Chapter 1
Linda glanced around as she woke up to the morning gleam of the light. With every glimmer of hope, there was something equally as absconded. Linda glanced over at her husband, Strong Bad. It was something odd for anyone. Her husband, now.
Strong Bad, with his suave, cool entity. He glanced over at Linda. "Hey there". He said, gently. "How are you, darlin?".
"I'm doing well". Linda said, as she blinked awake. "Hey, it's good waking beside you, kiddo". Strong Bad said, gently. "It's good to wake up beside you as well". Linda said, as they embraced one another. "You're really cool". Strong Bad said, romantically, kissing Linda's lips. "You're really cool as well". Linda said, as they kissed one another's lips. They both kissed, embracing one another in a likeness of love. Linda felt Strong Bad's presence within her as she kissed him. He held her waist close, while he kissed her lips. "It is a beautiful morning, isn't it?". Linda said, gently.
"Hey, it definitely is". Strong Bad said. "It's much more beautiful because you're in it". "Hey, I might be coy, but I know how to make you agree to anything".
Linda laughed as she continued kissing Strong Bad. They both continued kissing, gently, as Linda glanced away for a quick second. "You seem a bit distracted, sweetie". Strong Bad said, in a bit of a romantic whisper as he kissed Linda. "Well, it's nothing". "I'm just thinking about Oskar, how upset he was yesterday". "He seems to be getting upset more and more recently". Linda said.
"Hmm". "I'll talk to him, see if he's doing ok". Strong Bad whispered. "He might be upset about not getting into that program in school".
"It might be that, but I think more of what it is, is the fact that he misses Daniel". Linda whispered. "The anniversary of his death, 9/11 is coming up".
"Hmm". Strong Bad nodded. "He misses Daniel". "I would never want to replace dad, or do anything like that, but I do wish to be there for him". "Anything for my best friend". "The most important thing for a father, is to be there for his son". "Besides, I miss Daniel too".
"He does miss his father, but he knows you're a good person". Linda whispered. "He is like a son to me". Strong Bad whispered. "He is a good kid, so smart".
"Hmm, that is true". Linda whispered as she and Strong Bad chuckled. They both kissed one another on the lips, keeping one another close. They giggled a bit, while their legs were intertwined, but they did kiss. Linda knew Strong Bad was a good husband. She needed him to protect, and keep her in a good place after her late husband died.
Some feet came near the door as Oskar, in his car pajamas, came in. Linda looked up from her and Strong Bad's kiss. "Hey, dude". Strong Bad said, gently with soft kindness. "What can I do for you?". "You havin fun?".
"I'm doing ok". Oskar said. Oskar sniffled. "Can I have some juice?". Oskar asked. "Hey, sure you can, bud". "You never have to ask". Strong Bad said, gently. "You're my pal, well, you know that". Strong Bad smiled a gentle smile. Oskar nodded. He looked up at Strong Bad.
"Hey, can you get that lighter that's on the dresser, while you're there?". Strong Bad asked, gently with friendly kindness. His raspy, gruff, voice seemed to surround Oskar as the sheets rustled a bit. "Ok". Oskar said. Oskar picked up Strong Bad's cigarette lighter bringing it over to him. "Thanks, dude". Strong Bad said, gently. "You're the coolest friend I've ever had".
Strong Bad and Oskar laughed. "Thank you". Oskar said. "Honey, is everything ok?". "Do you need anything?". Linda asked, gently.
"I'm ok". Oskar said. "I just wanted to know where the juice was". "If we bought some".
"I think we might've gotten some yesterday, dude". Strong Bad said, gently, with softness. The bed creaked a bit. "I have some if you need some". "It'll be outside in the fridge".
"Ok". Oskar said, glancing around. "Honey, it's still early, why don't you go back to bed?". Linda suggested, gently. "I'm fine, thank you". Oskar said, as he went over by the door. "Bud, you are up early". "Everything ok?". Strong Bad asked, gently.
"It's fine". Oskar said, as he went to his bedroom. "Glad to see he's doing well". Strong Bad said, gently, as he smiled a bit. "He truly is, he got all A's this semester, and is doing well in school". "Yet he didn't get into the honors' program, like he wanted". Linda whispered.
"Hmm, he might have some trouble in some spots, but he's trying, he is a bright kid". Strong Bad whispered. "My favorite kid, and I usually hate kids".
"He is a favorite of mine as well". Linda whispered. They both laughed, as they resumed their calm kissing. Strong Bad felt a boost of reinvigorating essence as he kissed Linda's lips. They both kissed, feeling happy they were with one another.
A bit later, Strong Bad went outside on their nice porch to smoke. Strong Bad lit one, as he sat outside. Oskar came outside, holding his milk. "Hey, bud". Strong Bad said, gently, with softness. It sounded similar to when he was on smarty juice. He used the soft voice with his previously widowed wife, and her son, often. He found himself to be much gentler, even as a smoker. "How are things?". "You doin' ok?". Strong Bad asked, kindly.
"I'm fine". Oskar said, as he sat down. "I didn't sleep too well, though".
"Why's that?". Strong Bad asked, kindly. He smoked his cigarette. "I guess because it's almost the anniversary of my dad's death, and I still miss my dad". Oskar said. "I don't know why the attacks had to happen".
"Hey, sometimes things happen that are beyond what we can control". Strong Bad said, gently. "I know it wasn't exactly the best thing that could happen, but it did, and we need to make sure we're ok with it in the end". "I know you loved your dad a lot, bud".
"Do the attacks make you sad to remember?". Strong Bad asked, gently. "Yes, they do". Oskar said. "I can't….I can't even believe anyone would do something horrible to our city".
"I can't believe it either, but usually we learn from what we experience". Strong Bad said, gently. "Experience is a teacher that's vital to understanding". "Before 9/11, we had a lot of freedom".
"I'm sorry you're having a hard time, bud". Strong Bad said, gently. "Thank you". Oskar said, sniffling. "Hey, if it helps, I get scared around this time, too". Strong Bad said, gently. "Everyone gets scared around 9/11".
"You're scared, too?". Oskar asked, looking up at Strong Bad. "I'm very scared when I think about what happened on that day". Strong Bad said, gently. "It is a scary thing to think about". "But I know that we have people who will be there for us, regardless". "It'll be ok".
"I know". Oskar said. "My mom tells me all the time". Oskar sniffled.
"You ok, bud?". Strong Bad asked, gently, with kindness. "I'm fine, why do you ask?". Oskar said, with some sniffling. His face was beginning to get red as well. "You don't sound like yourself, bud". Strong Bad said, gently. "You sound pensive".
"I don't know". Oskar said, as he sniffled. "What's goin on, kiddo?". Strong Bad asked, kindly. "I usually never see you this sad". "Something might be bothering you".
"Well….it's just that….I kind of…I kind of don't…know….I don't know if I can…I don't know if I can be ok tomorrow". Oskar said, sniffling. "Tomorrow is 9/11". "I don't know if I can be ok, anyday". Tears streamed down Oskar's cheek.
"Why is that, bud?". Strong Bad said, gently. "Come visit me, and we'll talk". Oskar came over to Strong Bad as Strong Bad put his cigarette aside. "Hey, why are you feeling discouraged, kiddo?". Strong Bad asked, gently with softness. "You're usually a happy person who's smarter than anyone I know". "What's been on your mind, dude?".
"I'm scared of 9/11, and I just….I've been feeling sad for a while now". Oskar said. "I don't know why I do, I don't know how I do, I just do". "I don't even know what's making me sad".
"Perhaps it might be that you feel as if you're without someone you love, deeply". "Someone who loves you a lot". Strong Bad said, gently. "I think that might be bothering you". "You miss your dad". "And I miss my best friend".
"Hey, I know he meant a lot to you". "He meant a lot to your mom as well"."Even so, he meant a lot to me too". Strong Bad said, gently. "The anniversary is always hard". "But I know you'll get through it, just as you have before". "Think of it as another day".
"Your mom told me your story, again the other day". Strong Bad said, gently. "Did she tell you?".
"I don't think she did". Oskar said. "But I guess….you heard, or something?".
"I heard about how your parents adopted you from Ukraine when you were young". Strong Bad said, gently. "You were small, agile, strong, yet you had been abused for so long over there".
"You had bruises and cuts on you when you came back from the orphanage, but you were resilient and pushed right through". "You are the strongest person I have ever met". Strong Bad said, kindly. "I'm so in awe of you".
"Thank you". Oskar said. "But….but when I came back, my dad….my dad was the one who cared most about me". "He taught me how to do a lot".
"Hmm, your dad was your hero". "That's very nice". Strong Bad said, gently. "The most important relationship someone can have, is with their dad". "I know you had a lot of that".
"I would never try to replace that, or get in the way of that". "But you and I can be pals, right?". "We're tight". Strong Bad said, gently.
"I guess". Oskar said, sniffling. Oskar turned his head. "Well, you have been so heroic, and influential to everyone you've met". "You're a true inspiration to me, and I'm always a follower of yours". Strong Bad said, gently. "We cool, bud?".
"I guess". Oskar said. Oskar sniffled as he began to cry. He sniffled, keeping the tears in. "Hey, whatever happens, you and I are still cool". "You're still my boy". "Well, you know that". Strong Bad said, gently. "Hey, don't feel bad". "You're my best one". "Don't cry, bud".
"I remember when I first met you, you were so small, and so fragile, you would rock back and forth, you would listen and learn, you would respond to me…you loved the company". Strong Bad said, kindly. "You were an amazing kid". "And I thought you were just so extraordinary…..my best friend".
Oskar began to cry as he dropped his teddy bear on the ground. "Hey, listen to this". Strong Bad said, gently. Strong Bad held Oskar's hands. "You're my inspiring, intelligent, amazing, best bud, and my favorite person, and I usually don't like people that often". "You're my boy, now and always". Strong Bad said, gently. "Don't be sad". "It'll get better as time goes by". "Think of it as another day". He gave Oskar a hug. Oskar still cried, as he sniffled. He kissed Oskar's forehead. "It'll be ok, son". Strong Bad said, softly with gentleness.
"Hey, how about some more of that juice?". "That might be good, huh?". Strong Bad said, gently. "Ok". Oskar said, calming down. "You'll be good, pal". "Just hang in there, we'll get to the end of the day". Strong Bad said, gently. Strong Bad rubbed Oskar's back. "Check this out, this thing is Starburst lemonade". "It's got a candy flavor to it". Strong Bad said, gently, making lemonade with Oskar. "It's delicious when you drink it".
"I get a flavor thing when I drink it, personally". Strong Bad said. Oskar drank the lemonade, sniffling. "Feeling better, dude?". Strong Bad said, gently. "Kind of". Oskar said.
"How's school going?". "You liking it?". Strong Bad asked, kindly. "Kind of". Oskar said. "I didn't get into the honor's program, but I tried".
"I think you're smart enough for anything, bud". "One day, you and I will go on to change the world". "We got the world in our hands enough to do it". Strong Bad said, gently. "You and I will do great things, I know we will". "I don't have any doubts".
"You and I will do amazing things". Strong Bad said, gently. "I know". Oskar said. "Even so, you're destined for something amazing". Strong Bad said, gently. "You'll influence and inspire the world".
"I hope". Oskar said. Strong Bad glanced around, burping a bit. Oskar laughed. "I'm very proud of you, always". Strong Bad said, gently. "Thank you". Oskar said.
Oskar sniffled as he drank his lemonade. "So how are things going for you?". "I know they might be troubling as of now, but there might be some good things". Strong Bad said, gently.
"Besides 9/11 coming, things are going well". Oskar said. "I got all A's this semester, I made the honor roll, I'm doing well with tutoring younger kids, I'm doing well".
"Good for you, son". Strong Bad said, gently. "I know you liked learning, and doing well with those school things". "I was never into that, I mainly liked slacking off and doing dumb things that would be considered cool, then".
"I liked school a lot". Oskar said. "I like it even more now because I can concentrate on my work, and not fall behind". "I'm doing ok I would say".
"I think you're doing great". Strong Bad said, gently. "I'm very proud of the things you've been doing". "I think you're someone with a lot of potential, and greatness coming your way". "I see wondrous things for you".
"That, and you're much better off with it, than I'll ever be". "You're someone with a lot of good things coming your way". Strong Bad smiled a gentle smile. "Thank you". Oskar said. "I really appreciate it".
"You're someone I very much appreciate". Strong Bad said, gently. "Never harbor any self-doubt, bud". "I see a lot for you".
"Thank you". Oskar said. Oskar glanced around, drinking his juice, as Strong Bad smoked his cigarette. "So….you said that you know my story, now?". Oskar asked. "I indeed do". Strong Bad said, gently. "I know you're someone who was born in Ukraine to an extraordinary person, and you took after her".
"That's pretty much it". Oskar said. "You were born in Ukraine in 1990 to a woman, your birth mom, and while she was nice and loving, she passed away, so you were taken to your orphanage where some bad things happened, such as abuse and neglect, but eventually you were adopted, and lived a great life". Strong Bad said, gently. "I guess I did". Oskar said.
"But I don't know why I'm not smart enough to be in the honor's program". Oskar said. "I tried everything, I really did, and still, nothing".
"Hey, being a trier isn't a horrible thing". Strong Bad said, gently. He blew out cigarette smoke. "Remember, you didn't get much of what you needed from infancy in order to have natural skill". "Natural skill relies on how much we're nurtured in infancy".
"You never got any of that, so you're a bit lower on the growth curve, but you improved with time". "You developed into someone with a lot of tenacity and skill". "That gives you everything you might need". "You're quite alright if you ask me".
"I want to be smart, though". Oskar said. "I want to be able to do things others can do". "I don't want to be behind".
"You're not behind, kiddo". Strong Bad said, gently. "You're right in line with everyone, and you're in a good place".
"Right now, I'm just worried about how sad you are sometimes". "It concerns me when you're sad". "I don't like seeing you sad". Strong Bad said, kindly.
"I don't know why I'm sad often". Oskar said. "I just become sad sometimes, and I don't know why".
"Sadness after a tragedy happens, is common". Strong Bad said, gently. "I can see how sadness can be something after you've lost your dad".
"I feel sad as well, knowing you miss him". "But just know that everything will work out in the near future". "Things will be ok for both of us, I promise". Strong Bad said, gently. "9/11 was a tough time for everyone".
"I might visit my dad's grave again, and see if I can put flowers down". Oskar said. "That'll be nice". Strong Bad said gently, tapping ash from his cigarette. "Visiting your old man". He and Oskar chuckled. "My old man died when I was still young as well". Strong Bad said, gently. "I know exactly how you feel". "I essentially had to raise my two brothers on my own, pretty much". "It was quite a task, considering they're not, real-world material".
Oskar and Strong Bad laughed at that. "They are dorks in every sense". "But even so, they're nice people, I get along quite well with them". Strong Bad said, gently.
"What was it like when you were little?". Oskar asked. Strong Bad brought the cigarette to his lips again, smoking. He let the wrinkles on his face, his luchador mask, aligned with smoking, emaciated with time, curl up a bit, as the end of his cigarette glowed with a flame. "Well, it was pretty simple when I was growing up, but it was pretty sweet, I will admit". Strong Bad said, gently. "I was born in the early 70's, so I lived through pretty much all of Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Cure, Jim Croce". "I lived through pretty much all of them". "I loved the 70's a lot". "I can still remember listening to some of those things on my transistor radio". "I can't believe I had one of those transistor radios". Strong Bad chuckled a bit.
"That, and I liked arcade games a lot, perhaps even console games much more than that". "I still play those to this day". "They are a classic". Strong Bad said, gently. "Yes, I am a bit weird, but it is what it is". He and Oskar laughed. "I was also a big part of the counterculture as well". Strong Bad said, gently, tapping ash from his cigarette. "Hell, I used to go to the Woodstock festivals, I used to do those drug things, I was horrible with that".
"I was a wild kid, and perhaps one day, I'll relive it, but for now, I'll be as well-behaved as I could possibly be". Strong Bad said, gently. "We know your mom wouldn't want to see me being a hippie, or someone on hallucinogens".
Oskar laughed as he glanced upwards. "Yeah, I was the worst kind". Strong Bad said, gently. They both laughed, as Strong Bad winked. "I'll behave myself for the time being, until I get a weekend, then I'll unload". Strong Bad said, cunningly.
"Ok". Oskar said. "Trust me, dude". "We're in a good place". Strong Bad said, gently. "I guess". Oskar said. "But yes, I was a bit out there". "I still might be out there floating around for all I know". Strong Bad said, cunningly. He and Oskar laughed.
"My dad used to listen to Jim Croce a lot". Oskar said. "He is a nice artist".
"He has a nice bluegrass sound, truly". Strong Bad said, gently. "I've always liked his banjo, and his strings". "He sounds like a master when he does it".
"That, and he had a nice tour bus when he did his thing". "He is amazing in every way". Strong Bad blew out some smoke. He put his feet on the table. "You like anyone in particular, dude?". Strong Bad asked, gently with kindness. He did resign a bit of sluggishness to his voice. "I like the Cure, and Mott the Hoople ''. Oskar said. "That's what my dad and I listened to".
"Hmm, your dad had a good taste in music". Strong Bad said, gently. He tapped ash from his cigarette. "I like my 70's a lot, but his was way better". "Come to think of it, he might be onto something".
"We do have to have a good taste in these things". Strong Bad said, gently. "It would help". Strong Bad smoked his cigarette, as an ashen cloud surrounded him. "Um…did you like going to school when you were young?". Oskar asked. "I hated school to be honest". Strong Bad said, gently. "What I wanted to do was be one of those pro wrestlers, or whatever they were, which I did for a while, but then I quit it, in order to do the other stuff". "I collected my pension, and got out". "I might seem lazy, but I'm thinking ahead". He winked at Oskar.
"I might not even have the work ethic to do much, but, it is whatever it is". Strong Bad said. He chuckled a bit. "Hmm, in terms of school, I just got in, did my thing, and got out". "I did the bare minimum and that made it for me". "School was a waste of my time".
"What I did like was athletics". "That was where it was made". Strong Bad said, gently. "That's nice". Oskar said. "I like learning a lot, and doing schoolwork". "I just enjoy researching and writing, solving equations".
"You're a good kid to do that". Strong Bad said, gently. "Learning takes a lot of tenacity". "That's the tenacity you have, that you can use". "You're a very intelligent, resourceful person". "You can do anything, my bud".
"I guess I can do anything". Oskar said. "You certainly can, because you're my boy". Strong Bad said, gently. "You're my favorite person, besides your mom".
"Thank you". Oskar said. Strong Bad smoked his cigarette, thinking about Linda. A smile came across his face. "Hey don't worry". "You'll be just fine, in Casa De Strong". Strong Bad said, gently as he and Oskar laughed. Strong Bad smoked the last of his cigarette, as he tapped the ash from it.
"You got school today, huh?". Strong Bad said, gently. "I do". Oskar said. "Hmm, that's nice". "School is a good place for you". "You'll benefit from it". Strong Bad said, gently.
"I hope I do". Oskar said. "I'm sure you will, my best friend". Strong Bad said, kindly. "Well, hey, it is nice to see someone with a lot of tenacity". Strong Bad and Oskar laughed.
"Can I get one on the cheek?". Strong Bad asked, gently. Oskar kissed Strong Bad on the cheek. "Love you, bud". "Have an amazing day at school". "Learn your butt off". Strong Bad said, gently. "Ok, bye now". Oskar said. "Bye, pal". Strong Bad said, gently. Oskar went inside to say goodbye to his mom.
"Goodbye mom". Oskar said. "Goodbye, honey". "I love you very much". Linda said, gently. "I love you too". Oskar said. "Bye". Oskar took his books, as he headed outside to the bus. Linda glanced out of the window, sighing. She knew Oskar had trouble connecting with her. With some reassurance, they would try to be ok. At least.