we put the fork there". "That's weird". Emily said. "It is, although, it's the way it is". Bev said, chuckling. Emily laughed, and played with Bev. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Soon, the casserole was done, and it was time to eat. Bev, Ed, and Emily sat down, eating their casserole. There was a bit of a pause between them, as they ate. Then Ed spoke. "How was work?". He asked. "It wasn't that bad". Bev said, pursing her style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"My kids seem to be doing very well". "Usually, they're a bit saddened, but, they seem to be much happier, and lighter of whatever situation comes their way". "Hmm, that's good". Ed said. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I didn't expect for numerous attempts to be made regarding this year's quota". "Hmm, are they expecting a big fallout?". Bev asked. "They're not going to meet it". Ed grumbled. "Dupette is a little...muskrat". He censored himself around Emily, being sure not to swear. Emily ate her casserole, sitting her doll beside her. "Mommy, there's veggie in here". Emily said, referring to her casserole. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""You're doing a marvelous job, eating, sweetheart". Bev said, gently. "Oh, you look so beautiful". Bev smiled a gentle smile. "Thank you, mommy". Emily said. "Sweetie, did you tell daddy how school was, today?". Bev asked, gently. "I played with Ivanov". Emily said. "I played trucks with Ivanov". "That's good, honey". Ed said, gently. "Ivanov's a nice boy". "You both are good for one another". Ed's harshness seemed to disappear with Emily. Ed loved Emily as well. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I ate all my soup". Emily said, eating a bit of her casserole. "It's all gone". "That's lovely, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "You did so well". "I am so proud of you, always". Bev blew Emily a kiss. Emily caught it, putting it in her heart. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""They're not releasing an annual percentage rate for the coming fiscal term". Ed said, grumbling. "That's not good". Bev said, eating her casserole. "They should have annual rates every term". "This means the majority of us are getting the salary cut, and won't have anything to pay by". Ed grumbled. He sounded harsh, strict, and snapping. Every time he spoke, his voice was the undertone of a yell, or a bellowing scream. He seemed as if he was threatening, and curt. He had been borderline threatening towards his ex-son, Ralph. He even cracked his knuckles when beginning to kick Ralph out of the house. As if he was going to punch Ralph. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""This has Dupette written all over it". Ed snapped. "If I take the salary cut, we're down to one dominant salary". "How much do you make at the office?". "Not a lot". Bev said. "Perhaps $21.50 a week". "That's more than some, as I have a license, although, it's a small office that I pay for". Bev pursed her lips a bit, at her husband's harshness, his abrasiveness. At the beginning, it was legitimate, although now, he was beginning to seem powerless, childish, even. Bev found this aggrandizement unattractive. She wanted someone that was compassionate, even keeled, and down-to-Earth. She wanted someone to have day sex with while her husband was at work. She needed a loose, round penis, and a compassionate man. Rocko was that someone. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Bev felt gracious for the life she had. Her daughter was...well...kind, strong, thoughtful. Although, there had to be more there than caring for her. There had to be more than her monotonous life as a counselor. Serving the needs of the dissonant wasn't too elating. Bev needed something more. She was happy with what she had now. Was she though? /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Emily ate all of her casserole, having two servings, then sitting back, playing with her Barbie doll. "Sweetie, would you like some milk?". Bev asked, gently. "I know after eating, sometimes we need something cool to settle it". "Yes, please". Emily said. Bev got up, pouring some almond milk in a glass for Emily. "Thank you". Emily said. "Of course, honey". Bev said, kindly. "I'm so proud of you for using your manners". "That was very good". "Mommy, milk is white". Emily said, identifying the color. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""It sure is". Bev said, gently. "Very lovely, you're learning your colors, you're writing your name". "Mm, I'm so proud of you my amazing girl". Bev kissed Emily's cheek. "Mommy". Emily said, laughing, and playing. "I love you, baby girl". "Love you, baby girl". Bev said, gently, nuzzling Emily. "Eskimo kisses". Bev said, gently. She touched noses, Eskimo kissed Emily. "Here, sweetie, let's drink milk". Bev said, gently. She helped Emily drink her almond milk, raising the glass for her. Emily drank her almond milk, as Bev kissed Emily's forehead. Ed smiled, if even a forced smile, knowing the girls had a special relationship. They weren't just mother and daughter, they were friends. Bev sat back down, talking with Ed for a while, as Emily sang to herself, playing with her dolls. Emily also had a teddy bear she played with, hugging. It was a perfect family. Perfect enough. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"span lang="EN"*/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Later that night, Emily had gotten her shower, and stood in her pajamas. It was warm outside. At least it was warming up a bit. She saw the light of a cigarette, glowing as Bev smoked. Bev had on her silk negligee. The negligee was revealing, so Bev's breasts hung out a bit. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Emily went outside to see her mom. A cloud of smoke surrounded Bev, as she sat. "Mommy". Emily said. Her voice held a broken, underdeveloped, or developmentally delayed pattern, and cadence. It was as if she was abused, broken, forgotten, and injured, hurt by tragedy. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Hey, sweet pea". Bev said, gently. Bev's voice held a deep, raspy, yet feminine, womanly, sultry air to it. It was as if she was a suggestive voice on a man's message machine after an affair. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""How are you, love?". Bev said, gently. "Good". Emily said. Emily sniffled a little bit. "Mm, you just got your bath". Bev said, blowing out smoke. "You're almost ready for bed". "Yeah". Emily said. "How are you feeling?". Bev asked, gently. The deep voice surrounded, and comforted Emily, even if it was slimy, and unattractive. "Happy". Emily said. "That's nice". Bev said, gently. "I'm glad to hear you had a wonderful day". "Kind of". Emily said, looking down at her feet. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Why do you say that?". Bev whispered. Her lips looked dark red, maroon. Her lips glowed. "um...I...I don't know". Emily said. "Tell me". Bev whispered. "I had a nightmare at school". Emily said. "I cry". "I heard guns". "I am scared". Emily sniffled as a wet spot formed near her eye. "Mm, how did you feel?". Bev whispered, gently. "Sad". Emily said. "Sweetie, I understand it's been difficult". Bev said, gently. "You've experienced trauma". "Sometimes, when terrible things happen, we recall them in bad dreams, or flashbacks". That's called PTSD". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""What's that?". Emily asked. "Post traumatic stress disorder". Bev said, gently. "When we experience a bad event, we replay that event in our head, sometimes". "We hear sounds, we recall what we saw at the event". "You've lived through something very traumatizing". "You have those recollections". Bev smoked her cigarette. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""What happened to me?". Emily asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""When you were just 18 months old, your birth parents were killed in a terrorist attack". Bev whispered, gently. "There was a militant group, a terrorist group that attacked your home at night". "You tried saving your family". "You were the only survivor". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Did my mommy and daddy go to heaven?". Emily asked. "They did". Bev whispered. "Then when you were a year old, you were taken to an orphanage, and stayed there until you were adopted". "Was it nice?". Emily asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""They were a kind orphanage, they never abused you, although you were never rocked, you were never held, you were never cared for like you were with your birth parents". Bev whispered, gently. "You were very malnourished, you were dirty". "You were neglected until your other mommy, and daddy adopted you". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I love my other mommy and daddy". Emily said. "I talk to them". "Your adoptive parents were wonderful people". Bev said, gently. Silk rustled as Bev spoke. "They would hold you, they would sing to you". "They would play with you". "They taught you how to walk". "You were flourishing with them". "But, when they passed on, you regressed a bit". "What does that?". Emily asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Regress means you go backwards". Bev said, gently. "The trauma, and weight you felt when you lost your adoptive parents was too much for you, so you had trouble learning". "Why?". Emily asked. "When you were younger, you lost your main source of nurturing". Bev said, gently. "You were stressed, and malnourished". "When that happened you couldn't develop, or learn". "You lost some of the skills you were taught". "Oh". Emily said. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I am scared". Emily said. "What are you scared of, sweetie?". Bev whispered. "I am scared that I'm gonna die". Emily said. "Mm, you're on high alert now that you've experienced something terrifying". Bev said, gently. "How do you feel?". Bev asked, in a gentle whisper. "I want to be with my mommy and daddy in heaven". Emily said. "I don't wanna die". "I am scared". "I am sad all the time". "I don't eat". "I don't go to bed". "I see dark out". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Do you feel scared all of the time?". Bev whispered. "Yeah". Emily said. "What do you feel when you feel scared?". Bev asked, gently. "I hear thunder". Emily said. "I hear my heart". "My hands feel wet". "I can't stop walking". "I am thirsty". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Sweetie, sometimes, after we experience a scary event, we feel scared of the world around us". Bev whispered. "We have anxieties". "I know it's a scary time, but, know that daddy, and I are always here to protect you". "We love you, and we will always be by your side". "You are our gift". "Our love, our friendship will take us to great places, and can withstand anything". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I am gonna be ok?". Emily asked. "You'll be ok". Bev said, gently. "You are a true hero to everyone who loves you". "I am?". Emily asked. "You are". Bev whispered. "You rescued your birth family, you saved everyone in that plane crash". "You are my inspiration, and Daddy and I feel so safe around you, each time we see you". "You are our love". Bev blew out some smoke. Her boob hung out from her negligee. "Ever since you came to us, you've amazed us with your strength, your honesty, and your selflessness". Bev said, gently. "Because of you, daddy and I are better people". "You are my hero". "I know". Emily said. "You tell me all the time". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""It's true, love". Bev said, gently. "You are such an amazing person". "We feel honored that you are with us". "You're more responsible than me". She chuckled. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"Emily sniffled, feeling as if she wanted to cry. The wet spot became more prominent now, although it was dark so her mom couldn't see it. "Do you miss your other mommy and daddy?". Bev whispered. "Yes". Emily said. "Well, it;s ok". Bev said, gently. "They are always with you, and they will be beside you through anything". "I know". Emily said. "I pray to my mommy and daddy all the time". "I see them when I get up". "Mmm, that's lovely, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "You keep them in your memory". "Yeah". Emily said. "Mmm, love". Bev set her cigarette down, brushing Emily's face. "You are so beautiful". "You are daddy and I's gift". "Everyday, I'm so thankful to have you". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""I cherish you, dearly". Bev said, gently. "I know it's been difficult, sweetie, but, we'll get through it". "Remember how special you are to everyone". "I will". Emily said. They sat for some time. Then Bev spoke. "Did you play with Ivanov today?". Bev asked, gently. "Yes". Emily said. "We played trucks". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""Has Ivanov been doing well?". Bev asked, gently. "Yeah, but, he cries". Emily said. "He cry". "My teacher hold him". "Mmm, well, sometimes Ivanov has flashbacks, and PTSD episodes himself". Bev said, kindly. "Why?". Emily asked. "He's been through trauma, just as you have, sweetie". Bev said, gently. "Ivanov was born in Russia in 1998, which was a long time ago". "But, when he was just a year old, his parents were killed in a terrorist attack". "He lived on the streets for a while, then was taken to a bad orphanage, where he was hurt often". "The orphanage director there died, and he was brought to the U.S. with his sister from the orphanage". "His sister died of heart complications, and years after he was adopted, his adoptive parents died". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""He was in the Children's Hospital, just as you were, then he was adopted by a loving family, who cares so much for him". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""He's like me?". Emily asked. "He is". Bev said, gently. "He's been through trauma, his birth parents passed on, he was in the Children's Hospital, he rescued everyone, exactly like you have". "That's why you're grouped together, often". /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN""He's my friend". Emily said. "You both are wonderful together". Bev said, gently. "Ivanov is a saint". Emily said. "He is, he was made a saint not too long ago". Bev said, kindly. "Why is Ivanov a saint?". Emily asked. "He performed miracles on some people". Bev said, gently. "He helped a blind man see, he helped the deaf hear, he healed some people". "He has the gift of god on his end". Bev admired Ivanov. Ivanov and Emily were both special children that were perfect for one another. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"They were genetically normal children, they weren't freaks of nature cursed with a genetic disorder, they were normal kids who had experienced pain. That pain disabled them, intellectually. But, they were still selfless, loving, successful, heroic kids. Bev felt she was so much safer, and better around these kids. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN"It was getting late out now. Bev smoked the last of her cigarette. Emily's eyes began to fall, as she looked up. "Sweetie, why don't we go in to bed?". Bev said, gently. "Ok". Emily said. "Would you like more milk?". "To hear a story?". Bev asked, kindly. "Yes". Emily said. Bev took Emily inside after putting out her cigarette. They went in, reading a storybook, doing goodnight kisses. As Bev kissed Emily goodnight, she went in to her and Ed's room. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;" align="center"span lang="EN" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN" /span/p