Chapter 11
Noodle was still in her classes, writing, and doing calculus, she was very intelligent in her high Eds in high school, Eddy approached her at lunch. "Hey, kiddo". Eddy said, gently with a slick, weaselly, greasy element of kindness. "Hello". Noodle said. "What's going on, baby?". Eddy said, gently, smiling a greasy, pearly white smile that was loaded with cigarette stains. His buttoned shirt was opened, revealing his chest hair. He had a medal around his neck, and baggy jeans, with a silky undershirt. He looked as if he was a wheeler and dealer.
"Nothing". Noodle said, turning her head away, as she drank some milk. "Hey, what's wrong, baby girl?". "You look sad". Eddy said, in a gentle, raspy voice. Noodle sniffled, as she held her milk close. "Tell me what's bothering you, baby". "Let's get it out in the open…I don't want my princess to feel sad". "My knightess". Eddy said, gently, with his voice, heavily rasped from many cigarettes. "Tell Brass Monkey what's wrong". "He'll make it better". Edd said, kindly. Brass Monkey was his nickname within their social circle.
"What's going on, princess?". Eddy asked, gently. Noodle sniffled. "I…I…I don't want to take my medicine….because….because it tastes bad…and the almond milk doesn't help". "I don't want my ears to hurt either….I don't know what to do". Noodle said, as she felt tears come down her cheeks. "Medicine's got you feeling gross, huh?". "Medicines will do that". "Hey, has Double D kinda forced you to take it?". Eddy asked, kindly with gentleness. "Well…well…he tells me I have to in order to feel better….it's as if he doesn't understand me". Noodle said, sniffling. "I don't want to take it in school". "It's embarrassing". "I hate it…and I guess…I don't know".
"Hey, I'll talk to Double D, kiddo". "He can be kinda harsh, sometimes, huh?". Eddy said, kindly with gentleness. "Yes". Noodle said, sniffling. "Hey, he's hard on me all the time". "I've been in the nurse's office, I've had my sodas confiscated from me, by him". "He's like a woman". Eddy said, gently, as he and Noodle laughed. "But I promise you, he won't bother us if I talk to him". "I'd never want to force you to take something you don't like". "At the same time, I don't want you to deal with excruciating pain". "I'll let you make your own decision, but I'll hope you make the right one". "I hope you weigh the pros, and the cons". "I think the world of you, but I don't want anything to happen to you, either". "If there's something you don't like, we can always talk to your Russ guy together, your dad, and see what we can do". "It'll be ok, honey". Eddy said, gently with kindness. Noodle nodded. "Don't be upset, baby". "Today's a beautiful day, we have little to no homework in Chem, we're doing great". "Maybe we'll hang out at the fry place, later". Eddy said, kindly. "Hey, don't be sad". "Give ol Eddy a smile, give papa some love".
Noodle smiled, sniffling. "Give daddy some love". "Give im a smile, don't be sad, be happy". Eddy said, gently. "I got pickles for pepperin, hor hor, dor". Eddy said, in a funny accent, as Noodle laughed. "There she is….my baby's laughin". "She thinks I'm her funny man". Eddy said, gently. He and Noodle laughed. "Want to split some apple crumble cheesecake?". "It'll pair well with your almond milk". Eddy said, gently. Noodle nodded. They both ate cheesecake, happy to be feeling better.
Eddy lit a cigarette, as Noodle ate her cheesecake. "How's everything going at home, baby?". "Getting along with your dad?". Eddy asked, gently. "I'm getting along ok". Noodle said. "My dad is nice". "But I kind of still have nightmares…it's a lot". "I'm doing ok". school classes. Still, she felt lonely…sullen, and didn't want to take her medicine. One of the Eddy asked, gently. "I'm getting along ok". Noodle said. "My dad is nice". "But I kind of still have nightmares…it's a lot". "I'm doing ok".
"Nightmares are bad, but you're doing well". Eddy said, gently. "You're getting along well with everyone here, I'm sorry you have nightmares, I wish I could help you with that".
"That's ok". Noodle said. "I'm fine".
"You're doing well". Eddy said, kindly. "You're drinking your milk, taking your medicine, You're feeling better, it seems". "You're a new person in many ways". "I'm proud of the woman you've become". "You're our baby genius".
"Thank you". Noodle said. Noodle sniffled as she glanced upwards. "You're doing so well, honey". "Soon, you'll be the valedictorian". "I'm proud of you". Eddy said, gently. Eddy smiled a gentle smile. Noodle sniffled, as she nodded. "Thank you". Noodle said. Noodle drank her milk. "Let me cut you a piece of cheesecake, honey". Eddy said, kindly. Noodle nodded, seeing a piece of cheesecake being cut. They shared a piece, indulging in what was a good day. Noodle was revered in the eyes of men. She was a special girl.
As Noodle came home from school, with a blanket wrapped around her, she glanced at the lounge area she and Gorillaz had in Kong Studios. I'm assuming they named it after King Kong. A famous Gorilla from the movies. Noodle drank from her sippy cup.
A softened, raspy man's voice called her from a bedroom. Noodle walked into the room, seeing a Naked Murdoc, wearing only his boxers, and a back brace as he laid in his bed. "Hey, baby girl". Murdoc said, with a gentle, raspy voice. Noodle nodded, as she drank from her sippy cup.
"You look so beautiful, this afternoon". "How was school?". Murdoc asked, gently as he smoked his cigarette. "It was ok". Noodle said. "I kind of….I kind of got an announcement from the principal that I'm Valedictorian". Noodle drank her milk. "That's wonderful, baby". Murdoc said, gently. "You're doing an amazing job in school". "I'm so proud of you".
"How are you, emotionally?". "Is everything ok?". Murdoc asked, kindly. The rasp, and the depth in his smoking voice was prominent. "Everything is ok". Noodle said. Noodle and Murdoc smiled, knowing perchance, everything would be alright.
While in all other aspects, everyone was doing well, Courage wasn't doing so well. While I had made some dumplings in the other room, Courage had come in, walking with a somewhat hasty gait. It was as if he was hiding something. I looked at Courage, as he held a guilty presence about him.
"How was your day at the park, sweetie?". I asked, gently. I smiled a kind smile. "Fine". Courage said, quickly. "I found some dirt to dig in, I found some pieces, and did some cleaning of litter". I scowled a bit, seeing Courage, and his eyes moving quickly with some essence of lying behind them. I knew I had to investigate. "Courage". I said, gently with some softness to my voice. Courage didn't make eye contact with me. "You seem very hasty this evening….a bit sheepish". "Are you sure everything is going well at the park?". I asked, gently.
"Yes". Courage hurried away, as if he was bad at hiding what he had concealed from me. "Courage, will you come here for a moment?". "We need to talk". I said, gently with softness. Courage, stammering with nervousness, came back in my direction. "...yes?". He asked, nervously. "I got a phone call today from the police department, and from the park official, saying you were causing disruption, and that you were banned from the park". "I know it might be hard to talk about now, but I need you to be honest with me about what happened, today". "Did you get banned from the park?". I asked, kindly.
"Tell me the truth, please". "I won't be disappointed in you". "We'll just work through it the best we can". I said, kindly. Courage nodded, as he sniffled. "I won't be upset, sweetie". "It's ok". I said, gently.
"I was banned". Courage said. "The park official banned me, and the police were called". "I'm no longer part of the nature tour".
Courage sniffled, as his eyes welled up with tears. "I understand". I said, kindly with softness. "I know you were suffering, it'll be ok, my Courage".
I smiled a gentle smile, as I petted Courage, gently. "I know it was a hard time". "It'll be ok". I said, kindly. Courage nodded, as he sniffled. "Can you tell me what happened, dear?". I asked, gently. Courage sniffled, feeling dejected. "I….I was just looking and leading the nature tour….and there were people bullying me, and taking advantage of me". "They were cruel". Courage said. Courage sniffled.
"That can happen sometimes". "I'm just happy we're in a good place". "Maybe we should stay away from the park for a bit". I said, kindly. "The park is a bad place for us right now".
Courage nodded, as he sniffled. "I am surprised at why you would lie to me". I said, gently. "I know perchance right now is a hard time….but I'm surprised you wouldn't trust me enough to tell me the truth about where you were". "I feel saddened that we don't have the trust I thought we had". I said this with softness. "I feel hurt that you wouldn't tell me what truly happened". "Why did you lie to me, Courage?". I asked, softly with gentleness. My dress rustled as I said this. "I didn't want you to be angry with me that I lost my job". Courage said, sniffling. "I thought I was protecting you by lying to you, but now I know that lying doesn't help". "I'm sorry, mom". Courage sniffled, as tears streamed down his cheeks.
"I understand, and I forgive you….but I know somehow, that when a puppy is deprived of his birth mother….when he is traumatized, and at his worst, it can be hard for him to trust anyone, and develop a bond with his caregiver". "You and I were together for years, but you still have some trauma within you….you still have a hard time bonding with me….because you're afraid I'll leave you….and that something will happen to me, just as it happened to your birth parents". I said, gently with wise softness. Courage nodded. "I'm….I…I guess". Courage said, as he sniffled. "I know it's hard right now, my Courage". "I know right now isn't ideal, but I love you unconditionally". "I will always love you, and I'm so in awe of the amazing soul you've become". "Please don't be scared, don't fear what happens, because we both know, how much I love you". "I will make it easy for you…because you've suffered". "Because you've worked so hard to come by where you are". "You're my Courage, and my best friend". I said, gently. Courage nodded, as he sniffled. "Is everything ok, my Courage?". I asked, gently. Courage nodded, as he cried. "Don't be sad, my Courage". "You're doing so well, I'm always so proud of you". I said, kindly with softness. "It just feels like….no matter how hard I try….no matter what I do…I always fail". "I've worked so hard…..I can't meet expectations…..I try my best…but no one seems to see it". "I just…I've tried everything". Courage said. "No one appreciates it….I work hard….but nothing happens". Courage sniffled, as he began crying. "I just….I don't know what to do anymore". Courage said, as he sniffled.
"Don't be sad, sweetie". I said, kindly. "Don't be doubtful, or pensive". "Remember that I love you, and our bond is unsurpassed". "You and I can do anything". I smiled a gentle smile, kissing Courage's cheek. Courage sniffled. "Let's give hugs, and kisses". I said, gently. Courage hugged me, crying into my apron. I could tell he was anxious as well. As I hugged Courage, giving him some weight to calm him, I kissed his cheeks. Courage sniffled, as he cried, putting himself deeper into my apron.
"You'll be alright, my Courage". "Can you tell me what is upsetting you?". I asked, gently with softness. "I'm scared". Courage said, as he sniffled, crying. "What's scaring you, dear?". I asked, softly with gentleness. "I'm scared I'll have a medical episode". "Like I'll have a seizure or something". Courage said. Courage cried in his explanation.
"I promise you, you won't have a seizure, my Courage". "You are so healthy, you have good breathing, a good heart, and a good pulse". "You have a wonderful diet, you're at your goal, nothing will happen, my Courage". "Please don't be worried, my Courage". "You're doing an amazing job". I said, gently with softness. "Don't be sad, darling". "I'll be beside you for a long time". "I love you". I hugged Courage tightly as I kissed his cheeks. "Don't be saddened, my Courage". I said, gently. Courage nodded, as he cried. "I'm beside you, in every way". "You are my everything". I said, gently with softness. Courage nodded, as he sniffled, in his aspect of crying. Courage seemed to be depressed as of now.
"Would you like another bath, sweetie?". "Can I rub your back?". I asked, kindly with softness. Courage nodded, as he cried. "I can take another bath". Courage said, as he sniffled. I smiled a kind smile, as I led Courage to our bathroom, while filling the bathtub with warm water, and soap. "It is perfect in every way, isn't it?". I said, kindly. "It is". Courage said. Courage and I shared a laugh. "Thank you for helping me…and….not being angry with me". Courage said.
"I would never be angry with you, sweetie". "I love you so much, and I agree that while this year has been difficult, we both have been nice with it". "We deserve our recognition". "I hope to give you the love you deserve because you are capable of anything". I said, gently with softness. "Don't be saddened, my Courage". "Know that you can do anything…I'm always proud of you….in every way". I smiled a kind smile, as I filled Courage's bath water with soap. Courage got in, taking his usual bath. "How do you feel, honey?". I asked, gently. "Ok….kind of". Courage said. "I just feel sad that I lost my job". "I feel sad that I disappointed you…and let you down".
"You didn't disappoint me, sweetie". "You were very much ok with everything". "I'm very happy that you tried your best". "That's all anyone could ask for…that makes me happy, and proud". I said, kindly. "You were amazing…and I'm always proud of you".
"I love you no matter what". "I am always proud of you….because you have done so much for the world". "You've given the world so much…you've given me everything…and whatever happened, I forgive you". "I have always loved just how amazing you are". I said, kindly. "Don't be sad, Courage". "Don't cry, I'm not angry with you". "I'm never angry with you". "I love you so much, and I love us". "I would never be upset with you".
"Ok". Courage nodded, as he got in the tub, feeling the warmth of the water. "I'm happy we're ok, my Courage". "I always love you, Courage". I said, gently with softness. Courage nodded. I smiled a kind smile, as I washed his fur with some shampoo. Courage seemed to like the shampoo, he seemed to like the bath as he played in the water. "Wonderful, my Courage". "I'm happy you enjoy it". I said, gently. "We'll have to get you some more rubber duckies". "Perhaps some more floating fish". Courage and I laughed, as he stayed in the tub. "Lavender seems to calm you quite a bit, I see". I said, kindly. "Yes, it is nice". Courage said. He and I both smiled at this. "I remember when you were just a young puppy, you loved the water". "You loved taking baths, you loved playing in the water…swimming". I said, kindly.
"I remember when we first got you as a puppy, you would swim in the pools, and splash around in the puddles". "You loved the water so much". "You and I went swimming a few times". "I loved seeing you in the water, as well". I said, kindly. Courage nodded. "I loved swimming because…because it was kind of freedom for me". "I could do whatever I wanted in the water". Courage said. "Water is a gentle additive". "Water is something we all love being privy to". I said, gently. Courage nodded, as he sniffled. As Courage sniffled, he glanced around, seeing that his sadness was only becoming worse. Sadness is hard on my Courage. I smiled a kind smile, comforting my Courage. "What are you pondering, honey?". I asked, gently. Courage sniffled, as he wiped his eyes. "I'm just….I'm just….I kind of….I kind of feel like I'm trying my best….but I'm not getting anywhere". "I loved my job at the park". "It was like home to me". "But I guess….I guess it's nothing now". Courage said, as he sniffled. "I'm nothing….I'm a failure". I could tell my Courage was about to cry again.
"Sweetie, you're not a failure". I said, kindly with softness. "Please don't come up with fallacies". "You tried so hard, and you did an extraordinary thing for so many people….you've touched so many lives….and you've done so many great things, my Courage". "You truly went above and beyond to give so many a wonderful experience, and for that, I'm always grateful".
"I need you, my Courage". "The world needs you, because you've touched our lives in amazing ways". "There are no words to describe how selfless you've been". "I know right now is difficult, but I promise you, as time goes on, we'll make the world a better place, just by being who we wish to be, and not what others want us to be". "You are extraordinary, and I'm grateful for you". "I would never be angry with you….because you've done so much, and I love you". "Always and forever". I said, gently with softness. Courage nodded. "Thank you". Courage said. "I know you loved the park, sweetie". "You always were very fond of the park". I said, kindly. Courage nodded. "I was….and….I don't know what to do, now". Courage said. "Perhaps we can be open, and know that there is an element of kindness in every aspect….no matter where you go". "We'll find something….I know we will". I said, gently with softness. "Please don't be sad, Courage". "Everything will be ok". I smiled a kind smile, kissing Courage's nose with softness. "Ok". Courage said, as he sniffled. Courage sniffled, as he glanced around, feeling my nuzzles. "Shhh, don't be upset, my Courage". "Don't be sad". "I'm beside you, my best friend". I said, gently in a soft whisper. Courage nodded, as he kept sniffling, his nose running with such rundown. Only because he was upset.
I kissed both of Courage's cheeks, gently, as he sniffled, wiping his eyes of tears. I could tell it was a depressing evening for him. It was a sad evening for him, now, more than ever because he had lost his job. Courage still sniffled, feeling upset. I smiled at Courage, kissing his nose, assuring him that it would be alright. "We'll find something…I promise you". I said, kindly.
"Thank you". Courage said. I nuzzled my Courage, as he finally became relaxed. "Time for some ice cream once we get out". I said, kindly with gentleness. "I have some chocolate butter pecan, some vanilla, and some creme brulee strawberry". "All of our favorites". Courage and I laughed at this. While the bath water went down, I dried Courage off with a towel, putting some baby powder in his fur. "Fresh and sweet". I said, gently. Kissing Courage on the nose, I laughed, nuzzling him. We both were in a better place. Perhaps some ice cream would make it much better.