Chapter 1
Our farmhouse. Our lonely, bleak, wooden farmhouse. It had been a pinnacle of survival for us for many years. Yet, now it seemed so lonely in an empty field with nothing surrounding it. It had been the place for Eustace, Courage and I for many years. Yet, since my Eustace passed, it had been Courage and I for many moments since. My Courage, I named the lass after exhibiting such courage after his birth parents died. He is a purple dog, yet he has since become like a child, a son to us. For me, he is such an inspiration. I love him so much.
His fervor, his strength, his tenacity, his love, and his unwavering support for me, this is what makes him the strongest I've ever had, that I've ever encountered. I love my Courage….he is such a love for me, I know he will do great things. I wake up every morning thankful and grateful that I have my Courage. Courage is my boy.
As I awoke, I saw my Courage come into my room, rubbing his eyes. He seemed to blink back tiredness. "Courage, dear". I said, softly in a gentle voice. "Come see me, my love". I patted the other side of the bed, gently. As I looked up at Courage, I smiled a gentle smile. Courage, excited by this measure, came onto the bed, right on Eustace's side. I love how Courage keeps me company at night. Sleeping on Eustace's side, filling the space. By the way, reader, we haven't made proper introductions. My name is Muriel Bagge. I am a Silent Generation member born in 1928. I'm someone who believes in thrift, saving and being frugal. It is something I'm very acclimated with. Even so, being a Silent entails strength and wisdom. Wisdom is what gives us strength. In essence, it is compounded.
In any aspect, Courage snuggled close to me, burying his nose in the blankets. "I love you, my Courage". I said, gently with softness. There was a thickness to my Scottish accent. "You are my lad". I kissed Courage's head, kindly as I petted the fur on top. "Thank you". Courage said. "I'm always happy to have you, my Courage". I said, gently.
Courage nodded, as he laid his head down. "How are you, darling?". "You've been so busy, we haven't talked in a while". I said, gently. "I'm good". Courage said. "I'm kind of sad, though". "I don't know….I…I…".
"What's troubling you, my Courage?". I asked, softly with kindness. "You've seemed pretty pensive lately". "I've noticed you're not your old self". "I'm worried for you, lass". I petted Courage's head, gently as I kissed his little head. "I'm ok". Courage said, as he turned his head. "Perchance". I replied, gently. "I only noticed you were sad, from what I've gathered". "You seem a bit depressed, my Courage". I ran my fingers over Courage's fur. Courage stared up at me. "Well, I guess….I just…I'm kind of been thinking about my parents….my mom and dad…and I guess….I don't know…I'm kind of sad". "I don't know how to describe it". Courage said. "I understand, honey". I replied, gently. "Well, your birth parents were wonderful, I'm sure". "You received such nurturing, such stimulation from them, by drinking your mother's milk, and sitting by your mother when she licked your head". "Your mother loved you, deeply, and cared for you as if you were the greatest thing she had ever received". "All birth mothers are like that to their babies". "They are happy that their birth children are theirs". "When a youngling comes along, a mother holds the youngling close, because it is a part of them they created".
"My mother was the same way when I was a newborn". "There are a lot of babies born in spring, some more fortunate than others….but while you were young, your birth parents died". I said, softly with gentleness, as I petted Courage's head. "Your mother and father passed on…and you were abandoned for some time…until we found one another". "We've had a beautiful friendship since then, and we will continue our friendship, long into when you become older". "I love you, deeply, my Courage". "You are someone with so much tenacity, and love". "I am so fortunate to have you by my side, you are wonderful to me". I comforted Courage, as he began sniffling. "You are someone who has done amazing things for the world, and has helped the world in incredible ways". "I need you, just as much as you need me, my Courage".
"Ok". Courage said, as he sniffled. I petted his fuzzy head, gently, massaging the top of his head. "I love you, always". I whispered, softly and gently. "You're my best friend, and my knight in shining armor". "I don't know where I'd be without you". "Shh, it's alright now, my Courage". "I'm beside you, I will never leave your side". I kissed Courage's head, kindly. I also petted his head, gently, as a piece of my breast came out of my silk negligee. Courage sniffed it, smelling some Apple Crumble we had the day before. "I know, my boy". "Don't dwell on it too much". "A gentleman is always the wiser when it comes to a lady". I reminded, kindly. Courage nodded, resting his head beside me. He closed his eyes, as he felt my fingers thickly massaging his fur, his fuzz. His eyes, wide with humanistic aspects…like that of a trier, closed, as he felt sleep befall him. "I know now is a hard time…rest your eyes, rest your mind, and I will stay beside you, my Courage". "I love you". I whispered, gently. "I love you, too". Courage said. I smiled a gentle smile, petting my Courage's head, as I kissed his head, gently. I knew Courage was someone with a lot of bravery, a lot of steadfast love, and tenacity. Now, all that was needed was to kiss my Courage on the forehead, give him love.
I kissed my Courage, petting him, gently. "I love you". "I love you". I sang softly, as I comforted my Courage. He had been through quite a bit. Courage perked up, laughing and giggling, as he looked upwards. "I love you, deeply". I whispered, gently. Courage laid his head back down, nodding along as he felt sleep overtake him. I knew my Courage could handle anything. For now, it was time for him to sleep. "Courage". I whispered, gently. Courage glanced upwards, yawning, as his breathing became slow, and calmed. His heart rate slowed down. "Yes?". He asked. "oh…nothing…I love you". I whispered, gently. I kept petting Courage's head, gently. With every pet, and every kiss, Courage was calmer. His calm spirit, allowed him to rest, and rid himself of the night's bad energy. He laid, letting calm break through.
Courage laid sleeping, as I petted his head, massaging it gently. As I petted his head, it allowed me to see the picture of my late husband, Eustace, on my nightstand, on my side. I sighed a bit, knowing that while Eustace had his moments of stubbornness, he was excellent for me. I smiled a bit, knowing Eustace was safe in the beyond. As it turned out, a virus put him away.
Courage still slept, as the time ticked on a clock nearby. It was the Grandfather Clock we had in our bedroom. "Well, it is almost time to wake up". I said to myself, as I petted Courage some more. As the sun made itself known, and the rooster crowed outside, I knew daylight was coming to call. "Well, it is time to wake up". I said, gently, as I kindly nudged my Courage awake with softness. "Courage…". I whispered, gently. Courage opened his eyes. "What?". He asked. "Time to wake up, lad". "It's time to go downstairs, and watch television, as well as have some breakfast". I said, gently. "Let's go downstairs now, honey". I kissed Courage's head, gently as I helped him out of bed. Courage sniffled as he began grumbling. "I know it's hard waking up in the morning, but we have to do so". "Let's go downstairs, now". "I promise we'll rest when we're down there". I said, gently. Courage nodded, as he walked downstairs. Courage came downstairs, as we sat near the television while I gave Courage a bowl of fruit to eat. "Here is some banana, strawberry, and pineapple for breakfast, with a bit of yogurt". "That ought to sit nicely with us". I said, kindly. "I also have some Oatmeal Raisin cookies if we need it".
I picked up a rusted, silver spoon, spoon feeding Courage with the eating instrument. "Here you are, my Courage". "My darling". "The airplane is coming". I said, gently. Courage opened his mouth, as he took in the food. "Very good, Courage". I said, gently, as I smiled. "Here is some more". I gently spoonfed Courage with kindness, as he took in more food. Chewing and swallowing, some food dribbled down his chin, as I wiped it up with my napkin. Courage seemed to sniffle, as it seemed he was close to crying. Perhaps this cry was because of his insecurity related to swallowing. "Shh, it's ok, my Courage". "You did so well, I'm so proud of you". I whispered, kindly. "I love you, Courage…my hero".
I petted his head, as he sniffled, his eyes blinking back tears. "I know right now it is hard, my Courage". "You're doing so well". "I love seeing you". I whispered, gently. "Thank you….mom". Courage said, as he sniffled. "Of course, darling". I said, gently. "I love you, immensely". "You're my favorite". Courage and I laughed, as I tickled underneath his chin. "Wonderful job eating your fruit". "Later, we can have some tea, as well as Pear brie and jambon sandwiches, with a splash of vinegar". I said, gently. Courage smiled, as he ate his last bite of fruit, swallowing. "You put Vinegar on everything, mom". Courage said. "I do, but it is only because I love the flavor vinegar has". I said, gently.
"I guess". Courage said. "Thank you, though".
"Of course, darling". I said, gently. Courage ate his fruit, as a piece dribbled down his chin. He wanted to clean it, yet I came in, cleaning his chin for him. Courage and I smiled and laughed, as we finished up breakfast. Me, tickling his chin, playing peek-a-boo with him. Courage, laughing. We both had a fun time.
Courage looked out of the window, thoughtfully as he seemed to glance outside. It was as if he had something on his mind that no one else could decipher. "What are you pondering, my Courage?". I asked, gently, taking a sip of my coffee. "Nothing". Courage said. "I was only wondering if my parents are indeed, in heaven". "What it would be like to visit them again".
"What is heaven like?". Courage asked. "Because I know Eustace…I mean dad is up there….I don't know what else is".
"Well, it is a wonderful place". I said, gently. "I'm sure Eustace is enjoying his stay, but he misses you, deeply". "He perhaps misses us just as much as we miss him". "Eustace was someone we trusted a lot". "I miss him…a bit". I smiled a gentle smile, washing the fruit bowl in the sink. "Me too". Courage said. Courage looked around, getting down from the table, as he walked around the house. "Would you like to watch some television, or play a game?". I asked, gently. "I kind of just want to sit on the rocking chair". Courage said, as he circled around the rocking chair. "I feel that way, too". I said, gently. Taking the remote for the television, I turned on the morning news, as Courage laid in my lap, resting his head. Courage kept his head rested, relaxing gently. He only stared up every once in a while to see some things on the television. Still, Courage relaxed, just laying contently. I rocked back and forth in my chair, staring at the television, as I petted my Courage, allowing my fingers to rub into Courage's fuzz with kindness. Kindness, steadiness, and love. With those elements, we were able to do anything. Courage rested, nested, and felt happy that he was in a good place, for the rest of the time. He felt ok, as did I. As the sun shone through the window, we had a good time, knowing just how special we were. It was a peaceful morning. In all of its measures, it was content. I rested my eyes as well, taking a bit of a rest, as the sun made its way in, decently.
Kuki Sanban was a widow. No one perhaps knew that, yet she was a young widow, only 31. As she grew to be of age, she felt much more nurturing towards everyone than she had, previously. Kuki rustled underneath the bedsheets, tossing and turning as she did. A young girl with stringy, brown hair, brown round eyes, and a nightgown, a girl from Russia, Rika came into the room. "Ku-ki". She said, with underdeveloped speech, and a cadence that was slow in development. Kuki turned in her bed. "Hi, Rika". Kuki said, gently. Kuki smiled a gentle smile. "Come see me, sweetie". "Don't run, walk to the bed". Kuki reminded, kindly. Rika nodded, as she walked to see her guardian. "Good job, Rika". Kuki said, gently. "I'm so proud of you". "I love you, honey". Kuki reached over the side, kissing Rika's cheek, gently as Rika turned away. "I thought you loved kisses, and hugs". "Kisses and hugs are the best thing for friends". Kuki said, gently. Rika curled up in bed, laying beside Kuki. Rika, young Rika had a traumatic beginning. She was born to her birth parents in Moscow, but because of terrorism, Rika's parents passed away, leaving her an orphan, who was abused and severely neglected in a multitude of orphanages. She had a lower intelligence quotient of 54, and was unable to eat, dress, and toilet independently. She lost her adoptive parents as well, leaving her in the care of Kuki.
"Good morning, baby bop". Kuki said, gently with kindness. "It's so good to see you". "I lo-ove you". "I lo-ove you". Kuki sang with gentleness. She nuzzled her Rika, kindly. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy, when skies are gray". Kuki sang softly, as she nuzzled Rika. Rika smiled and played as she giggled, similar to an infant when they felt happy. "I love you, honey". "You're my heroine…you make me so glad to be here with you". Kuki whispered, gently, kissing Rika on the cheeks. "I'm a much better person because you're here beside me". Kuki whispered, gently. "Da ba, da ba". Rika said, as she put her hands up. "I'm going to tickle your belly!". "I'm tickling your belly!". Kuki giggled, as she tickled Rika's stomach, gently. "I love you, pooki". Kuki said, gently. "Ba bu bu". Rika said, as she babbled the words; "love you too". Kuki and Rika laughed. "Let's get some breakfast, and some Oat Yogurt". "Today, you're going to swallow for me, like a big girl". Kuki said, gently, as Rika nodded. "Yes". Rika said. "Let's wake up, baby bop". Kuki said, kindly. "Baby bop!". "Baby bop!". Rika said, as she giggled. From the times our Kuki put "Barney"on for Rika.
Kuki helped Rika out of her bed, as they walked to the kitchen. Kuki held Rika's hand, kindly. "Today, I have some Oat Yogurt, and some orange juice to drink". Kuki said, gently. "It's gluten-free orange juice with some cherry drizzle". "We would both like that". Kuki smiled a gentle smile. "Ready for some juice?". Kuki asked, kindly. "Yes". Rika said. Kuki poured orange juice into Rika's sippy cup, giving it to her. "There you are, baby". "Some juice for this morning". Kuki said, gently. "Let's have some juice, and some yogurt now, ok?". "Let's sit in the big girl chair, now".
Rika got into her chair, sitting as Kuki opened the tab for the yogurt container. Taking her cleaner silver spoon, she spoon fed Rika her yogurt. Rika sat, eating her yogurt, as Kuki directed her on chewing and swallowing. "There you go, here comes the airplane, whoosh". Kuki said, gently as she helped Rika swallow her yogurt. There was a bit of gagging as Rika spit up some of the yogurt. "It's ok..try once more". "You're almost there". Kuki said, gently. Rika continued swallowing her yogurt, on another bite, as Kuki gently nudged the spoon along. Rika swallowed her yogurt, plentifully that time. As Rika ate her yogurt, she barely spat it up. "Good job, Rika". Kuki said, gently. "I'm so proud of you". "I knew you could do it". Kuki smiled, wiping the spat up yogurt from Rika's face. "I love you, honey". "You are so good, in every way". Kuki said, gently. "Ba bu bu". Rika said. Kuki smiled, nuzzling Rika, kindly. "Love you, love you". Kuki said, with kindness, tickling Rika's cheek, gently. "Ba bu!". "Ba bu!". Rika said, as she and Kuki giggled.
"Let's go lay down for a little bit, we'll watch some television, we'll drink some juicy juice". "It'll be a good day". Kuki said, gently. "Ba ba ba". Rika babbled, giggling. "I love you, too". Kuki said, kindly as she and Rika stood up, walking to the couch. Rika curled up, laying down, as Kuki put the blanket over her, covering her with a comforting nestle. "Let's put on some T.V. or we have some drinks, we have the ball we can play with". "Anything really". Kuki said, gently. Rika nodded, as Kuki gave her the beach ball to play with. Rika put her mouth on the ball, while Kuki gently removed it. "Let's hold it, nicely". Kuki said, gently. Rika nodded, as she held the ball close to her. "Thank you…now, we have some orange juice, we have some suckies if you'd like some of them". "Here's juicy juice". Kuki said, gently. Kuki tucked the juice underneath Rika's blanket as Rika drank it. Rika, so comfy in her blanket, drinking her orange juice, as her round eyes looked off to the side. She looked similar to a toddler or an infant drinking her juice. "I love you". Kuki said, gently. "Ba bu". Rika said, as she glanced upwards, comforted in her own presence, secure with how snug she was. Rika drank her juice, as Kuki kissed both of her cheeks, glad she was in a safe home.