Sailor got up, seeing Edd and Marie talk out on the porch. Their morning coffee was out there, as cigarette smoke billowed upwards. Sailor went outside, still in her pajamas. Edd smoked his cigarette. "Hello, sweetie". Edd said, gently. He put his cigarette down in the ashtray.
Hi". Sailor said, coming outside. "How are you?". "Did you sleep well?". Edd asked, with kindness. "Kind of". Sailor said. "I saw my family". "That's lovely". Edd said, gently. "Did you dream about them?". "Yes". Sailor said. "I saw my family with my sister, and they hugged me". "They told me everything was going to be ok". "That's good". Edd said, gently. "Remember, your fa"mily is always beside you". "Their memory will be there for years to come". He smiled a gentle smile. "I know". Sailor said. "Hey, love". Marie said, gently, stretching back on her porch lounger. "Hi, Marie". Sailor said. "You look beautiful". Marie said, kindly. "I love those jammies". "Thank you". Sailor said. "Sweetheart, you always look beautiful". Edd said, gently. "So radiant". "You tell me every day". Sailor said. "It's true, Sailor". Edd said, gently. "You are beautiful".
"Mm, you are pretty". Marie said, gently. "You should find a nice boy you can confide in". "Really?". Sailor asked. "Of course, that's how we started". Marie said, looking at Edd, with affection. "But, I don't know". Sailor said. "Boys in my school don't like girls yet". "Give it some time". "They will". Marie said, gently. "It's complicated at first, but, when you develop feelings for someone, you both will notice". Edd said, gently. "Are there any boys you're friends with?". "No". Sailor said. "I know a couple of people in my class, and there's this one person, John Klan, and, we went out for ice cream one time". "He talked to me about school, and homework". "He's really smart".
"That's so adorable". Edd said, gently. "It is". Marie agreed. "Mmm, our sweet girl, has a boyfriend". Marie teased, tickling Sailor's chin. "Mmm, what happens when you go for ice cream?". Marie asked, gently. "We just talk". Sailor said. "We talk about homework, and what books we're reading, and facts that we learned". "We also talk about the teacher". "Mm, that's so cute". Marie said, gently. "How do you feel when you're with Johnathan?". Edd asked, gently. "Ok, I guess". Sailor said. "I don't really feel anything". "We're desk partners". "That's lovely". Edd said, gently.
"If you ever do have feelings toward him, be honest with it". Edd said, gently. "Tell him how you feel, and how beneficial this friendship is to you". "You both are amazing kids, and you'll benefit from each other". "I think this'll work for the best". Edd smiled a gentle smile.
"Is he handsome?". Marie asked, gently. She smiled a sly smile. "I didn't really notice". Sailor said. "He's ok, I guess". Marie and Edd giggled excitedly. "She's got a boyfriend". Marie said, excitedly. "She certainly does". Edd smiled. Sailor rolled her eyes. "If you want, you can invite him over anytime, for a date". Edd said, gently. "We'd love to meet him". Sailor huffed, getting irritated. "No". Sailor said. "He has homework to do". Edd and Marie laughed. "Girl, you're too hilarious". Marie said, gently. "Don't worry, I reacted the same way when my parents pestered me". "Ok". Sailor said. "They didn't think it was funny, like you guys do?". "They weren't immature, like we are". Edd said.
Sailor looked down, thinking about John Klan. He was smart, and funny in a subtle, intelligent way. What distinguished him, although, was his character. He, like Sailor, was a great leader, and was respected by everyone. He may not have been idolized, and goo goo'd over by
everyone, not like Ana McGinnis was, but he was respected.
"Mmm, you have to take your medicine". Marie said, gently, with tiredness in her voice. "We'll go in, and get some milk". "I'll warm it up if you need". "Ok". Sailor said. Marie smiled, kissing Sailor's cheek. "I love you, babe". She said, gently. "I love you, too". Sailor said. "I love you very much". Edd smiled, talking in a soothing voice. "I know". Sailor said. "You're my hero". Marie said, orgasmically. She kept her swoon over Sailor down, as she felt the love come forth. "You're mine as well". Edd said, gently. Edd nuzzled Sailor. "Hero". Sailor said. "Yes, my hero". Edd said, smiling. "Mmm, so strong, and beautiful". Marie said, stretching back a bit, feeling orgasmic again. Marie puckered her lips, looking to kiss Sailor. Sailor looked on, nodding, feeling kind of ok with things.
Marie looked on at Edd nuzzling, and playing with Sailor. Edd was being friendly toward Sailor. Marie loved Edd. Of course, the doctor said 6 weeks without sex, but, she felt as if she wanted sex now. She wanted Edd to kiss her, touch her breasts, and celebrate their union. Ok, Marie was addicted to sex, but, she truly did love Edd, and his mind. She wanted some private time with him, in a hot tub under the stars, or a topless beach.
"Sailor". Marie said, gently. Sailor looked up at Marie from talking with Edd. "yes?". Sailor said. "It's time to get medicine". Marie said, gently. "Let's warm up some milk, and we'll take it". Sailor looked up at Edd. "just try it, and see what you think". Edd said, gently, with reassurance. Edd was the gentle one, to Marie's firm. Edd was the soft, gentle, snuggly reassurance to Marie's firm, yet kind order.
"Ok". Sailor said, getting up. "You ready, pumpkin?". Marie said, gently. "Let's take medicine, ok?". Sailor followed Marie into the small kitchen, as Marie put some chocolate milk in a mug, then put it in the microwave. The microwave came down, as the milk was ready. Marie took it out, putting it on the table. She took out Sailor's Celexa pill, putting it on a napkin. "Here you go, babe". Marie said, gently. Sailor took her Celexa, honestly, and with enthusiasm. Sailor didn't have any qualms with taking her medicine. She liked Celexa, knowing it helped her be the person she wanted to be. She knew a big wave of excitement, and talkativeness would come, but she didn't mind it.
"Mmm, you are so heroic". Marie said, gently. "You will always be loved". She whispered, stroking Sailor's face. "Thank you". Sailor said. "Sweetie, why don't we have a special day". Marie said, gently, yet tiredly. "You and I". "We'll do whatever you like". "I was going to see what Edd wants to do". Sailor said. "Of course". Marie said, gently. Sailor went outside, seeing Edd smoke his cigarette. "Sweetheart, did you get medicine?". Edd asked, gently. "Yes". Sailor said. "Wonderful". Edd said, gently. "I was looking through these papers, and saw a cheese festival in Manchuen". "They have a tour through their factory, we'll have a picnic lunch in the vineyard, that sounds fun". "Yes". Sailor said. "Can we do it?".
"Of course". Edd said, gently. "It's dry, so there's no alcohol, but there is cranberry juice there you'll like". "Ok". Sailor said. "It'll be just the three of us". Edd said, gently. "Ok". Sailor said. Edd kissed Sailor's cheek, as Sailor looked up at Edd. There was a wet spot near Sailor's eye, as she looked up at Edd. "Sweetheart, are you ok?". Edd asked, gently. "I'm fine". Sailor said, holding her milk. "Let me know if you need anything, darling". Edd said, gently. "Ok". Sailor said. "I love you". Edd said, gently, kissing Sailor's cheek. "I love you, too". Sailor said. "I'm going to get ready". Sailor said. "Why don't we stay in our jammies". Edd said, gently. "That way you can stay comfortable if you'd like". "Ok". Sailor said.
Marie came out of the bedroom, wearing a black maternity dress, and flats. Edd wore a red, buttoned down, silk shirt, and his typical black beanie hat. "Mm, sweetie, you look beautiful". Marie said, gently. She kissed Sailor's cheek. "Thank you". Sailor said. "You do look lovely, sweetie". Edd said, gently. "Are you ready for our trip?". "Yes". Sailor said. "I can't wait to see what kind of cheese they have". "If they have Havarti Cheese, I'll do a dance". Edd and Marie smiled, sympathetically.
It was typical for Sailor, on her medicine, to feel excited, and happy, energetic, while everyone around her was soft, and sympathetic. Sailor did not mind this. She felt happy that everyone was nice. She knew things would get better for her. They would, and she'd be able to move forward with things.
"Here, sweetie, I have some milk for you in case you get thirsty". Edd said, gently. He gave Sailor a container of milk. "Thank you". Sailor said. "There you go, sweetie, let's just get your face a little bit here". Edd said, gently. Edd wiped Sailor's face with a wipie. "There you go, there you go, sweetie". Edd said, gently. He kissed Sailor's cheek. "I love you".
"I love you too". Sailor said, as she got in the car. She put her belt on. "Are you ok, babe?". Marie asked, gently. "You don't need a snack, or a drink?". "I'm fine". Sailor said. "Mm k, just let me know if you need anything". Marie said, gently. "Ok". Sailor said.
Edd got in to drive, as Marie sat on the passenger's side. They drove down the street a ways, driving past various places, various things until they got on the main stretch of highway. Marie laid her head against the seatrest. She looked back at Sailor, who was talking with Edd. "Sweetie". Marie said, gently, with softness to her voice. Sailor looked up at Marie. "You are an amazing person I've been so lucky to meet". Marie said, gently, and softly. "You are so strong, so
kind, you've changed our lives so much". "I don't know where we'd be without you". "You are our miracle". There was a softness to Marie's voice. "I've always loved you, ever since you first came to us". "You are the best thing that's happened to us". Marie looked back at Sailor. Her voice sounded gentle, and motherly. "You make us, us". Marie said, gently, with a soft hum. "Thank you". Sailor said. "I'm happy to have you guys, that care about me". "We love you so much". Marie said, gently. "I love you, too". Sailor said.
Marie sat back, looking at Sailor, admiring her. Marie admired Sailor's beauty, her heroism, her honesty, Sailor truly was a loving person. Marie knew Sailor would be a great guardian to her baby, her Jeremiah. Marie loved Sailor with all of her being, and wanted to help Sailor in any way she could.
Sailor looked up at Marie, knowing Marie was pregnant. Sailor knew Marie was pregnant. She could sense it. Sailor felt as if she was part of the process. She felt as if she was part of their life. Sailor felt appreciative, she felt as if she was healing, slowly, but surely, and making it back. She'd come back to her thoughts, soon. She just had to get there.
Eventually, they got to the Vineyard. It was a nice Vineyard, with beautiful landscapes. There were different beverages there instead of wine. Again, it was a dry Vineyard. Edd, Marie, and Sailor got out. "Mmm, this is nice". Marie said, getting out. "I like how spread out it is". "They have a Spring, we could have our time". Marie purred in Edd's ear. "Yes, that would be nice". Edd said, suggestively. They kissed one another on the lips. Sailor came out, being talkative, telling stories, as she usually would, glad that her medicine was working. Although, in the corner of her eye was a wet spot. She was secretly hiding a pain, but she kept on going.
"Sweetie, are you ok?". Marie asked, gently. "I'm fine". Sailor said, continuing to talk. There was a wet spot there in Sailor's eye. She was upset about something. "They have a Brie Wheel, a Havarti Cream Cheese palette, and a Danish al Rangon that is said to be delicious". Edd said, gently, reading the brochure. "That certainly sounds good, I can't wait". They made their way over to the villa which had its display open for survey. Different cheeses, and meats sat, spread out. "Mmm, this looks fine". Marie said, looking down at the meat. "Is that Salami?". Sailor asked. "This is prima vera". Edd said, gently. "It's a special kind of meat used in pastramis, and strombolis". "Let's try it". Sailor tried the Prima Vera, eating it. It did taste good.
"It is really good". Sailor said, feeling the flavor come in. "it has an earthy, spicy flavoring to it". Edd said, gently. "I like it". "It's kind of like cajun turkey". Sailor said. "That it is". Edd said, gently. They tried more meats, and cheeses as Edd and Marie whispered to one another. It was between them, as they walked through, holding hands. They kissed one another on the lips, lingering for some time. "Sailor, honey, are you thirsty?". Edd asked, gently. "Would you like some milk?". "Some orange juice?". "I'm ok". Sailor said. Sailor looked over the meats, and cheeses, surveying them. "Here you are, just in case you need some". Edd said, gently. He tucked the milk container in her jacket pocket. "Let's get your face again, sweetie". He wiped her face with a wipie, rubbing her cheeks. He then kissed her cheek. "I love you". He said, gently. "I love you, too". Sailor said.
They walked around, trying meats, trying cheeses, trying various things, as the afternoon came, and it was time for their picnic lunch. They sat down on bean bags, cushions, as an assortment of cheeses, a baguette, and angel hair pesto was there. There was also orange juice with some pulp. "This is lovely". Edd said, gently. "Mm, it's pretty neat". Marie said. "The assortment of cheeses are nice". "I could've never afforded this on my salary alone". "Thanks, babe". She kissed Edd on the lips. "Of course". Edd said, in a suggestive register. They continued kissing. Sailor ate the cheeses, and some of the pesto that was in there.
"You're doing wonderfully". Edd said, gently, stroking Sailor's forehead. "Why?". Sailor asked. "You're eating more, you're enjoying yourself". Edd said, gently. "It's nice to get out every once, and again". "Yes". Sailor said. "We'll split some, you and I". Edd said, gently. "We like our pesto". He put some in a bowl, giving Sailor a fork. "Why doesn't Marie like pesto?". Sailor asked. "She's a picky eater, sometimes". Edd said, winking at Sailor. "That's true". "I am". Marie said, chuckling. "I love how I have someone that will do pesto with me". Edd said, gently. "My mom used to make Pesto". Sailor said. "It was good". "She would make it all green".
"Your mother was an excellent cook". Marie said, gently. "She was an amazing person who knew how to do so much". "My mom used to make really good things". Sailor said. "She would make Chicken Chili, Pesto, Cajun Shrimp pasta, spaghetti, stuffing, she knew how to make everything". "When her house got sold, I lost everything, and I don't know how to make any of her things". "I miss her food though".
"I'm sure it's take-out's nothing like it". Marie said, gently. "I don't know what to do". Sailor said. "Things will work themselves out". Edd said, gently. "Perhaps you and I could take a cooking class, and we'll see if we can remake some of your mother's things". "Ok". Sailor said. "I do pretty well, cooking". Edd said, gently. "I make things for Marie". "Mm, the only thing I know how to make is stovetop mac and cheese". Marie said. "Even then, I burnt the bottom of the pan".
"You do pretty well". Edd said. "I'm probably the worst at it". Sailor ate some of her pesto. "It has been a nice day, hasn't it?". Edd said, gently, with kindness. "Are you having fun?". "It's really neat". Sailor said, eating some of her pesto. "I figured I'd take the family out for a bit". Edd said, gently. "It'd be great for Marie and I's relationship". "That's good". Sailor said. The wet spot that was near her eye, was getting more prominent. It turned into a tear. Edd noticed this. "Sweetheart, is everything ok?". Edd asked, gently, softly. "No". Sailor said, quietly. "What's troubling you?". Edd asked, gently.
"I keep thinking about some police officers that are mean". Sailor said. "They are mean". "Some of them are bad people, and there's people that hate the police, and people that are behind the police, and when those people argue, they try to kill each other". "Everybody hates each other". "I almost got hurt one time at a protest". "I wasn't even doing anything".
"Well, unfortunately, that's what our world has come to". Edd said, gently. He rubbed Sailor's back. "I know you're doing your best to solve things, and come to an understanding, but, sometimes, these things don't work out". "It's nothing to worry about, and be ashamed of".
"Sometimes, we just need to focus our mind elsewhere to find true peace". Edd rubbed Sailor's back, gently. "I know you see things sometimes, and talk to different kinds of people in different situations". Edd said, kindly. "It's perhaps depressing, hearing those stories, helping different people overcome extreme hardship, trying to solve complex problems". "It can take its toll".
"I don't know, I just, It's just kind of hard, and I have a lot to do for someone my age". Sailor said. "You do". Edd said, gently. "You've had to face a lot of adult situations". "Sometimes, we just think it would be more peaceful to relax, and be young". "I guess". Sailor said. "I'm trying my best". "I see people who have it hard". "I don't know". "I kind of have my own thing to deal with".
"Perhaps it would be best to take a break from anything stressful such as". Edd said, gently. "Maybe you and I can try a new restaurant, or take a trip". "We'll find something". "Take some time for yourself, and recuperate". "Eat some soup, lay with bunny". Edd mentioned. Sailor's stuffed rabbit her mom gave her as a toddler. "My mom gave me my bunny when I was 3". Sailor said. "I've kept it by me ever since". "That's special, honey". Edd said, gently. "I know he means a lot to you". Edd kissed Sailor's forehead.
"I love you very much, sweetie". Edd said, gently. "I wouldn't want you to feel traumatized, or stressed, saddened by the situations you hear of, or experience". "You and I hold a special bond that unites us". "We'll change the world together, as friends". Edd rubbed Sailor's back. "Are you ok, sweetie?". Edd asked, gently. "Do you need anything?". "No". Sailor said. Edd smiled, admiring Sailor, as she ate. Sailor was an amazing person. She was seeing the realities of the world too early. She needed to slow down, and take it easy.
"Babe, you look sad". Marie said, gently. Sailor looked up at Marie. "I'm ok". Sailor said. "I just...I'm just kind of tired, that's all". "Mm, Sails, it'll be ok". Marie said, gently. She squeezed Sailor's hand. "I love you so much". She kissed Sailor on the cheek.
"What are you tired of?". Marie whispered, gently. Her lips, her red, cherry, cracked lips, decorated with lipstick, moved primely as she whispered. "I'm tired of being in really scary situations". Sailor said. "Each day, when I volunteer, I hear people's stories of being abused, or I see handicapped people, who are picked on, and rejected by their families". "I see people who are attacked by angry dogs, I see people who have down Syndrome being attacked, and stabbed because they're different". "I see all kinds of things". "I just...I don't know what to do anymore". "I'm kind of tired". Sailor said. "I'm in a not-so-nice place".
"That can be exhausting after a while". Edd said, gently. "Sometimes, the proper thing to do is take some time for yourself". "You certainly deserve it". "I guess". Sailor said. "My heart isn't doing good". "Sweetie, that's too bad". Marie said, gently. "Mm, how does it feel?".
"The stab injury spread to another part of my heart". Sailor said. "It widened, and there's bleeding". "I have to get surgery to fix it". "If I don't, my heart could beat differently, and I could die". Sailor sounded stressed at this particular moment. "Oh, sweetie". Edd said, gently. "What hospital are you getting the surgery?". "St. Thomas Moore hospital". Sailor said. "My heart hurts
every second of the day". "It burns sometimes, and I can't walk without it hurting". "It's really bad, but I just ignore it now". "It's just something that I'm stuck with". "Sweetie, do you still take heart medicine?". Edd asked, gently. "Bayer?". "I still take Bayer". Sailor said. "It kind of helps, but, I have to take Advil, or Tylenol for the pain".
"I brought some Bayer with us, to take later". Edd said, gently. "I also have some milk for later". "Are you enjoying your Pesto?". "Yes". Sailor said. There was a tear near the corner of Sailor's eye. She kept eating her Pesto. Her eyes looked as if she was going to cry, but she still was calm, and talkative. The wet spot was there. Marie noticed Sailor's wet spot that became a tear. "What's wrong, honey?". Marie asked, gently, softly. "Nothing". Sailor said, turning her head, finishing her lunch. "Why?".
"Tell me the truth". Marie said, gently, whispering. "You look sad, sweetie". "Oh, well, I'm just tired is all". Sailor said. She still retained her cheery, talkative persona, Celexa brought on, even if she was speaking with truth, and sadness. "I've seen things, and I've been through things normal 10 year olds don't have to go through". Sailor said. "There was this one time, I was in the hospital, and I had to share a room with someone who had Autism". Edd and Marie listened.
"His name was William, he was a young adult, but he had so many injuries from being hurt in the Group Home his family put him in". "His family doesn't love him, and threw him in there". "He got thrown out of the group home, and he died that night of a stab wound".
"That's terrible". Edd said, gently. "Yeah". Sailor said. "I just...I've seen people with disabilities get killed by people, while their bodies were being burned". "I've seen women be abused by their husbands, I've seen kids my age have acid thrown on their faces". "I've seen all kinds of things where it was bad". "I've heard all kinds of stories". "I'm just tired of hearing it". "I feel like I've had enough".
"Sweetheart, that's why I think it's best to take some time for yourself". Edd said, gently. "You should do something you enjoy doing". "You're growing up too quickly".
"Sweetie, I know you're doing your part in making the world a better place, and dealing with certain feelings, but, you're a bit young to be experiencing that much suffering". "Take some time for yourself". "Make time for yourself to heal, and grow". "Focus on your needs". "You matter". "You are important". "It's ok to unwind, and be content".
"I know". Sailor said. "I just want to help people". "I want to do right, and make sure everyone's happy".
Edd took Sailor's hands in his. "I understand, sweetie". Edd said, gently. "You've done so much, already". "Let's take some time to enjoy ourselves". "We'll come home, we'll have dinner, we'll unwind, lay on the couch, eat some of our favorite foods". "Use this time to recuperate". "Can I play with my friends?". Sailor asked, looking up at Edd. "of course, sweetie". Edd said,
kindly. "Just so long as you take care of you". Edd kissed Sailor's cheek. "We'll get you new pajamas to wear, new clothes, and new bedsheets". Edd said, gently. "Why?". Sailor asked. "We'll give you a fresh start". Edd said, kindly. "You need to take some time for you". "It'll benefit you, sweetie". "Trust me".
"Ok". Sailor said. "I can do it". "I'll try my best". "I love you, sweetie". Edd said, gently, with a softness to his voice. "We'll get through this trauma". "We'll work as friends to alleviate any stress". "I know". Sailor said. "I'll do what I can". "Let me be your sounding board". Edd said, kindly. "We'll work through it". He nuzzled Sailor. Sailor felt comfortable, even if a tear streamed down her cheek.
Sweetie, you've been through so much trauma". Marie whispered, gently. She stroked Sailor's arm. "It's hard working through it". "Struggling through it all".
"Kind of". Sailor said. "If you ever need anything, I'm always here for you". Marie said, gently. "I will always love you so much". "You are my hope".
"Ok". Sailor said, finishing up her pesto. "Sweetie, let's drink some orange juice". Edd said, kindly. Edd poured her a glass. Sailor drank her orange juice, looking around. A single tear dropped from her eye. "I love you, baby". Marie whispered. She kissed Sailor's cheek. "You're my amazing best friend". Marie smiled, kissing Sailor's cheek again. "Thank you". Sailor said. "You are, too". Marie and Edd smiled, holding hands. It truly was a good time to be there, and to be family.
Edd had a surprise for Marie. He went out, and bought something special for Marie that would take their relationship to a whole other landscape. He made enough money to support both of them. Now, he was able to buy her a ring, and make things official. He just had to wait for the perfect time to propose.