Chapter 4
It wasn't like any other normal day in Townsville. The sky seemed a black, dark red, post-apocalyptic color. Bubbles, feeling each step like a weight above the next, helped the professor bring in groceries. Her heart felt as if it were being ripped out at each second. Without her sisters, Bubbles felt like nothing, and no one. This grief, this anguish brought on by Dick Hardly, as he plunged Townsville into darkness. "dad", she looked up at the professor, saying. "thank you very much darling". The professor said, in a gentle, almost whisper cadence, setting the groceries down. "If there's anything you need, just let me know". "um…I…I…". Bubbles began to say, although she could barely get any words out. "I…I…I…I just, I just, I feel like it was my fault". "it was my fault I didn't save them". "Darling". The professor said gently, bending down to stroke her cheek.
"you've been phenomenal". "I…I…I was phenomenal?". Bubbles asked. "yes". The Professor said. "you've worked miracles for both of us, and have helped us in ways you don't even realize". "What Hardly did was horrific, although you've been very perseverant". "you are talented, and have changed my life for the better". "I have, and will always, love you". The professor said. "I know". Bubbles said. "none of us are at fault". The professor said. "something tragic happened, and at this point, we'll have to let nature take its course". "I know". Bubbles said. Bubbles sat down, feeling hopeless. At this point, she felt like she wanted to scream, or cry. Or both. The one thing that had calmed her, or was helping to calm her, and ease her pain, was the professor's deep, sonorous voice, cuddling her, rocking her, as well as providing guidance, and ease. "I have always loved you, from the moment you first came". The professor said. "I know". Bubbles said.
The professor sat, stroking Bubbles' head, as she laid her head against his chest. "I remember you first came, you were so elated, and excited about everything". "I knew you were special". "I'm happy, I was happy because I had Buttercup, and blossom". Bubbles said. "you did". "although, you found joy in everything you came across". "You exuded such confidence, and knowledge in helping others, everyone grew to love you". The professor said. "I have always admired how kind you are". "thank you". Bubbles said. "I just…I just…I feel like, I feel lost without Buttercup, and Blossom". "I understand". The professor said. "I've felt that way, myself". "whatever happens, we're a family". "we will always have one another". "I know". Bubbles said. She felt the emptiness inside her pent up. Usually, this pain she felt, this feeling of despair, and failure, would automatically be comforted, repaired by her sisters. Now to add to this pain was emptiness. This was the emptiness that felt cold, harsh, and uncaring. This was the emptiness that felt a cool shiver down Bubbles' back. Every time she moved, no matter where she was, it felt freezing cold.
This freezing cold was felt in her heart, of all places, as the depression slowly set in. All of the memories, all of the laughter, all of the joy, all of the pain suddenly gone. It felt as if she was the only person, now. Sure, she had the professor. Although, where was she without her sisters? Bubbles remembered Buttercup breaking her chalk one day, and throwing it on the ground, making Bubbles cry. Yes, Buttercup used to torment her, and tease her, although, deep down, Buttercup truly loved Bubbles, and felt honored to help others alongside her. Bubbles went over to the couch, laying down. The professor came over, putting a blanket over Bubbles, handing her a water bottle filled with lemonade. "Here, sweetheart". He said gently, as Bubbles drank her lemonade. "Be sure to drink it slowly". "we don't want your throat hurting". "ok". Bubbles said. "I think Octi will help". The professor said, gently tucking Octi under Bubbles' arm.
"dad". Bubbles said, looking up at the professor. "can you sit with me?". "of course". The professor said in a soft whisper, sitting beside Bubbles, stretching out a bit on the couch. The news played, as oddly enough, there was no crime, anywhere. Too tired to do anything, too tired to exist, Bubbles drank her lemonade, barely keeping her head up. "here, let's get you another pillow". The professor said, putting another pillow underneath Bubbles, while getting her another blanket. "that should be comfortable". The professor said. "thank you, dad". Bubbles said, tiredly. "always, dear". The professor whispered. They sat, watching the news, as Bubbles drank her lemonade. It felt good knowing someone was there in her corner. It felt good knowing someone was at least there for her. someone, now that her sisters were gone. Bubbles' eyes fell, as she no longer focused her attention on the T.V.
Waking up again, she noticed the red sky had turned to black, and a somewhat purple color had been retained by it. "Blossom". Bubbles said, looking outside. The dark, the dark, and the redness of the sky was too much for her. It was too dark, too large, and too spooky. "Blossom". Bubbles said again, needing the support, needing the help of her sisters. Getting up, Bubbles heard the T.V. blare the 7:00 news, as she went outside, seeing the smoke of a cigarette billow upwards. "Dad". She said as the professor smoked a cigarette. "sweetheart, are you hungry?". The professor asked. "would you like some Spaghetti, or some pizza?". "I'm ok for now". Bubbles said. "Spaghetti would be a lovely meal". The professor said. "of course it is up to you". "Is it ok if we have spaghetti?". Bubbles asked. "I would love spaghetti". The professor said, kindly blowing smoke. "I just, I miss blossom, I miss buttercup". Bubbles said. She then, in the manner of a typical 5 year old, said, "I miss my big sisters". "I miss them as well". the Professor said. "you've been very brave throughout this process". His sonorous, gentle voice seemed to comfort Bubbles.
"I'm impressed by your strength". "remember each day is an opportunity to do something meaningful". "I know". Bubbles said. "I'm doing my best". "you're doing wonderfully". The professor said. "you've proven to be so much stronger than you know". "I have and always will be, proud of you". "thanks, dad". Bubbles said. The professor smiled, stroking Bubbles' head. "you are my greatest gift". "I will always cherish having a wonderful daughter such as you". The professor said. "thank you". Bubbles said. "I know I'll feel better". "of course". The professor said, gently. Bubbles may've felt unnerved at how dark it was, how big the city was, and how perhaps she couldn't do it alone. It was ok, although. The professor was there, holding her hand through the grieving process. With the professor, she actually felt secure. She truly did feel ok. Bubbles looked below, seeing the city, seeing everything shining, businesses still open, things still operation, and knew the professor would be there beside her. the professor put out his cigarette, standing up. "we should perhaps make the spaghetti". He said, gently. They went into the kitchen, as Bubbles stood by the professor, ready to cook alongside him. "Sweetheart, you should take it easy". The professor said, kindly. "here, we'll get you another pillow, and some lemonade". He helped Bubbles onto the couch, putting a blanket over her. He then tucked another pillow under her head. "I have some lemonade here for you". he said. Bubbles put her mouth on the sucker straw part of the bottle, as the Professor held the water bottle. "there you are, darling". He said, kindly. He patted her head, then going off to make the spaghetti.
The T.V. kept on, doing some commercial intervals about Fort Pitt Piano Company, and Dan Newlin injury attorneys. Bubbles watched all of them, feeling a drab, and drone of laziness come about her. She was scared, yes. She knew she needed her sisters. Something happened to them. What if something happened to her? What if something happened to the professor? Fear eluded her each, and every day. Now, sadness tended to elude her as well. Bubbles felt the exhaustion, felt the tired, as she was emotionally drained from something far worse than schoolwork. It was failure. She felt failure from not saving Townsville from Dick Hardly. She felt failure from not saving her sisters. They had passed on, and no matter what she tried, no matter what she did, it was over. Bubbles sank into the couch, unable to stay awake. She drank her lemonade, feeling her eyes fall again. She sniffled, feeling the tears come on as well, as she found some sort of comfort in drinking her lemonade. Her lemonade was the only thing that made her feel at least a scosh better.
"Bubbles". The professor said, gently. Bubbles looked up at him, opening her eyes from feeling somewhat exhausted. "Are you ready for dinner, sweetheart?". "yes". Bubbles said, getting down from the couch. Bubbles saw a plate of her favorite spaghetti, sitting as she readied herself to eat. "here you are, sweetheart". The professor said, gently, tying a napkin bib around Bubbles' neck. She went to grab the fork to eat, when the professor picked up the fork, twirling some spaghetti. "oh, um..". Bubbles just thought the professor was going to feed himself, when he began feeding her the spaghetti. "Oh, there you go, there you go, darling". The professor said. "There you are, sweetie". Bubbles ate, wondering just why the professor was doing this. It didn't make her feel bad, however. She felt as if, somehow she was better off. Better off in the way of being protected, heavily. Bubbles accepted it, knowing this was who she was. She was young, she wasn't capable, yet, so she had to be coddled, disabled in some ways. Although, was this holding her back? Was this disabling her? Bubbles had no way of knowing.
"There, let's just sprinkle in some cheese, if we're feeling particularly crazy". The professor said, putting a bit of parmesan cheese on her spaghetti. He then spoon fed Bubbles again. "it's good". Bubbles said. "I'm glad you enjoy it". The professor said. He spoon fed Bubbles another bite. "I enjoy it, too". "um… can I have more?". Bubbles asked. "Of course, dear". The professor said, kindly. He then got some more from the pot he was making, putting some in Bubbles' bowl. "If you don't enjoy the news, we can always put on Mr. Elmer". The professor said. "I'm ok". Bubbles said. "Spaghetti always was my favorite dish". The professor said. "my mother used to make it when I was a boy". "she did?". Bubbles asked. "she did". The professor said, feeding her another spoonful. "what was it like when you were little?". Bubbles asked, as the professor ate some of his spaghetti. "Well, there wasn't as much technology as there is today". The professor said. "We had to rely on the simple things that made efficiency possible". "what kind of things were there?". Bubbles asked. "We didn't have computers, or cell phones". "we oftentimes would write to the person we wanted to communicate with long distance". The Professor said. "if we wanted to do research, we would go to the local library". "there were a lot of different things". "oh". Bubbles said. "some would say it was a simpler time, although it was partially complicated, as things weren't as easily accessed". The Professor said. "although music was popular". "that's cool". Bubbles said. "in some ways it is". The professor said. Bubbles finished her bowl, thanks to the professor, and it was time to clean up. The professor wiped her chin with a napkin, kissing both of her cheeks.
Bubbles stood up, coming over to help clean up the dishes, as the professor started to work on that. "I'm fine for now, you've done more than you will ever know". The professor said, gently, as Bubbles came over. "ok". Bubbles said, going back to the couch. The professor put Mr. Elmer on, as Bubbles sat, drinking her lemonade. Mr. Elmer's puppet shows were nice, although, something didn't feel right about watching Mr. Elmer. Bubbles usually watched Mr. Elmer with her sisters. It didn't feel right going through it all…alone. Bubbles felt her eyes fall, as she laid down, coming to with sleep. Suddenly, her mind seemed to drown out Mr. Elmer, and the puppets. She seemed to drown out everything else. It was just, not now, not then. It was…fuzzy…blurry.
"Sweetheart". The professor said. Bubbles looked up at him, as he stroked her head. "I think it's the right time for bed". "Are you ready?". The professor said, gently. Bubbles stirred awake, looking around. It was now 10:30, as she sat up. It was still late. "I wan' lemonade". Bubbles sniffled, as tears streamed down her cheek. "Lemonade". She said. "of course, honey". "it's just over here". The professor smiled, handing her lemonade bottle. Bubbles drank, feeling the tired overtake her. She cried yes, she felt depressed. Although now, she felt tired. She felt as if she would have one feeling, then another feeling would come along, take its place for a minute, until the receding feeling came on. This also happened with her thoughts. Bubbles sat, yawning as she drank her lemonade. She was too tired to close her eyes. She was too tired to fall asleep. Yet, she felt anxious, energetic, and as if she wanted to fight crime. How could she? How could she protect the city when it felt her body was grinded to a halt by fear? How could she function properly when she felt as if she wanted to end her life? She felt fear constantly. She felt as if she wanted to help others, she wanted to protect, although she would tense up before doing anything.
"let's go to bed". the professor said, kindly. Bubbles took her lemonade in with her, as she got in the other side of the professor's bed. The professor got in, stretching his legs out, as Bubbles down below, hugged the side of his leg, feeling calm, and comfort from it. She felt the fear melt away, as she snuggled up close to the professor, and his leg. She felt the tired set in, as sleep overtook her. her eyes fell, fluttering, as she now, with the light turned out, saw only darkness, and her own calming mind, her own calming eyes as she fell asleep.