Chapter 18

We come to something different now…because I am bored, sitting at home with Nazz. literally, there is nothing fun for us to do since she's on bed rest. So, we'll change frames to a certain, plucky hero, who can turn invisible. Space Ghost. Thaddeus T. Ghostal. That's his real name…his superhero alias is Space Ghost. Let's turn the dial to Space Ghost…and his escapades.

Tad sat on the porch, smoking a cigarette, as he read the paper. He's from the 1960's..so.

He saw Jan come outside…holding her teddy bear. Walking around. "How are you, honey?". Tad Ghostal asked, gently. "Fine, perhaps". Jan said, sullen as she stared at the ground. "Fine, perhaps?". "That doesn't sound so confident". Tad said, kindly. "Come sit by me, rose blossom". "Keep me company for a few moments". "It's good to see you this late, outside of home, and missions". "But I must ask…why are you awake this late?". "Certainly sleep eludes you". Tad said, gently. Jan nodded. "I had a bad dream". Jan said. "What happened in your dream, pudd'n?". Tad asked, kindly with gentleness. "I don't know…there was a thunderstorm". Jan said, as she sniffled. "Perhaps a bad dream since the harvest moon is coming". "That, and Zorak has bothered with you again". "Zorak is a nasty villain, isn't he?". Tad said, kindly with gentleness and a softened, silky voice. "He is". Jan replied.

"Well, I promise you, rose blossom…he won't get to you anymore". "I know it's been quite a week, hasn't it?". Tad whispered, kindly. Jan nodded.

"My baby…I love cuddling with you…our late night chats, our bedtime kisses, and songs". "Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayers". "I love spoiling you because…you're my littlest…you're the baby…the last one". "But certainly not least". Tad said, in a cuddly, kind voice. "I know, daddy". Jan said, as she and Tad shared a laugh. "I have something to share with you, darling". "Since it is very boring out here". "I'd like to entice us with". Tad said, kindly. Jan looked up at Tad, as the sound of rustling silk was heard. Like a fabric rustling…like silk sheets. I know that all too well, as a homemaker in these easy, scintillating times. Laundry is the formality of the day in our house.

But silk rustled, as Tad showed Jan something. "What is that, daddy?". Jan asked, holding her sippy cup close to her. Jan Ghostal is so cute. She's like my Sailor. She and Sailor are cute buttons.

"This, is a magic trick I learned when I was away on Naval duty". Tad whispered, kindly. "First, you see the matches, daddy uses to smoke his yuckies…now, with a wave of my hand…they…disappear". Tad whispered, elated, with jazz hands, as he removed the kerchief sheet, revealing a glass of warm milk for Jan. "Here we are, rose blossom". "A nice glass of warm indulgence for my baby". "Daddy's baby". "The secret is deception…the art of trickery to fool the naked eye". Tad said, kindly…explaining the magic trick.

Jan clapped her hands, laughing. "Here we are, baby". "Enjoy to the fullest…because daddy wants his baby blossom to get a good night's rest". "Our fun daddy-baby blossom day is in the morning, too". Tad reminded, kindly. "Ok". Jan replied. "Yes, I want baby blossom to have her night's rest so we can play, and have fun tomorrow". Tad said, gently. Jan nodded.

Jan looked sad as she looked off to the side. "Is everything alright, rose blossom?". "Rosey cheeks?". "You always have red cheeks when I see you…that's a baby thing". Tad whispered, kindly. "I do…but…daddy I'm scared". "What if I have another nightmare tonight?". "What do I do?". Jan asked, in a small, fragile voice. "Well, tonight, you can just sleep with daddy in his bed…and I promise, there won't be any nightmares". "I'll protect you, and snuggle you…keep my rose blossom safe so she can have her funtime in slumberland". Tad whispered, kindly.

"Ok". Jan replied, as she drank her milk. "Let daddy snuggle you from behind…and wrap you in a big hug…a big chocolate hug". Tad whispered, kindly. Tad and Jan laughed, as they shared a warm hug. "Time for bed, little one". Tad whispered, gently. "Let's head inside now, so we can get tucked in". Tad smiled a kind smile. Jan laughed and giggled, as Tad stroked her cheeks. "Time to settle down now, little one". "We have to get into the mindset of bedtime". "We need our beauty rest". Tad whispered, kindly as he held Jan's hands, massaging them.

I love when Jan is happy. It kind of reminds me of when Sailor is happy at night, and giggly. She is so excited, and jovial. And sometimes, I do remind her gently to focus…concentrate on winding down for bedtime. Slow the mind, and body down in order to ease into something calming, and mundane. sailor…I love when she's happy and smiling. It's better and cheaper than wine or cigarettes. Nicotine.

When I gently remind her, I whisper to her, stroke her cheeks softly, and use a loving, nurturing tone. She always listens….she's very focused. She's like my pupil, and I'm her teacher. The relationship works for Tad and Jan as well. Tad is the teacher, and nurturer to his student, and excellent mentee, daughter Jan. They work well that way.

In that aspect, Tad gently reminded Jan, as he wrapped her up in the blanket for a warm hug. He spoke to her in a loving, gentle, cuddly tone. "Now…Jan…rose blossom". Tad whispered, kindly. "Yes?". Jan asked, still laughing. "Let's try to prepare ourselves for bed now". "Try to focus….focus…on the element of calm". Tad said, gently in a kind, softened, bedtime voice. "Ok, daddy". Jan replied, as she looked up at Tad. "Thank you, honey". Tad whispered, kindly. Tad picked Jan up in his arms, carrying her to the bedroom. She got in on the other side, wrapped in her blanket, as Tad snuggled with her. "Goodnight, rose blossom". Tad whispered, kindly. Kissing Jan's cheeks. "Goodnight, daddy". Jan replied. Tad smiled as he fell asleep. Space Ghost resolved more as he was asleep.

Sailor was about to head into bed as well. "Goodnight, coochie". Lee whispered, kindly. "See you tomorrow…love you". Lee smiled a gentle smile, hugging Sailor warmly. "Goodnight". Sailor replied. "See you in the morning". Sailor went off to bed…happy that she was appreciated, and very proud of the influence she had on others. Well then.

Sailor, Nazz and I had a boring time these next few days. Although, one evening, Sailor was in our bedroom, as I folded part of the sheets. She laughed and smiled, holding her sippy cup. I smiled and giggled along with her. "My, sweetheart, you are jovial this evening". I said, kindly with softness. I wrapped her in a softened, gentle, warm blanket. "I love hearing you laugh…you have the cutest laugh". I whispered, gently. Sailor nodded. "Thank you". Sailor said. "I'm really elated that you're happy this evening". I said, softly in a gentle whisper. "Ok". Sailor said, as we both laughed. I nuzzled my Sailor.

"Well now, darling…let's try to now focus on settling the mind…preparing now for bed". "Let's calm down, now". "Let's try to settle now for bed". "Focus…concentrate, and ready yourself for bed". I said, kindly with softness. Sailor nodded. "Ok". she replied.

"Time to wind down now, does that sound good?". I asked, kindly with softness. Sailor nodded as she came into my arms, laying her head down on my shoulder. She went to sleep. And I went to sleep as well…coming into my own for bedtime.

A few days, and months later, Nazz was even more pregnant than she was previously. She woke up one morning, in the elegance of a cold spell. "Well, it is cold, huh?". Nazz said, in a mumble as she stretched. "Yes, it is..but it's the eloquence of fall". I said, kindly. "That's just how it is…perhaps". I chuckled a bit.

"Hey, how would you like to go to the pumpkin farm today?". "They have some nice family things there we could do". "Would that be of necessity?". I asked, as I smiled a bit. "Maybe…it would be nice to take Sailor there for a bit to cheer her up". "She's been feeling kind of depressed recently". Nazz whispered. "I've noticed that about her as well". I whispered in reply. "She seems pretty sad about a few things, recently". "I think something about her grandma has her very saddened right now".

Nazz nodded. "Mmm". she replied. "What about her grandma?".

I shifted a bit in bed. "Her grandma was sick for a while, and she's worried about her". "She's worried something will happen to her aunt as well". I whispered. "Sailor's been depressed for a couple days now…her eating and sleeping patterns haven't changed…but she's been pretty tired, low on energy, she's very quiet, sometimes, tearful". "She's been pretty saddened for a while…the changing of seasons has an effect as well". I pursed my lips as I said this.

"Aww". Nazz whispered, sympathetically as her lips buttoned. "I'm sorry to hear that". "I hope she's ok now".

I whispered a bit. "She's alright now…but sometimes, she has her moments". I whispered, kindly. "I feel bad for her, though". "I was worried a bit ago, but I'm sure the right sleeping, and Cannabis medicines, mixed with her heart medicines will help her get through it". "but…I'll give her some medicines this morning, that'll help relax her, and soothe her through the day". "I might give her a drop of Xanax".

Nazz nodded. "The heart medicine she's on now…Philothropine is a psych med that's used for ischemia patients with ventricle injuries". "Give her some of that, and she'll be really calm, really sleepy…it'll be like a euphoria for her". Nazz whispered. "And some Xanax".

"Mmm". I nodded. I looked around as I coughed a bit. "But the farm will cheer her up". "She'll get to pick pumpkins, we'll invite Eddy and Lee, it'll be nice". I whispered. Nazz pursed her lips. "Maybe". She replied. She got out of bed, sauntering as she put on her pregnancy clothes, and a dressy scarf. I put on a collared shirt with a necktie, and a scarf, with an overcoat, and heeled shoes. I tied my tie in the bedroom, scruffling it, to fit, and to tie at both ends.

Sailor came to the bedroom, seeing me tie my tie. "Hello, darling". I said, kindly with gentleness, and a softened voice. "How are you this morning?". My voice was softened, and kind. "Fine, kind of". Sailor said, with a pensive disposition.

"Is everything alright, honey?". "How are you feeling?". I asked, kindly with softness. "I'm kind of worried about Grandma, still". Sailor said. I straightened my tie. "Well, I know it's been hard, coochie". "It's been hard for me to see you worried like so". I said, softly with gentleness. "I know". Sailor replied. "Well now, what if we had a special day at the pumpkin farm?". "We can pick pumpkins, we can ride the hayride, drink some apple cider, it's a beautiful fall day". "We can have as much fun as we wish, baby girl". I whispered, kindly. Sailor nodded. "I'm sure we can". Sailor said, as she sighed.

"Coochie, come give me a hug and a kiss". I whispered, gently. "Right here, on my cheek if you will". I lowered my cheek for Sailor. Then, I gave her a warm hug. "Everything will be alright". "This will take your mind off of it". I promised, gently. Sailor nodded.

I smiled a kind smile. "Oh yes, I just remembered now…we need to take your medicine now before we go out". I said, in a gentle whisper. "My medicine?". Sailor asked. "Yes, some heart medicine, and some other medicine Nazz wishes for us to try". I whispered, kindly. Sailor nodded. "Why do I have to take other medicine?". Sailor asked. "Well, maybe because you've been nervous, and stressed lately". "This will help you set your sights on relaxation, enjoyment, and fulfillment". "You'll be alright…I promise". I whispered, gently. Sailor looked off to the side. "Ok". "I'll try it". Sailor said. I smiled as I fed her the appropriate syrups, she drank them. "Thank you, coochie". I whispered, kindly. Sailor nodded.

I smiled as I finished tying my tie, putting my overcoat on. I also put my heeled shoes on, as we were ready. "Here, honey…let's bundle you up now". I whispered, kindly. Sailor nodded, as I put on her coat over her pajamas. "There you go, coochie". "Nice and warm". I said, in a loving, cuddly, softened manner. Sailor looked around, drinking from her sippy cup. "It's ok, honey". "No need to be so sad…everything will be wonderful". I said, gently. Sailor nodded. "Smile for me, honey". "It's ok, now". I assured, kindly. "Pretty soon, your medicine will kick in, and you'll just go with the flow". I smiled a gentle smile. Sailor nodded.

"I love you, honey". "You and I know it". I said, gently. Sailor nodded. "I love you too". Sailor replied. I hugged Sailor, wiping her face with baby wipes. "There you go, coochie". I whispered, kindly. Sailor shook her head, as she sniffled. She only replied with a brief, "Thank you".

Eddy and Lee came over, bundled up in their fall gear. Eddy smiled as he saw Sailor. "Hi honey". He said, calmly and sensibly, as he hugged Sailor. "Hi". Sailor replied, as she yawned. "You look so beautiful, sweetie". "I love your jammies….a work of art, I must say". Eddy said, kindly. "Thank you". Sailor replied. Eddy smiled a kind smile. "You are my baby angel, sweetie". "You always look like a million". Eddy said, gently. "Thank you". Sailor replied. Eddy smiled as he tickled Sailor's cheeks. "You look so cutesy buttons today". "Me likey". Eddy said, kindly. Sailor nodded, as she looked away…albeit for a moment. "Thank you". Sailor replied.

I nodded, as I looked outside. "Frost is unbearable…even now". I said, grimacing. "It truly is". Eddy replied. I muttered some other things, as the ladies, Nazz and Lee went in one car, Sailor, Eddy and I went in another. We clicked in, putting our seatbelts on, as Eddy's car hummed to life. Eddy looked out of the window, seeing the colored leaves on the trees, and the frost covering much of everything.

"This cold was something else, I'll say". "Lee and I were able to sleep last night, but we used multiple blankets". Eddy said. I looked back at Sailor, resting my head on the seat. "Mm, Sailor and I had a good night's rest, didn't we, coochie?". I stated, kindly, looking back at Sailor. "We did". Sailor replied. "Sailor slept in my bed last night". "She was very good, she went right to sleep…and she had pleasant dreams…huh, cooch?". I said, gently. "Sure". Sailor replied. I stared back at Sailor…seeing her as she read her books. I watched her, protectively. Though I knew she was safe, I wanted to make sure she was ok.

I kept an eye on her, making sure she was alright, as we locked eyes in a moment. I smiled a gentle smile, seeing her as she sat, looking up at me. We shared a pleasant moment. Sailor Menendez. She was my darling. And I loved her the same. Our bond was marvelous. And she was a Saint in every aspect of the way.

I smiled, as I rested my head there…understanding how tired she was…and how I felt the same way. I nurtured the aspect of rest. And even so, I felt nuanced in it. We parked the car, as the ladies got out. Nazz yawned as she met up with me. "Mmm, we're not even 3 seconds into it, and I'm already tired". Nazz said. "Me too, and I rested well last night". I replied, as I coughed a bit. I felt like smoking a cigarette. We all did…we all craved it. Yet, we all gave up smoking for the new babies that were coming.

I felt a headache come over me in that moment. Where the cold bothers you, and everything hurts because you're older than you want to admit. That was us. "Mmm, babe…what do you wish to do?". Nazz asked, in a tired mumble.

"Whatever Sailor prefers…though she seems tired as well". "Huh, coochie?". I asked, gently as Sailor laid her head against my coat. "What, huh?". Sailor asked, looking up at me, as her eyes blinked back tiredness. "Coochie, is there anything special we'd like to do on our fun day?". "They have the hayride, there's the pumpkin painting, they have a cider tasting, they have Apple crumble cheesecake, they have so many entertaining things". "Whichever one you wish to do". I said, in a kind, softened whisper. Sailor nodded. "Can we do the hayride?". Sailor asked, in a small, fragile voice. "We certainly can, baby". I whispered, kindly. Nazz ran her fingers through her hair. "Hayride, I guess?". Nazz asked…sounding puzzled.

"We are definitely doing the Hayride". I said, kindly. "Mm, maybe I'll go once, and then paint a pumpkin or something". Nazz mumbled, as I helped her up. "You are due any day now, hmm?". I muttered, kindly with some degree of sympathy. "I am…but…it's not that bad". Nazz replied.

"Maybe not, in some aspects". I muttered, with some apprehension to the logic Nazz presented. "Don't….remind of how bad the birth will be". "I've done my research". Nazz said, with some grittiness to her voice.

"Maybe so…we can almost be sure". I replied, kindly. Nazz and I muttered some more conversation, as we got on the Hayride. Sailor stood by herself, looking outwards. "Sailor". I said, in a kind, therapeutic voice. Sailor turned her head a bit. "What?". She asked.

"Nothing important, honey". "I'm just making sure you're staying focused". I said, kindly with gentleness. "And that you're enjoying yourself". "Today is a beautiful Fall day, doesn't it seem so?". I said, with gentle love, and softness to a tender voice. "It is…and I like it". Sailor replied.

"I like it, too". I replied, kindly with softness. Sailor and I smiled. "Would you like to come sit beside me on the hayride?". "I have a special place for you beside Nazz and I, honey". I said, kindly with gentleness. "Ok". Sailor replied, as she came with us on the hayride. Eddy helped Lee onto the hay wagon, as I helped Nazz and Sailor on as well.

"Thank you". Sailor replied. "Of course, honey". I replied, gently. We rode the wagon, up and down, as it wheeled along, and a man dressed in a sheet came on, and "scared" us. It was pretty nice for the most part. After the hayride, we went back to the park benches.

"That was nice…in every aspect". Nazz said, as she rested her head on my shoulder. "Indeed it was". I replied, kindly. "I liked the Fall foliage…that's always a selling point". Nazz and I shared a laugh.

"It is". Nazz replied. Sailor drank from her cup, looking around. "We should go paint some pumpkins, sweet girl". Lee said, kindly with softness as she tickled Sailor's cheeks. "Want to?". "It'd be such a sweet thing to give to your aunt when you go home later on". Lee suggested, kindly. "Ok". Sailor said, as she stood up, walking with Lee, and Nazz. Lee smiled a kind smile, brushing Sailor's cheeks, kindly. "You look so beautiful, honey". Lee whispered, kindly. "Thank you". Sailor said, as she painted a pumpkin.

From the distance, Eddy and I stood, watching, with our arms folded, talking in our prominent overcoats. We looked like army men.

No one needs to know what our conversation consisted of…but we muttered a few things, talked about how exhausted we both were. Our organs were exhausted as well. From sex.

We talked, while the ladies painted pumpkins. Around us, quiet, and sanguine peace as older folks walked about, and enjoyed the crafts they had on display.

The ladies reunited with us, as Sailor felt tired. "Coochie". I said, gently with a kind smile. I looked at Sailor as she yawned…exhausted. "Yes?". Sailor asked, as she glanced up at me. "You seem tired today, you're yawning". I said, kindly. "I guess". Sailor said, as she blinked back tiredness. "I got a good rest last night". "I don't know what it is". "I'm not sure". Sailor said.

I nodded, kindly. "Maybe it's the medicine". I said, kindly. "Sometimes, medicine for stress can induce tiredness". "That, and you might be emotionally exhausted as well". I smiled a gentle smile. "I might be". Sailor said.

"Maybe some Apple crumble cheesecake will delight us both". I said, softly with kind dreaminess as I smiled. "Have you ever had it?". "I should introduce you to some, today". I smiled a gentle smile. "Maybe so..but my stomach kind of feels like it has butterflies in it". Sailor said. "Some cheesecake will help with that". "We have some of that, and some warm, cinnamon apple cider". "Let's try some". I coaxed, kindly as I encouraged Sailor to try some cheesecake…to help ease her, and make her feel happier.

"Ok". Sailor replied. I went to the food truck, and ordered some cheesecake, and cider for Sailor and I to split. "Here we are, darling". "Something beautiful for us both". I said, gently. Sailor and I smiled, as we ate our delicious cheesecake.

"How are you feeling, coochie?". I asked, kindly with gentleness. "Fine, kind of". Sailor said. "Just sleepy…that's all".

"I get it…and we rested well last night". "But…you and I…we need our rest…especially for the baby's coming". I said, kindly. Sailor nodded. "Mm, there's nothing really for us to do….let's just go home". Nazz said, as she mumbled. "I agree with that". Lee replied. "It's stupid to stay around here". Nazz yawned as she drank more cider.

"Well, we should get going, too". Eddy said, as he helped Lee to her feet. "It was good seeing everyone". Eddy yawned as well. "It was certainly sagacious seeing everyone as well". I said, as I rose to my feet. "Yes, nice seeing you too, Double Delicious". Lee joked, as she stuck her tongue out, while we laughed. "Yes, very much so". "Nice to know that after all these years, that still hasn't changed". I said, as I chuckled.

"Well, once a Kanker, always a Kanker". Lee said, as she joked. "Alright well, we'll see everyone later". "Have a good evening". I said, as we bade one another goodbye.

We rode home that night…listening to boring news bulletins on the radio. We were tired by the time we got home, and all seemed ordinary, until it decided to storm that night. And Sailor heard a silken, sympathetic, kind voice coming from a black puddle. An enticing woman's voice that was elegant in sympathy, and understanding, but coated in feminine allure. "Come with me". "Come with me". The voice whispered. And Sailor knew who it was.