Chapter 4
The next morning, Samus woke up, as she looked at the t.v. in the living room. "Hopefully, he won't notice that it's broken". Samus said to herself. She sat, fiddling with her sippy cup, as she drank from it….feeling the bump near her eyes. That, and she could hardly open her eyes. She just babied it, as she played with her sippy cup. Diesel eventually came from down the hall to the living room. "Hey, kiddo". Diesel said, gently with softness. "Hi". Samus said, as she looked up at Diesel. "Hey, baby girl….good morning, how's it hangin?". Diesel asked, kindly with gentleness. "Fine, I guess". Samus said. Diesel chuckled a bit, as he kissed Samus on the forehead. "Let's see if the mornin' news came on….there might be somethin' about the stocks goin' up". Diesel said, gently. Diesel turned on the T.V., to find that there was a blue screen, with no inputs. "I…I…I accidentally did something with the T.V.". Samus said, sniffling. "I'm sorry…". Diesel noticed there was sadness in Samus's voice. "Hey, it's ok, baby". "It happens sometimes". "We'll just say a lil elf did it". Diesel said, softly with friendly gentleness. Diesel smiled a soft, kind smile as he looked at the T.V. fixing it.
"You look so beautiful sweetie". "You look amazing for the morning". "I love seeing you". Diesel said, gently with softness. "Thank you". Samus said. "Hey, I noticed your face is a bit bruised". "Your eye looks red". Diesel said, gently with softness. "I've been scratching it for a while…and it is swelling". "I almost can't see out of it because it's so swollen". Samus said.
"You might have Pink Eye, sweetie". Diesel said, softly with kindness. "That comes with being in contact with germs". "It'll be ok, baby". "I have some medicine we can take…we can go to the doctor's, an' get it looked at". "It's ok, baby". Diesel smiled a gentle smile, as he kissed Samus's cheek, gently. "You'll be just fine". Diesel assured, kindly. "Y'know, the robotic eye I got came from burning my real eye with a cigarette". "Fell right out, then I went, got surgery, an' had it replaced". "Tell ya, it was as dark as crappola out there, and I missed my mouth". "Dumbest thing a guy can do, but hey, I did it". Diesel said, kindly.
"Pink eye is nothin". "We'll fix it, baby girl". Diesel said, gently. Samus nodded, as she drank from her sippy cup. "Ok". She said, sniffling. "Shh, don't cry baby girl". "Daddy will make it better". "Drink milkie and we'll see the doctor". Diesel assured, gently. "Ok". Samus said.
Diesel kissed Samus's cheek, gently as he stroked her cheeks. "Want some breakfast, baby?". "I got some yogurt with cheerios". "Yogie". Diesel said, kindly with gentleness. "Ok". Samus said as she looked up at Diesel.
Diesel set Samus up in the living room, as he tied an apron around her neck. A bib. Samus ate the yogurt that was spoonfed to her. "How is it, darlin?". Diesel asked, gently. "It's fine". Samus said. "I'm happy it is, baby girl". Diesel said, gently. "I know yogurt is somethin you like".
"Your mom and dad used to feed it to you when you were a baby". Diesel said, kindly. "You were so small when they'd feed you, too". "You'd look up at em, and smile". "Yogurt was your favorite".
"It was". Samus said. "I liked a lot of it".
"I'm very happy you liked it". Diesel said, gently. "Cheerios are good in it".
"I love cheerios". "Cheerios are good to have with yogurt". "I love Cheerios the most". Diesel said, kindly.
"I'm happy it's a meal you like". Diesel said, gently. "Me and you both".
Samus and Diesel laughed. "How's your eyes feel?". Diesel asked, kindly. "They're ok". Samus said. "I almost can't see, but they're ok….they only hurt a little bit". "It feels like there's fluid coming out of them".
"Hey, pink eye can be irritating". "I had Pink Eye once, and it bothered with my eyelash". "Man, it hurt so bad". "I'm like…why don't I burn the other eye out with a cigarette now that I've got it". Diesel said, gently.
"I did make an appointment with the Quickie doctor so we can get this looked at". Diesel said, kindly. "They might give ya some medicine, and get you to stay in your room for a bit, but we got it". "We'll get it taken care of".
"Thank you". Samus said. Diesel smiled a gentle smile, rubbing Samus's shoulder, kindly. "Don't do that, you'll get pink eye, too". Samus said. "It's only if I rub my eye". "It'll go away quick". Diesel said, kindly.
"Hmm…..the news says there's a rabies warning in several counties". "There's an affected Racoon they put down". "All the more reason to be careful". Diesel said, kindly. "Well, we can only be as careful as we can". Diesel packed his cigarettes in his pocket as he glanced around. "Did you see if your medicines are ready at the pharmacy?". Diesel asked, gently. "They're not". Samus replied, quickly.
"That's weird they wouldn't be ready at this point". "I thought for sure that they would be ready". Diesel said, kindly. "Usually, the doctor orders them".
"Maybe". Samus said. Diesel smiled a kind smile. "Are you sure you talked to your doctor?". "It's ok if you haven't…I just want to make sure, that way I know what's going on". Diesel said, gently. "I did". Samus insisted as she looked around. "Ok…but I kind of believe it's weird that your doctor wouldn't order it on time". "This sort of thing never happens". "It's odd". Diesel said, gently.
"I only hope you're telling me the truth". "I'd be sad if you weren't". Diesel said, kindly with softness. "I just want to make sure you're healthy". "I don't want anything to happen to you". "I want you to be ok".
"I am". Samus said, as she insisted, angrily. "Please don't get angry with me". Diesel said, gently. "Please….I just want you to be healthy, that's all". "Please don't be angry…please".
"Ok, I didn't order them….nobody ordered them". "I don't….I didn't even talk to my doctor the other day". Samus said.
"That's ok, sweetie". Diesel said, gently with softness. "I understand….we'll just talk to your doctor and order some more". "It's ok".
"That's all you needed to tell me". "I'm not angry with you". "I would never be angry with you". "I love you". Diesel said softly with kindness. "I thought you would be angry with me…which was why I lied to you…it was wrong, and I'm sorry". Samus said, as she sniffled. "Sometimes, we make mistakes, and we're hesitant to trust others, but I know that because of the bond we have, everything is ok". "We're ok, honey". "I love you no matter what". "I love you so much". Diesel said, kindly with softness.
"Thank you". Samus said. Samus gave Diesel a hug. "Don't be sad, sweetie". "We'll fix it". Diesel said, softly with gentleness. "Ok". Samus said, as she began to cry. "Hey, can I have a kiss?". Diesel asked, gently. "Ok". Samus said. Diesel kissed Samus's nose, kindly as she sniffled. "We good again?". Diesel asked, gently. "We're good". Samus said. Diesel smiled a kind smile, as he hugged Samus.
"Let's go to the doctor, and get some medicine for your eyes". Diesel said, gently. "Ok". Samus said. Diesel and Samus walked outside, as Samus, in her pajamas, got into the mech. Diesel turned it on, starting it, as he drove it down the street, while Samus sat in the side.
"How'd you sleep last night, baby?". Diesel asked, kindly with gentleness. "Fine, I guess". Samus said. "I just…I didn't have any nightmares, or anything". "I just slept, and kind of….went to bed without any trouble".
"I am kind of down though". Samus said. "Why's that?". Diesel asked, gently with softness. "Because I don't….because I want my mom and dad". Samus said. "I don't know…my mom and dad were everything to me". "Without them, I don't know what I am".
"It makes you sad that you lost them?". Diesel asked, gently. "It does". Samus said. "Well, I'm sure, by nature, that it's ok to miss your parents….your parents give you life, love, and nourishment". "Parents are the ones that give us what we need". "Parents mean the world to us". Diesel said, kindly with softness. "Ok". Samus said.
"It's natural to grieve". "Grieving and facing our trauma is the way we deal with it". Diesel said, gently. "But it's ok". "We can do it".
"Ok". Samus said as she sniffled. "Thank you". Her voice shook when she said this. "Do what's natural to you". "Don't feel like you have to be strong". Diesel said, gently.
"Ok". Samus said. "I'm ok now…but it was kind of sad".
"Don't worry". Diesel said, kindly. "Everything is ok".
"I know now". Samus said. Diesel rubbed Samus's back, gently as he smiled. He lit a cigarette in the mech, smoking, as he stuck it out of the window. "Hey, I lost my parents when I was 23 years old, and just got married in 64". Diesel said, kindly. "I know how bad it is for us". "But I also know that sometimes, things can be harder". "We just have to take our good days with our bad". "Walk through the storm, be brave, and do it because I love you". "All because I love you". "And because I need you".
"The world needs you, life needs you, and everyone you've ever met, loves you unconditionally". "I love you unconditionally, and I will never give up on you". "It's ok now, Samus". "Everything is better now, because you have given the world so much…and because I love you unconditionally". Diesel said, gently with softness, and wisdom behind his gravelly deep, raspy voice.
"Thank you, and I love you too". Samus said. Diesel kissed Samus's cheek, gently. Samus nodded as she sniffled.
"Well, there's the doctor's office". "Let's go inside, an' get checked out". Diesel said, kindly. "Ok". Samus said. Samus and Diesel walked into the office, as Samus waited for her appointment. When her name was called, she walked over to the office, seeing Robin. Her cousin, Ryu's wife.
Robin smiled a kind smile as she looked at Samus. "Hey, sweet pea". Robin said, kindly. Robin stroked Samus's face, kindly. "Is everything ok?". "I haven't seen you in a long time". Robin's voice was soft, and kind. "I'm doing well". Samus said. "I just kind of was scratching my eyes, and there was some redness, and I guess….I woke up with Pink Eye".
"Sometimes, that happens". Robin said, gently. "We all experience Pink Eye every once in a while". "Just as long as we stay away from certain things, and we keep healthy, we'll be ok". Robin smiled a gentle smile.
"Let's do some antibiotics for a week, and some medicine for under the eye". "Things will get better, soon". Robin said, gently.
"Would you like some almond milk with strawberry, or some cookies to take with you?". Robin asked, gently. "No, I'm ok". Samus said, as she looked up at Robin. Someone came into the office, as it was none other than Samus's cousin, Ryunosuke Umehiya. The Gen. X'er, (the last Gen X'er born in 1980) with a Pompadour.
"Hey, hon, I was wondering if you had the card for the bank". "I can't find mine". Ryu said, as he leaned against Robin's desk. "It should be in your wallet….did you look?". Robin asked, gently. "Maybe, but I don't know". "Whatever's in there, is in there". Ryu said. "Lemme check really quick".
"Hmm, it might be in here….whatever the f### it is". Ryu mumbled as he dug into his wallet. "Ok, you might have missed it". Robin replied, calmly. Robin washed her hands, disposing of her rubber gloves. "Look who came to see us". Robin said, gently.
"Mm, hey, it's Samus". "Man, I haven't seen her in a while, heh?". "She looks as beautiful as ever". Ryu said, kindly. Ryu smiled a gentle smile as he saw Samus as she sniffled. "How've you been, Samus?". Ryu asked, gently with calm softness. "I've been fine, kind of". Samus said. "I don't know".
"Sweetie pie, you don't sound so good". "What happened….?". "How've you been….really?". Ryu asked, gently. Ryu's heeled shoes scraped a bit. "Give me some truth, sweet pea". Ryu said, gently and calmly. "I haven't been too well". Samus said. "I was terminated from the Federation, I was evicted from my house, I have Pink Eye, and I guess….I have to go to therapy now because….I'm not doing well at all". "I'm trying my best, though".
"Hmm, well sometimes, life gives us hardship". "We work with what we have rather than what we desire". "It's all about finding our best place". Ryu said, calmly with gentleness. "I'm sorry about that, Samus". "Is there anything I can do to help you?". "Our home is always open if you need somewhere to stay". "I have some money if you need that". "I'm always willing to help my best friend, and my favorite family member….you are my favorite….because you understand me best". Ryu said, softly with gentleness.
"Ok". Samus said. "I am staying with Diesel and Chosuke…but I'm not doing well". "I'm in counseling, I'm doing what I can, but I just need….I just need to be somewhere where I'm comfortable". "I need the beds to be warm, and I don't know…..I don't know….it's a hard time".
"Sweetie, why don't you stay with us until we find you something". Ryu said, gently. "It's ok…I know right now is a hard time". "I can help you through it".
"Thank you". Samus said. Ryu smiled a kind smile. "I would give you a kiss, but I'll play it safe with the Pink Eye, baby". Ryu said, gently with softness as he spoke with calmness. "Thank you". Samus said.
"I love you". Ryu said, kindly. "I'm so lucky I have you….and I'm lucky you were born to us". "You're someone amazing".
"Thank you". Samus said. Ryu smiled a gentle smile. "Don't give up yet". "You're getting there". "You're doing a great job". Ryu said, kindly with softness.
"Thank you". Samus said, as she looked up at Ryu. "I love you so much, sweet pea". Ryu said, gently.
"Thank you". Samus said. "You're also supposed to say, "I love you too". Ryu said, gently. "Oh, yes". Samus replied. She and Ryu laughed. "Know that it's ok….no matter what happens". Ryu said, gently. "I know it's ok". Samus said. Ryu stroked Samus's cheek, as he smiled. "Don't be sad". "Remember how special you are". Ryu said, gently. "I do….always". Samus said. Ryu shared another calm smile as he glanced at Samus.
"Want to come home with us….?". "Or….is everything ok?". Ryu asked, gently. "I can do either or". Samus said. "I'll see what I can do". Ryu said, kindly. "Ok". Samus replied.
Diesel flew in, seeing Ryu and Samus talking. "Is it ok if I go with Ryu?". Samus asked. "Of course, sweetie". Diesel said, gently. "I'm sure Ryu is glad t' see you". "He loves you so much".
"He does". Samus said. "I hope you're OK with it".
"I am, sweetie". Diesel said, gently. "We can see each other still". "I'm happy you're with your cousin". "You both do so well".
"Thank you". Samus said. Ryu clicked out of the room as he walked with his heels. "Hey, sweet pea". "Are you ready to pick up your medicine?". Ryu asked, gently. "I'm ready". Samus said, drinking from her sippy cup. "Man, you look so cute". "You've got your sippy cup, you've got your blanket, your P.J.'s, you look good". "I'm so glad I've got you". Ryu said, gently.
"Thank you". Samus said. Ryu looked up at Diesel as he hung around the room. "Well, I'll see ya, Samus". "Love ya". Diesel said, gently as he smiled.
"I love you too". Samus said. Diesel hugged Samus, gently. "Thanks for takin' care of her". Diesel said, kindly. "Of course". Ryu said, as he shook hands with Diesel.
Diesel wished them goodbye as Ryu wiped his face with his regular human hand. "Man, I feel tired". "This time change makes me kinda exhausted". "Who knows". Ryu said, gently. "At least I have my best friend beside me….and she can do anything".
Ryu smiled a calm smile as he rubbed Samus's shoulder. "How are you, emotionally sweet pea?". "Is everything ok?". Ryu asked, kindly. "I'm doing ok". Samus said. "I'm trying my best".
"You seem like you're doing well". "The Federation seemed good to you in the end". "I'm surprised they decided to separate away". Ryu said, gently. "I'm ok". Samus said. "It was hard, but I did it". "I tried my best…but I guess it wasn't enough". "I did what I could".
"You were amazing in the Federation, Samus". "They loved you…you were the best Bounty Hunter…but it is pretty odd that they would let you go". "Well, perhaps things aren't the same as they once were…new people come, old people go, and it's a lot for us to take in". "But what I'm positive and sure of…is that you were someone amazing in every way". "You did it…you achieved great things, and fulfilled what you were brought on Earth to do". "Now, it's time to let me take care of you…and maybe one day, let a husband take care of you". "You deserve it…just as you deserve so many good things to happen". "I'll take care of you….I'll make sure you're ok". "I love you, immensely". Ryu said, gently with softness.
"I love you….because you are my lil cousin". "You're the baby that came to me at just the right time in my life". "My parents had just passed, too, and I needed hope…when I saw you with your mom and dad, I knew you were special to me….you were someone I could rely on". "I loved seeing you…and I loved your face, I loved your eyes, I loved how helpful and kind you were". "But most of all, even from the beginning, I knew you were my protector". "You guarded my heart when I thought there was no hope left". "You've protected me with a strong heart, and a kind wisdom…a sharp mind". "You and I have always had a special bond that transcends time, and reality". "We'll always have that bond….because you are so talented, wise, and beautiful". "You're my Samus". Ryu said, kindly with gentle softness.
"Thank you". Samus said. "You're my favorite family member". Ryu said, gently as he rubbed Samus's back, kindly. "Thank you". Samus said. "Don't be sad, Samus". "Be happy and proud of who you are, and what you've experienced". "Aunt Virginia and Uncle Rodney…your mom and dad would want you to be". "You've done many good things….it's ok now". "I'll protect you". Ryu said, kindly with softness. Ryu's eyes met Samus's as he shared a loving, gentle glance with her. His eyes were gentle, as he looked at Samus. "Shhh, shh, I'm here now, sweetie". "I'll make sure nothing happens to you". "We need each other". Ryu said, kindly with softness. "Come give me a hug, and I'll keep you safe".
Ryu opened his arms as Samus came to him. "Come here, sweet pea". "Let's hug". Ryu said, kindly. Samus got a warm hug from Ryu as he rubbed her back. Ryu smiled a kind smile as he hugged her with gentleness.
"Love you, always". "I love you so much". "You are my light in the darkness". Ryu said, kindly with softness. Samus sighed as she felt warmth and kindness. She went with Ryu, feeling better.