Chapter 6
Courage and I came home, as Winifred sat, reading over a book. "How was the doctor's office?". "Did it go alright?". Winifred asked, gently. "Yes, Nazz told us Courage has to take these antibiotics that will just help with his heart, and headache". "Every hour we'll take them, huh Courage?". I said, gently. Courage nodded. "Let's go fill your sippy cup, and we'll look after the time…perhaps it would be smart to take them now". I said, gently. Courage nodded, following me into the kitchen. I took out some Oat Milk as Courage watched me fill his sippy cup. "Here we are, now". "We'll just drink some of this, and we'll have some milk". "The key, is to put a lot in now, so we're set for later on". I said, gently. "Ok". Courage said. I poured some antibiotics into a cup for Courage to drink. "Here you are, darling". "Let me help you swallow a bit". I said, gently. Courage nodded, as I helped him drink his antibiotics. He swallowed very well, only coughing a bit when he had a sore throat. "I love your swallowing skills". "You have gotten so good with that". I said, gently. "I'm so proud of you, my Courage".
I smiled a gentle smile, seeing that some medicine dripped down Courage's chin in his swallowing. "You swallowed so well". I said, gently. Courage wiped the medicine from his face. "And you have your Oat Milk to drink, we have some melatonin in case you have trouble falling asleep". "We are prepared this evening". I said, gently. Courage nodded. Courage seemed dismal as underneath his wide eyes, there were bags of exhaustion. "Is everything alright, my Courage?". I asked, gently. "You look saddened, love". I petted Courage's head as he drank his Oat Milk. my Courage hadn't slept in a while. "The doctor said I had a virus". Courage replied quietly. "What if I go on, and I die?". "It's what Eustace….or dad died from". "What do I do?".
"I don't think anything like that will happen". I replied, gently. "I think you will live a long, healthy life with many prosperous attributes". "You are my best friend, and I will ensure nothing happens". "I know you'll be in a good place, my Courage". I smiled a gentle smile. "We don't know much about your family's history, but I know you'll be alright". "We always have been, and you've done amazing things, thereof". I petted Courage's head once more.
"Why don't we get some rest, and I'll see if you'd like to sleep on the chair beside Winifred and I, this evening". I said, gently. "Ok". Courage said. I smiled a gentle smile, as Courage went to the couch in the other room. I tucked him in, putting the blanket over him, as he held his sippy cup close. Drinking from his sippy cup, he glanced upwards, as his eyes looked off to the side, then up at me. I smiled a kind smile, petting Courage to sleep as he eventually closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep. I knew Courage was going to sleep. For now, he was in a good place. For that, I felt extremely happy. I always felt happy when my Courage was doing well. It meant that we were both in good places, for the time being.
Courage slept as I sat on the couch, glancing at the television, then down at my knitting and crocheting. Winifred eventually came into the room. "Hey, honey". Winifred said, gently as he glanced at Courage, seeing how he slept comfortably after taking some antibiotics. "He's sleeping; that's a good sign to help with his health". Winifred said, kindly.
"Mm, yes, he's sleeping as of now…he's trying to get the necessary rest he needs so he can fight it, and feel better in the long run". I remarked, gently.
"Well, I love that". Winifred said, gently. "Courage is someone with the optimism, and the tenacity". "He can do anything". "He is such a blessing". Winifred smiled a kind smile, petting Courage's fuzz. Courage still fell asleep.
"He is our blessing, and with every tumultuous endearment he must face, he does so with bravery". I said, gently. Courage stirred a bit in his place, stretching his paws as he did. I smiled a kind smile, knowing Courage was going to be just fine. Even as I rubbed his back, massaging his back, kindly and with ease. Courage still lay sleeping, as I smiled once more. My best friend, my sunshine was going to be alright.
Evening came, and I had found boredom in crocheting. My piece was almost done, as I went to the porch for a fine smoke. I sat outside for quite a bit, smoking my cigarette, glancing around, ubiquitously. It was a fine evening for some wedding planning. Courage came outside, yawning. "Hello, honey". I said, gently. "How are you this evening?". "Everything ok?".
"I'm fine". Courage replied, half tired, half awake. "The medicine was ok….I'm ok for now".
"You were sleeping for quite a while, I remember waking you up a bit for your antibiotics, but you took them, and fell right back asleep". "You were exhausted, or you must've been exhausted". "My Courage, you were very restful". I said, gently.
"Kind of". Courage said, as he rubbed his eyes. "I tried my best….but the medicine makes me tired". "I can't stay awake with it, and when I am awake, I usually fall asleep right away".
"Sometimes, antibiotics do that sort of thing". I said, gently. "Antibiotics are meant to weaken and destroy the virus at it's source". "What you're taking is powerful, and can lower the energy level due to its effect".
"My Courage, you only have to take it for another week, and you'll be ok". "Have you noticed any changes since you've been on it?". I asked, gently. "My coughing is gone, and I don't have a headache". Courage said. "The only side effect is that I'm tired, and I want to sleep".
"You'll be ok, Courage". "I love how patient you're being, and loving as well". I said, kindly. "You're my best friend, and my good boy". "I'm so happy I have you". I smiled a kind smile, finishing my smoke. Courage nodded, as he yawned a bit. "Let's go take your medicine one more time before you go to bed". I said, gently. I put out my cigarette stub on the wooden porch. Courage nodded, as he got up, while we walked inside.
I came to the medicine cabinet, taking out Courage's antibiotics, as we refilled his Oat Milk as well. "Here you are, my Courage". "My best friend, we have some more milk to drink as well, darling". I said, kindly. Courage nodded, as he took his antibiotic. When he did, he drank from his sippy cup, putting down the antibiotics, with some vanilla Oat Milk.
"I love how we're on Oat Milk". I said, kindly, putting it back in the refrigerator, as I closed the door. "It doesn't have casein, Kanuria, or anything bad that affects the mind, or body like regular dairy has". "It's perfect for you". I smiled a kind smile. "That, and you take to it the most".
"I like Oat Milk because it actually has a sugary taste". "It's actually sweet and enjoyable to drink". "Regular milk doesn't have anything good". Courage said, looking up from his sippy cup.
"Oat Milk has natural sweetener and sugar without the preservatives". I said, gently. "It has a cane sugar base that has it's natural bonds, and oxidation that makes it more flavorful". "The vanilla flavor is from natural fructose corn syrup, and cane sweetener". "That's how it becomes so sweet". "They managed to make the fructose corn syrup gluten free, so it relies solely on fructose bonds".
"It's good for someone who needs the nutrients, and the love, the stimulation, to think better, reason better, and retain so much of the bravery and intellect you have, Courage". I said, gently. "Oat Milk can help the brain synapses connect much better, and have better neural networking in case the lack of nurturing in early infancy, puppyhood, was something traumatic". "It is a miracle diet for children, younglings, or mammals who were traumatized, neurologically from losing their birth mothers, and the milk, the stimulation".
"I guess I have been thinking much better". Courage remarked. "I noticed that I'm able to reason things out, and become much smarter….much better even though I have to try my hardest….I can't do it easily".
"That's ok, too, my Courage". I said, gently. "You're doing your best, thinking, comprehending, adapting to surroundings, showing love and affection, is something that's becoming more natural to you as time goes on". "You get better each day I see you, and experience your tenacity". "Sometimes, when we're young, things happen, and we need a little help along the way to even ourselves out". "You're doing so well, and I'm so happy you're learning, you're being brave, you're being the best version of yourself". "I know sometimes, it's difficult, but I believe you can do anything, honey". "You're my hero".
"Thank you for believing in me". Courage replied. "Of course, honey". I said, gently.
"You were so strong in early infancy, too". "You handled the trauma of losing your birth parents, you were strong on your own for the first few months, without mama and papa". "That's why your name is Courage". "Because you have so much strength, so much wisdom". "You're the best I've ever had, and you can do anything, my Courage". "Know that it's ok now". I said, gently. Courage nodded, as I kissed him on the nose, gently. My Courage was going to be ok. Even as he went back into the living room to lay on the couch. "Let's tuck you in a bit, my Courage". "Your sleep is ok". I said, kindly. I put the blanket over Courage, gently tucking his sippy cup underneath his elbow. He fell asleep, knowing he was going to be alright. We both were.
Courage slept as he wiggled his tail a little bit in his sleep. He usually does that when he's asleep. When the middle of the night came around, Winifred came to see Courage. "Courage". He said, gently with kindness to his voice. Courage stirred a bit, opening his eyes. "Hi, son". "How are you this evening?". Winifred whispered, gently. Courage nodded, half asleep, as he sniffled. He yawned a bit….half disoriented from sleep.
Tears formed in Courage's eyes as he began to cry. "Is everything ok, Courage?". "I know it's late, but we'll try to get through it quickly so you can get back to sleep". Winifred whispered, gently. Courage whimpered a bit. "Time to take medicine, bud". Winifred reminded, calmly with gentleness.
"Ok". Courage said, as he got up, climbing out of bed. Courage walked to the other side of our bathroom with Winifred, as Winifred took the medicine from the bottle, pouring it into a cup. "Here you are, my boy". "Some if you need it, some if you'll be ok". Winifred said, gently. He helped Courage take the medicine. "This is the perfect amount". Winifred reminded, kindly.
Courage nodded, tiredly as he walked back to the bed with Winifred. Winifred picked him up, putting him at the foot of the bed. Courage curled up underneath the blankets, drinking from his sippy cup. "Sleep well, son". "I love you, deeply". Winifred said, gently. Courage nodded, as he closed his eyes, falling asleep. He was under the trance of sleep yet again, as he dreamt of sweet things. His sippy cup filled with Oat Milk sat nearby as he slept. Little Courage was sleeping, soundly. He was in a good place, in his own element. My Courage was happy, and that was what mattered.
For a while things seemed good. Courage felt better, which was nice, and things were peaceful for the most part. Until one afternoon, I had left for the grocery store to look for a few things.
Courage was at a local pool, cooling off, or doing something of that nature. From what happened, a rude man saw Courage talking to himself, or…perhaps licking a bone, something Courage usually does to mind his business, one thing escalated to another, and law enforcement came to the pool. The police made an appearance at the public pool.
Courage hid, as the police talked to this rude man who had falsified a problem, a situation, and made something grandiose with it. The rude man called for the police. When I had come from grocery shopping, I talked with the rude man, and some of the officers….about my Courage in this incident. "Is he safe?". I asked, softly. "That's what I'm concerned with right now, is that he's safe, and warm". "He's not frightened or confused by what happened". "This might be a lot for him to process right now".
"Courage is alright, fortunately". The police officer replied, gently. "He was minding his business, talking to himself, when this man came to disrupt things". "We've received complaints about him in other public areas, he's been banned from other public pools, Dennis, his name is". "He is officially banned from this pool, and we've given him a warning about coming back".
"If he bothers you both again, let us know, and we'll handle the problem". "For now, go home, get some rest, I apologize for the trouble this may have caused you". "Have a great day". The officer said, gently. "Have a great day today, Courage". The officer said, kindly. "Thank you for being brave, and keeping calm". "Hopefully, the rest of your day goes smoothly".
"Thank you". Courage said. I came over to Courage, petting him, gently. "What happened, sweetie?". I asked, softly with concerned gentleness. "Are you alright?".
"I'm fine". Courage replied, as I dried his fuzz with a towel. "You were in a bad situation for a bit". I said, gently. "You had some troubles to overcome, but you were calm, you were brave, and I'm happy for that". "You are esteemed". I smiled a kind smile, hugging my Courage.
"Right now, I think it would be best if I helped you with some things, and were always with you, when you go out". I said, gently. "I know you're capable, and I know you try to resolve situations, but sometimes, certain people can take advantage of us, and make things worse based on vulnerabilities". "I think right now, you need a protector, or a guardian to help you when you go out".
"It's only best because we don't know who's there, and what they tolerate". "I don't want any situation to be too overwhelming for you, or stressful". "I want my best friend to have the best he can have". "I just want to keep you safe, and to do that, we need guardianship". I said, gently. Courage nodded, as he walked back to Eustace's old pickup truck.
"It'll be ok, though". "Let's go home now, have some lunch, take our medicine, and lay down for a nap". "We'll go swimming another time". I said, kindly. Courage nodded. I smiled a gentle smile, walking with Courage into the house. "What would you like for lunch?". I asked, kindly. "It doesn't matter". Courage said. I put a blanket over my Courage, as he laid his head down. Winifred came in from work, as he saw Courage. "Back from the swimming pool early?". "Is everything ok?". Winnifred asked, gently. "It's fine". Courage said, quietly.
"There was someone there who was making a lot of noise, so we decided to leave early". I replied. "Courage thought it'd be best if we came home, and had some lunch".
"Of course". Winnifred said, gently. Winnifred busied himself with making a sandwich. He cut half of his sandwich, giving the other half to Courage. "Here you are, my Courage". Winnifred said, gently. "Half for you, half for me". Winnifred smiled a gentle smile.
"Hmm, you gave him a bit?". "That's sweet". I replied, gently. "I thought he might be hungry, so we decided to split some". Winnifred said, gently. "Courage is someone who would benefit from a sandwich". "He's such an amazing boy". Winnifred kissed Courage's head, gently.
"Thank you". Courage said. "Here's some Oat Milk in case you become thirsty". Winnifred said, gently. "I have some chocolate in it as well".
"Thank you". Courage said. Courage sniffled as he ate his sandwich. "It's good, thank you".
"I'm happy you enjoy it". Winnifred said, gently. "I like making sandwiches, typically". "They're nice with avocado in the middle".
"Those are pretty nice". Courage said, as he ate his sandwich. He ate his sandwich, quietly, not paying mind to anything else. Winnifred smiled a kind smile, eating his sandwich. "Here's a bit of something on your face we'll just wipe off". "You'll be ok". Winnifred smiled a gentle smile.
"I hope". Courage said. "I think you will be, if you're confident". Winnifred said, gently. Courage drank his milk shortly afterwards. "My Courage, you're so intelligent". "You can do anything". Winnifred said, gently. Courage nodded, finishing his sandwich, as he walked back to the couch. Winnifred smiled a kind smile, taking his plate to the sink. I had washed dishes previously in the sink and left some residue, but it wasn't horrible.
Courage laid his head down, resting. "Honey". I said, gently as I came to see Courage. Courage lifted his head. "Is everything alright?". "You seem a bit saddened this afternoon". I smiled a kind smile. "I'm doing alright". Courage said, as he laid his head down on the cushion. "I just feel kind of like you don't trust me because of what happened today". "I don't understand why I have to have a protector". "I'm doing everything I can, I was calm, I was nice, I resolved the situation". "It's kind of like you want to hold me back, and that you don't believe in me". "I thought you believed in me the most".
Courage sniffled as he said this. "Well, sweetie, I know you're someone with a lot of skill, and propriety, I know you can, but I become worried sometimes, too". "I know you're sometimes doing everything to keep safe, but I'm worried the world will try and do something to take advantage of you". "I don't want that for you, and I certainly don't want something bad to happen to you where you and I are separated". "I wouldn't forgive myself is something happened to you". "I always love saying, if you were in a field, I'd come all the way out, find you and rescue you, just as you've rescued me". I said, gently. "You're my best friend, and my Courage". "I would like to hold you, keep you close, and kiss you for as long as I can". "Because I need you". "Just as you need me".
"I know". Courage said. "I'm trying".
"You're doing an amazing job". I said, gently. "I have always loved you, Courage". I smiled a gentle smile, kissing my Courage's cheek. Courage nodded, as he felt my kiss. "I will always believe in you, deeply". "You're my guide to a hopeful tomorrow". I said, gently. Courage and I nodded, knowing we were both copesthetic. Courage laid his head down, glancing around as he did. He knew he was in a good place, as of now. He would always have me, and my unwavering love for who he was. I always love my Courage.