Chapter 2

After smoking my cigarette, I glanced out into the distance, seeing Nazz come over. Nazz, with her labcoat still on, and her hair bunched up in a bun. She came, sitting down. "Hey, chick magnet". She said, romantically, in her own suave manner. "Chick magnet?". "That seems so colloquial". I said, as I chuckled along with her. "Well, it has a lot of fervor". Nazz commented. "The more fervor, the more flavorful". I said, as we both shared a chuckle.

"How was Sailor today?". "I heard you spent some time with her". Nazz said. "She was fine, for a bit". "She seemed a bit distant for a bit, however, somewhat tearful". I whispered, secretively. "She does have an onset of bad dreams, still". "They aren't nightmares, they're just minor bad dreams". "She still has those, she still has memories of her parents, even if they are a set of being much more pliable with the memory of them". "She's doing well, much better than she had a year ago".

"Mmm". Nazz nodded. "Does she still have trouble expressing grief, and talking about her feelings?". "Opening up, and trusting others?". Nazz asked in a whisper. "She does sometimes become shy when sometime discusses feelings with her, but she has no qualms talking about family, and her relatives". "She is someone who's healed quite a bit". "She is sometimes emotional, but she is very mature". "I love seeing my Sailor". I whispered, glancing outwards to see Sailor come out with her blanket. She sniffled as she came outside. She looked to be exhausted.

"Sailor". Nazz said, gently with kindness. Sailor glanced up at Nazz, sniffling. "Yes?". Sailor asked. "Hey, I noticed you were having a bad night". "Is everything ok?". Nazz asked, gently. "I'm doing ok". Sailor said. "I couldn't sleep…that's all".

"Why don't you come sleep with us, honey?". Nazz said, gently. "We have the sofa bed in our room you can claim if you wish to". "It's ok". Nazz smiled a gentle smile. "I'm ok for right now". Sailor said. "I'm going to be alright…..I think".

"Let me know if you need anything". Nazz said, gently. "Sailor". I said, kindly with gentleness. "Let's get some more Oat Milk, or some juice".

"There was a bug on the ceiling that bit me on the face". Sailor said. "It made a big bruise, but I'll be ok". "I'll be fine". Sailor sniffled.

"Aww, I'm sorry to hear that, honey". I said, gently. "You ok?".

"I'm fine, it's not the worst thing to happen to me recently". "But it's right up there with it". Sailor said.

"Let's put a band-aid on that bruise". I said, gently. I led Sailor into the kitchen, where I refilled her Oat Milk, and gave her a band-aid. "What happened that was so bad, honey?". I asked, gently with kindness. "I lost my job…I kind of…I kind of have nowhere to stay". "I don't know what else to do, I don't know where else to go". Sailor said.

"I understand". I said, gently. "Sometimes, things can be hard for us, but I'm sure things will be ok if you stay positive". "Positivity is something we find joy in, no matter how bad things get". "We'll be ok, in due time".

"Don't be doubtful, in time things will mend themselves". "You just need to focus on you, and the best you can be". "Things will be ok…be confident and you'll receive rewards". "Know how much I love you, and how proud I am of you". "You've done amazing things for so many of us".

"Be happy that you're here, and you're at peace". "A peaceful person is a loving person, who is positive and forgiving towards the world she lives in". I said, gently. "It'll be ok, Sailor". "You'll be ok, honey". "Don't cry…be happy".

"I have some cookies as well that might help you feel better". "I have Oatmeal raisin, those are your favorite, I remember". I said, gently. "Kind of". Sailor said. "I guess they are ok".

"If you'd like some, I have some in my bedroom". "I always have some in case someone needs one". I smiled a kind smile.

"Thank you". Sailor said. Sailor sniffled. "Let's go upstairs, now and get ready for bed, honey". I said, gently. "You did great today, though".

"Thank you". Sailor said. Sailor walked upstairs, glancing around as she walked. "Why don't you come sleep in my room for a bit?". I said, gently. "Ok". Sailor said. "If I can".

"I insist, sweetie". "We have a sofa bed beside our bed, with nice sheets we saved just for you". I said, gently. "Let's use that, have some Oat Milk, and read a story, honey".

"Ok". Sailor said. Sailor walked into my room, as I sat down on the bed. "Would you like some blankets, or some pillows?". I asked, gently. "I have some if you need some".

"I'm ok for right now". Sailor said, as she got into the sofa bed. She sat, putting the blankets over her. "Everything will be alright now". I said, gently. "I know it will be ok". "I'm beside you now, honey". I smiled a gentle smile, stroking her face. "Thank you". Sailor said. "I'm doing ok, though".

"I'm happy you are, honey". I said, gently. "I feel good for you, you're in a good place".

"I love you, sweetie". I said, kindly as I smiled a gentle smile, stroking Sailor's face. "I love you too". Sailor said. Sailor sniffled as she glanced down at the bed. "I know you're doing well, be positive". I said, gently. "Good things will come to you, if you believe they will". "Life is something we all know we can benefit from". I smiled a gentle smile, stroking my dear Sailor's face, kindly.

Sailor glanced up at me, as she snuck under the blankets. Her eyes were ready to fall as she felt the stroke of my thumbs. "Everything will be ok". I whispered, gently. "I promise you, I will take care of you, honey". "You'll be ok…don't be worried, be happy". I whispered, kindly. Sailor nodded, as she felt herself falling asleep. "I love you, my Sailor". I whispered, with gentleness. Sailor looked up before falling asleep. "I love you, too". She said, as her eyes closed, and she drifted off to bed. I smiled a kind smile again, knowing my Sailor was in a good place. She needed reassurance right now, now that she knew her parents had passed away. I loved Sailor, she is my present from above, and I knew I was going to mentor her, in a way only I could.

Sailor awoke that night, seeing me in my bed, as she stood with a vulnerable look on her face. Her eyes looked to be exhausted. I smiled a gentle smile, glancing over the bed. "Hi, sweetie". I said, gently. "It's good to see you". My voice was in a gentle, whisper.

"Hi". Sailor said, as she glanced upwards. "Is everything ok, honey?". I asked, in a gentle whisper. "I guess….I was just kind of wondering if we had any milk…or any juice". Sailor said. "I guess…I guess…I guess I had a nightmare". Sailor sniffled.

"Of course, sweetie". I whispered, kindly as I glanced over the bed. "Let's get some milk, and some medicine for your bruise". I smiled a kind smile, as I slid over the side of the bed, walking with Sailor down to the kitchen. Sailor stood, patiently, as she waited for her milk. "I have some medicine for your face, baby". "I also have some Oat Milk for you, honey". I said, kindly.

"Let's drink some Oat Milk, honey". I said, kindly with softness. Sailor nodded. "Here you go, sweetie". I said, as I poured some medicine into a cup for Sailor. "Ok". Sailor replied as she drank the medicine cup. Sailor's eyes looked wide, and pleading.

"Is everything ok, honey?". I asked, in a gentle whisper, seeing Sailor's eyes, as they remained wide, and pleading with a certain sadness about them. Sailor shook her head, as she glanced upwards, holding onto her Oat Milk sippy cup. "What happened, darling?". I asked, gently in a kind whisper. Sailor glanced upwards, holding her sippy cup close. "I miss my parents….and my sister". Sailor said, as she sniffled. "I miss them a lot". Sailor looked as if she was about to cry, with a solemn, upset trajectory.

"I understand". I whispered, gently. "Mom and dad meant a lot to you…they meant a lot to us, in their aspects". "I know just how hard it can be". "Parents are an important source of fundamental growth for children". "Children need their parents in order to grow, develop, sustain, and become someone important". "Children, at birth, when they first come out of the womb, need their birth mother's breast milk, they need a kiss on the forehead, a soft song, and a soft hum in order for them to open their eyes, and see the world for the first time". "Children, babies need that". I stroked Sailor's cheek, gently as she drank from her sippy cup. Sailor nodded at my statement.

"When you were young, you lost your birth mother….she passed away". I said, softly with gentleness. "Oh". Sailor replied, as she glanced upwards. "but…I still had a family….I was still adopted". "And my family loved me". Sailor said. I nodded, kindly. "Yes, your family loved you, tremendously". "Your adoptive mother and father gave you so much love, and kindness". "They provided for you…even at the beginning when they didn't know much about you". "They were so kind, and you were the perfect daughter for them….alongside Ana". I said, gently.

"The bond with a family is the strongest bond someone can have….whether they were adopted into it, or not". "The bond between family is a strong, colloquial, loving bond". "I've come to notice that you are someone with so much love, tenacity, amazement, and intelligent maturity about you". "You are very accepting, and patient". "I love that about you, more and more". I said, gently with kindness. Sailor nodded. "Thank you". She replied.

I smiled a gentle smile, as Sailor drank her milk. "You look exhausted, baby". "Perchance we should head upstairs". I said, gently with softness. Sailor nodded, as she drank more of her milk. I glanced around, seeing that Nazz had gone outside, or perhaps to another room. "Want to sleep on the pillow beside me?". I asked, in a gentle whisper, cracking a kind smile. "Yes". Sailor said, as she nodded. I smiled, as I kissed both of Sailor's cheeks, gently, while she and I headed upstairs. There was a turtle pillow, a round turtle pillow, Sailor had brought from her house, after her family had passed. She loved sleeping on top of it, as it was the pillow her mother bought her, when she and her sister, Ana, were babies. Sailor came upstairs, sleeping on top of the turtle pillow, beside me, as she curled up, using her blanket to cover up with. She slept soundly, as I reached over, rubbing her back, gently. She didn't seem to notice, as she was sound asleep. Smiling, I noticed she was perfectly content, and that she didn't mind when I rubbed her back. It only meant that we were content where we were.

Sailor woke up late the next morning, glancing outside, as she yawned a bit. I noticed my Sailor was feeling much better, perhaps, as she came outside, seeing Nazz. "hey, sunshine". Nazz said, kindly, with gentleness behind her voice. Sailor nodded. "Hi". she replied, tiredly. "I have something I think we both might enjoy". "It's something I made with all of the ingredients I had in the pantry". "I knew we would need it at some point". Nazz said, kindly with soft, feminine gentleness behind her voice. Sailor nodded. "This is Apple Crumble cheesecake pudding". "I made it for Edd the other night, but, secretly, I originally made it with you in mind". "It's all ours, baby girl". Nazz said, gently. Nazz smiled a gentle smile, setting some pudding down in front of Sailor, gently. Sailor nodded. "And never worry, it's made with Oat Milk, and gluten-free compounds". "We won't have to be concerned about something tragic, like dairy, or casein". Nazz said, kindly.

Nazz smoked her cigarette, glancing upwards. Sailor glanced down at her pudding, as I came outside. I smiled a kind smile. "Hello, darling". I said, romantically to Nazz. I kissed Nazz's lips, kindly, while we both laughed.

"Hey, puchi". Nazz said, as she giggled. "Mm, Sailor looks to be enjoying her pudding". "It's a great delicacy in its recipe". I said, as I sat down beside Sailor.

"Mm, I thought it could be something we enjoy as a family". "Our own happy family". Nazz said, gently, with suave rapport, as she smiled. I was so delighted, I felt like clapping my hands. "Isn't she amazing?". I said to Sailor, kindly. Sailor nodded. "She is". Sailor said.

"You are so beautiful, too, turtledove". I said, gently with kindness, as I kissed both of Sailor's cheeks, kindly. "Thank you". Sailor said. "I think now, it's time for my turtledove to have some breakfast". I said, kindly. "Some breakfast, with some kisses". I smiled a gentle smile, booping Sailor's nose. "Ok". Sailor said. I picked up a spoonful of pudding, feeding Sailor. "Open up, beautiful". I said, kindly. Sailor opened her mouth, allowing me to spoon feed her. Sailor sat, as she ate every bite full of pudding. She allowed herself to be spoonfed, spoiled, as in between bites, I kissed both of her cheeks. Some pudding dribbled down her chin, as I wiped it up. "There we are, no mess, no hassle, just some nice pudding". "And a kiss from me to you". I said, gently. With every bite, I kissed both of Sailor's cheeks. Sailor nodded, as she ate, plentifully.

Sailor seemed to enjoy every bite, as she loved being kissed on both cheeks. Being kissed was a lovely additive for her, as she enjoyed being fed. "There we are, turtledove". "Some kisses for my love". I said, kindly. When the pudding was finished, Sailor and I nuzzled, glad that we were close.

"I love you, my baby girl". "I will always love you". Nazz said, gently, as she snuck a kiss on Sailor's cheek. Sailor smiled, as she felt love from every source. "I do have to go to work as of now, but I'll see you later, honey". "I'll make you a nice dinner, and we'll have some Oat Ice cream with cashews". Nazz said, kindly with softness. She nuzzled Sailor, gently. "Thank you". Sailor said. "Thank you so much".

"Of course, baby". "Have a wonderful day with Double D". Nazz said, kindly. She kissed Sailor's nose, gently. Sailor waved goodbye, as she sat, eating the last bite of pudding. "I shall see you later, darling". I said, romantically, as I kissed Nazz on the lips. "See you, darlin". Nazz replied, as her kisses were met with romance. I smiled a dreamy smile, watching Nazz walk away. "Hmm, she's someone amazing". I said, dreamily. Sailor agreed. As I sat, lighting a cigarette, I glanced outwards, seeing if there was anything else. My face, in all of its wrinkles, was illuminated by the lighter flame. "Mm, this is a wonderful morning". I said, sitting back, as I brought the singing cigarette to my lips, while the end piece lit up with ash. "Mmm". I mumbled to myself. I lowered the cigarette, blowing out some smoke. "How are you this morning, turtledove?". "Is everything ok?". I asked, gently, with kindness, as some cigarette ash fell into my tea. Sailor nodded. She glanced off to the side for a bit. "Sweetie, you seem a bit pensive this morning". "I've noticed you're not yourself". "Is everything ok?". I asked, gently with softness.

Sailor nodded. "Kind of". Sailor replied, with a bit of pensive sound behind her voice. "Hmm…kind of?". "Sweetie, I just couldn't help but notice that something might be troubling you". "I'm a bit curious now, as to what it may be". "If you're ok to have a discussion". I said, gently with kindness. Sailor nodded. "I kind of…am sad". Sailor said, as she sniffled.

"What's making you sad, turtledove?". I asked, kindly with softness behind my kind voice. "I…I…I miss my parents". Sailor said. "I miss my mom and dad". "And I guess….I need them….more than I need anyone else". Sailor sniffled as she said this.

I nodded, kindly. "What's the most comforting memory you have of them?". I asked, gently with softness. "I guess….I guess when I went on vacation with them". Sailor said. "When I went on vacation….and had fun". "When I went Trick-or-Treating with them on Halloween, when we had Christmas…I guess the best time was when my sister and I would go to bed…and…and…my dad would carry us on his shoulders". "It was the best time". Sailor sighed as she said this.

"I can't….I can't believe they're gone now". Sailor said, sniffling. I nodded, kindly. "That day was a terrible day…when you lost them". "I know it was a bad memory". I said, gently with softness. "What was the worst part about that day?". I asked, softly with gentleness.

"...knowing they weren't coming back". Sailor said. Sailor sniffled. "Knowing that they weren't sleeping….they were gone". Sailor sniffled back some tears.

"I know it's been hard for you, baby". "Losing your parents…losing your sister, and then believing nothing could be done". "Losing family…losing a biological sister is the worst thing that could happen". I said, gently with softness. "Family is the most nurturing aspect we have in today's world". "Family is what brings us together, in essence".

"What were your feelings on that day?". "Did you feel scared at all?". I asked, gently with softness. "I did". Sailor said. "I felt really scared that something would happen".

"I know being scared is the worst thing". "I don't like being scared, either". I said, softly with kindness. "But I know that you have something most people your age lack". "You have a special gift that most people are without, these days". "You have an amazing additive".

"What's that?". Sailor asked. "It is the gift of strength". I said, gently with softness. "You are the strongest person, the best person I've seen in my workings". "You have such an enduring nature, you can do anything, and accomplish anything you put your mind to". "And it is usually with ease". I smiled a kind smile.

"But you continue to work so hard, and be so valuable". "I've never seen you give up, or back down from a challenge". "You and I are so similar in that respect". "Why is it that you're an overachiever like me?". I said, gently with kindness. "I don't know". Sailor said. "I guess I was kind of like that when I was little".

"You were also like that recently, as well". I said, gently. "You're very strong…I might have an answer as to why but…I'd be curious to know your reason".

"well…I don't really know….but…I guess I like school". "I always wanted to work past what I thought my limits were…and go on to succeed, and do great things". "I never limited myself". Sailor replied.

"Mmm, there's that". I said, gently, as I blew out more smoke. "But I've also observed that perhaps it is a method of putting the trauma behind you, and being motivated to look towards the future". "I see it in you, and I know you're such a hard worker, you never let anything bother you, but I wonder if it's ever exhausting, or too much for you to be overachieving". I said, kindly.

"No, I'm ok…but I do miss my parents". "And over the years, I've had to rely completely on myself to do everything". "I've had to rely on myself to be clean, get my homework done, and care for myself". "I usually never ask for help". Sailor said. Sailor sniffled.

"Perhaps it's not a bad thing to ask for help". I said, gently with kindness. "Asking for help is something we all should do". "But know that, even the most self-reliant people rely on others sometimes". "Relying on others means we're strong in our own way". "We need others to help us survive whatever pain we're struggling with".

"I'm always here to comfort you, I'm always beside you…because I love you". "I love you so much, and I've seen the amazing young lady you've become, and I love her". "I love who she is, and what she does for others". I said, kindly with gentleness. "I need you, the world needs you, but even more than that, you need me". I was wise, and kind with Sailor as she nodded in understanding.

"I guess". Was her reply. "Everything will be alright, because we have each other". I said, kindly with gentleness. Sailor nodded. I tapped some ash from my cigarette. There was a distinct pause before I spoke.

"What happened on that day….that your family passed?". I asked, kindly with softness. "well…I was with my family on the plane….we all sat together…my sister was on one side, my parents were behind me…and the plane started rocking side to side, there was lightning that struck the plane…and….pretty soon, the plane went down…and…it crashed". "I woke up later…and I went to check on my family…I thought they were sleeping….but they were….they were….gone". Sailor said. "I walked through the woods to find a police station, and they got me to a hospital, they took the bodies of my family….we buried them…and…I go to visit their graves every year". Sailor said. She sniffled, as her voice had some emotion to it.

"That's all I remember". Sailor said, sniffling. "I understand". I whispered, gently. "I know it was hard for you to overcome". "Usually, grief is hard to overcome". "But I can say, I am proud of you, more so than you will ever know, because you were able to be so strong, and triumph over it". "You were so amazing, and so persevering, I know one day, you will change the world, Sailor". "You are an incredible young lady". "I will love you more than you will ever know". I smiled a gentle smile as Sailor nodded. She blinked back tears. "I have loved you, love you, and will love you, forever". I whispered, kindly. "Ok". Sailor said, as she sniffled.

Sailor seemed to sniffle, as she fought back tears. "I will never see my family again". She said, dismally, as she sounded tearful. She sniffled, licking the sniffle that came down her nose.

I put my cigarette aside, opening my arms for a hug. "Shh, it's ok, sweetie". I whispered, gently. "It's ok". "I'm beside you". "I'll make sure nothing happens". "Everything is ok". My whispers were kind, gentle, and loving. Sailor sniffled as she looked to be depressed.

"Ok". Sailor said. I smiled a gentle smile, as Sailor fought back some more tears. "Let's hug, darling". I whispered, gently. Sailor toddled over, as I gave her a warm, tight hug, rubbing her back. Sailor sniffled, fighting emotion. I could tell she was depressed. I stroked her cheek, gently, pushing aside a strand of her hair. "Shh, shhh, shh, it's alright, honey". "It's alright, now". "Everything is ok". I whispered, gently. Sailor nodded, as she fought back tears. "This too, shall pass". I whispered, kindly. Sailor nodded, sniffling. "I know". She replied, calmly, while she still blinked back moisture, and a wet spot at the corner of her eye, in a mature way.

"Want some kisses, honey?". "I have some special ones just for you". I whispered, gently. Sailor nodded, as I kissed both of her cheeks, gently. Sailor smiled, as I kept kissing her cheeks, and forehead. While Sailor enjoyed the kisses, I kept stroking her cheeks, pushing back any strands her bangs left behind her forehead.

Sailor calmed down, smiling as we nuzzled, in laughter. "What do you say we go inside, and watch some television?". I said, kindly. "We'll relax, watch some T.V. and snuggle up".

Sailor nodded, as we headed inside. Curling up on her pillow, she laid her head down, staring at the television, while she had her head rested on a nearby pillow. This didn't seem to bother her, as she rested, quietly. I smiled a gentle smile, rubbing her back, happy she was in a better place. We both relaxed, taking a rest for the remainder of the day. It was a happy day, full of rest and relaxation. That to which, until I decided to make a meal for the three of us.