Chapter 3
Strong Bad seemed relaxed, as he opened his eyes, hearing the cell phone in his pocket ring. "Mm, crap, who could that be?". Strong Bad mumbled, as he rustled around on the couch. He answered the phone, talking for a long time to his brother, Strong Sad. "I wonder what it is, man?". "This better be good". Strong Bad said, agitated, as he talked. "I locked myself out of my house, and I was wondering if you had the spare key". Strong Sad said. "I do, but what could you have possibly been doing that had you lock yourself out?". Strong Bad asked. "I was just outside taking out the trash, and I locked the keys in the house". Strong Sad said. "Man, you're dumb". Strong Bad said, as he huffed a bit. "Alright, we'll be over real quick".
Oskar heard this piece of the conversation as he looked up at Strong Bad. "You mind riding with me to bail an idiot I know?". Strong Bad asked, kindly. "I wouldn't mind it more than I mind the next thing". Oskar said. He and Strong Bad laughed. Strong Bad and Oskar drove over to Strong Sad's house, as Strong Sad waited in the driveway. "Here it is, Slim". Strong Bad said, with an agitated state to his voice. "It is nice…but I need it to get inside". "I might've accidentally…". Strong Sad began. "Look, I don't need to know how it happened". "Here's the key, let yourself in". Strong Bad replied, jauntily. "Right, right, yes". "Of course". Strong Sad replied, chuckling.
"Man, I don't know how he manages to survive". Strong Bad said, kindly as he and Oskar jumped back into the car. "I don't know, either". Oskar said. "But hey, he can never be a favorite like you are to me…along with mom". Strong Bad said, gently as he winked. "He never can". Oskar said. He and Strong Bad shared a laugh. "Well, man…perhaps it is time to go home, and make a grilled cheese or something like that". Strong Bad said, gently. "Nothing else to get in our way today". Oskar nodded, keeping back tears. Strong Bad navigated the way home, as he drove up a hill. Looking over beside him, he noticed Oskar was about to cry. "Hey man, what's got you down?". Strong Bad asked, kindly with softness to a gentle voice.
Oskar wiped away some impending tears. "Hey it's ok, man". Strong Bad said, in a soft whisper. "It's alright….we can talk….everything alright?".
Oskar wiped away some tears. "It's nothing….nothing, really". "I don't know". Oskar said, as he sniffled. "Hmm…maybe try to tell me how you feel…and then things will fall into place". Strong Bad said, softly with gentleness. "I don't know…I kind of….I just feel sad…aren't I allowed to feel sad?". Oskar said, with some agitation behind his voice. "Of course, son". Strong Bad said, softly with kindness, and quiet gentleness behind his voice.
"It'll be ok, son". Strong Bad said, softly with kindness as he looked over at Oskar while he sniffled. "hmm….I know right now is hard for you, son". "I know right now isn't easy, but I promise you, things will get better". "I promise you, son". "I will protect you, and I won't let anything happen to you". Strong Bad said, with softness behind a gentle voice. "It'll be alright, son…let's go home, we'll make some sandwiches, lay down, and we'll have all the cola we want". "I promise you….anything you wish". Strong Bad smiled a kind smile rubbing Oskar's back as he cried. "Hey man, it's alright now". "It's alright…just relax…you'll be ok". Strong Bad said, softly with kindness. "How…how will I be ok?". "How am I going to be ok?". "You don't know anything!". Oskar cried. "I know right now you're anxious…and it will be alright". "Try to take a deep breath…try to close your eyes…and just sit for a while". "You'll be fine, I promise you". "I know we will, because I've experienced it before, too". "Don't be scared….close your eyes for a bit, son". "It's alright….you can do it". Strong Bad coached, kindly with softness. "You can do it, son". "That's it…you're almost there". "You can do it….I believe in you". Strong Bad kindly coached Oskar on breathing as he slowly breathed through his mouth and nose.
Strong Bad knew Oskar was having anxiety. He wasn't on any psychostimulants, or medications. He had been having horrible anxiety, and tantrums. Luckily, Strong Bad was good enough to coach Oskar through his emotional turmoil. "There you go….you've got it". "You're alright now, son". "You're almost there, son". Strong Bad said, gently in a softened, kind voice. "Thanks, dad". Oskar said. "I'm sorry…I don't know why I was crying….I don't….I guess I kind of…I kind of just was sad…and I still am sad". Strong Bad could tell Oskar's voice had shakiness, and fragility to it. Oskar was anxious. "Hey, it's alright, son". "Everyone has those moments where they have some sadness, or anxiety". "Everything is ok, now". "I know right now is a scary time…but you're doing a great job…I'm so proud of you". Strong Bad said, softly with kindness. They parked the car, as Oskar sniffled, wiping his tears. "Man, teenhood is a painful time…I know it because that's when bad things happened to me, too". Strong Bad said, kindly with softness. "Y'know, when I was your age, I lost my old man to cancer…then I lost my mom…there was a bunch of crime that happened". "I've been through it, too". "Sometimes, I get anxious, myself".
"Ok…that sounds alright". "At least you have a reason to do so…it feels like I have no reason that I'm crying, and screaming". "I don't know what else to do at this point". Oskar said. "I understand, son". "There might be a reason you feel this way, son". Strong Bad said, softly with kindness. "Why?". Oskar asked, as they were now out on the porch, with Strong Bad smoking another cigarette. "Because when you were a baby….when you were just a few days old…your birth mom died….and you were deeply traumatized by that". Strong Bad said, softly with gentleness and a soothing quality behind his voice. "I guess…but I don't even remember". Oskar said. "Perhaps you don't…but you were young enough to be affected by it many years later". Strong Bad said, softly with kindness. "That, and when you were young, you were abused in the Ukrainian foster home when you lived there".
"What happened that I was abused?". Oskar asked. "Well, you were kicked, hit, scalded, burned, you were abused heavily….neglected…you were bruised heavily…sometimes left chained outside in the cold….all as an infant". Strong Bad said, softly with kindness. "And no one rescued you until you were adopted, and brought to the United States". "You've been through unspeakable trauma…and you've been through a lot….you endured a lot as a baby…that's when….some things can be harder to fathom than others". "Anxiety when someone becomes a teenager can be a manifestation of what we experience in infancy". "It is hard to deal with…but I can promise you that everything will be ok". "Please don't feel too scared". "Everything is ok, now". "Maybe some of these angry feelings are the feelings you felt as an infant…wanting to fight back". Strong Bad said, softly with gentleness.
"I don't feel angry, I feel scared". "I'm scared everyday, I'm sad everyday, and I don't know where else to go, or who else to turn to". "Sometimes, waking up is a battle". Oskar said, sniffling. "I know sometimes, it is, son". "But mom and I will do everything we can to help". "We know it's been a rough beginning…but we want to make your middle very happy, and rewarding". "Don't be sad…don't be scared…I'm here for you…now and always". Strong Bad said in a soft whisper. "I know mom has had some trouble with anxiety too". "I'll help her get through it, too".
"I know…she lost her parents when she was younger than me". "Her parents died when she was 7…and she…she lived with my dad and his family when she was little…until she and my dad married out of college". Oskar said. "I understand…and we'll be there…helping one another through it". "We're a family…and family always does for one another". Strong Bad said, gently in a whisper. Oskar nodded. "Don't worry, son". "We'll get through it…I promise you". Strong Bad said, kindly in a whisper. "I love you, son".
"I remember 6
"I love you too, dad". Oskar said, as he hugged Strong Bad. "Do you ever think about it?". Strong Bad asked, kindly with softness. "Think about what?". Oskar asked. "About adoption…and where you started….how you started out…what kind of family you had…where you were as a baby". "Do you ever wish to ask questions?". Strong Bad asked, softly with gentleness. "I don't really want to ask questions…but I guess…I guess my family has always been nice…my birth family from what my mom told me". Oskar said. "But I guess…I guess it takes time to know, and accept what happened in the orphanage".
"Yes, what happened to you in the orphanage was bad…it was horrible from what mom told me…and what I've learned over the years". Strong Bad said, kindly with softness. "But some countries aren't as developed as they should be…and sometimes, when we lose birth parents, it can be bad for us". "Orphanages aren't the best places for kids…they're not good for anyone". "I love that you were adopted…that you came from such a unique place…because it gives me a chance to see the amazing person with such an amazing culture, and an amazing life, and get to know that person beyond what the U.S. gives me". "You have grown a lot since then…you've become a person with so much strength, love, personality, and intelligence". "You've become someone that can do anything…and I've seen you do it…you are my hero, son".
"Birth parents are the most special things to kids". "The way they hold them, whisper to them, kiss them, and hug them". "Give them a bath". "The birth mom let you drink some milk from her breasts". "Parents, in general, are special to kids….and when they pass away, it can be devastating". "I know it can". Strong Bad whispered, kindly. "It is…and I guess….". Oskar began. "It's had a bigger effect on you than you expected it to". Strong Bad whispered, gently. "It has". Oskar said. "That's why you have these upset feelings sometimes…and these feelings of sadness now as a teenager". "That's why you've felt hurt, and anxious". Strong Bad whispered, kindly.
"How do I go about feeling better?". Oskar asked. "Well, what we perhaps can do, is have you, and mom talk to a family therapist…and really discuss some feelings that you might have towards certain things". "That might be something we might need to do". "Especially after the trauma you've endured earlier on". Strong Bad whispered, kindly. "I know a guy who does therapy sessions, he is an easy person to talk to". "Everything will be alright, son". Strong Bad put out his cigarette, giving Oskar a hug, as he kissed him on the forehead. "Remember how strong our bond is". "Our bond is strong, because you and I are survivors". "We can do anything because we have the strength of family". Strong Bad said, kindly with softness. "That is true". Oskar said. Strong Bad smiled a kind smile, kissing Oskar's forehead. "Let's go make some sandwiches, little man". "All before mom gets home". Strong Bad said, kindly. "Ok". Oskar said. Strong Bad went inside, turning on the skillet. Oskar waited over by the side, as he sniffled. "Everything ok, little man?". Strong Bad asked, kindly. "Somewhat". Oskar said. "I don't know…I guess…I guess everything is kind of…bad right now".
"I know right now is a bad time". "We'll get through it, bud….I promise you". Strong Bad said, gently. The sandwiches were ready on the stove, as Strong Bad put them on plates. They began eating their grilled cheeses, as Oskar looked up at the pictures of his deceased father. "I miss him, too". Strong Bad said, gently as he looked up at the picture. "You miss him, too?". "Even without knowing him?". Oskar asked. "I do…and I often speak to him every night before I go to bed". "I often thank him for giving me you and mom". "You both are wonderful to me, and I oftentimes know that while being widowed is painful, life is much better with lovely people in it". Strong Bad said, kindly. "I was a widower once, and it is painful being alone…I know the bad that comes with losing someone, and it is a lonely time". Strong Bad said, gently. "You're widowed?". Oskar asked. "I was widowed for a long time…my wife was in the entertainment industry….she died of a drug overdose…but we were married for many years….and I loved her more than anything else". Strong Bad said, kindly with softness. "But as time has it, she passed on…and I was alone for some time before I met your mom". "Everything will be alright, though". "Things will come to their fruition as time goes on…and I'm much happier with your mom than I've been with anyone". "You both are my inspiration to be a better man, and a better version of myself". "You both are my inspiration to do anything, and be the best version of myself I can be".
"Thanks, dad". Oskar said. "I'm really happy you helped me and my mom". "You're a really good dad".
"Of course, son". Strong Bad said, kindly. "I love you very much". Strong Bad smiled a kind smile. "I love you, too". Oskar said. They continued eating their grilled cheese. "So…is it hard being a widower?". "Or was it hard…because it was hard for my mom". Oskar said. "It was hard at the beginning, because loneliness was something I had to struggle with each and every day". "But I knew that as time went on, I was someone who needed to accept my place..and accept the fact that I was by myself". "Being by myself was rewarding, but it was even more rewarding falling in love again, and being in a good place all over again". "Love is a magical feeling that no one can deny, or put upon". "Love means the world to me". "And if you one day begin to like girls, or love people…you will find the magic of the feeling come upon you, too". Strong Bad said, kindly with gentleness. "Do you think you'll find love one day?". There was a kind, cuddly, soft, rasp to his soothing voice. "I might find love one day…perhaps…I think". Oskar said. "It all depends". "But I hope I do".
"I think one day you will". Strong Bad said, kindly. "I found someone…and she is beautiful". With the cuddliness in his voice, there was dreaminess as well. "I found someone and she was an amazing person whom I love". Strong Bad smiled a kind smile. "I love her very much". He giggled a giggle.
"My mom loves you, too". Oskar said. Strong Bad finished his grilled cheese, as he had some soda. As he drank his soda, the porch door seemed to open. "I thought I heard someone complimenting me out here". Linda said, gently as she came outside. "Hey, baby". "We were just sitting, talking". "Everything is alright, now that we have grilled cheese". Strong Bad said, kindly. He and Oskar shared a laugh. "That's nice". Linda said. "Perhaps".
"I was thinking we could have tomato soup as well". "Tomato soup is always popular". Linda said, kindly. "I put some ramen noodles in it…which is something new I wanted to try".
"I've tried that, I love that". Strong Bad said, gently. "I made some yesterday, and I was thinking…perhaps….this might work well with it". Linda said, gently. "Mm, that might be nice…I can't wait". Strong Bad said, kindly. Linda put out some tomato soup, with ramen noodles in it. As Strong Bad ate some, he glanced away for a bit. "So, Oskar and I were talking…we were just talking about therapy, and feelings and such….we were wondering if you and he would be interested in family therapy". Strong Bad said, kindly. "Someone to talk to, maybe someone to lean on when the problems get to be too bad". "It's just something to help heal if we need to".
"Mm, therapy would be nice". "I was hoping something would help". "Even after all this time". Linda said. "It would be kind of…nice to talk to someone".
"Besides talking to you of course". Strong Bad nodded. "Perhaps getting someone else's perspective would be nice". "And it's not just you, and Oskar, I could use someone to talk to, as well". "That way, we'll all be in a good place". Strong Bad said, kindly. "That's true". Linda said. "But everything is alright…are you sure you want to do so…or…?". Linda asked. "I'd be positive". "It'd be best for everyone to do what we need to do". Strong Bad said, kindly. "Ok". Linda agreed. Oskar looked away for a second, tasting the efficacy of the ramen noodles in tomato soup. "This is really good, isn't it?". "It's a new recipe I decided to try because one of the moms at the school suggested it". Linda said. "It tastes really good, mom". Oskar said. "Thanks, honey". Linda said, as she ate her tomato soup, and grilled cheese. There was buffalo sauce, mustard, the clinking of spoons against plates, there was food. It was a delicious time that was wrought in the efficacy of a meal. The meal was as splendid as it could be.