Chapter 4
Later that night, Oskar went outside to the fridge, getting some orange juice. As he drank his orange juice, he glanced around, seeing Linda come outside. "Hey, sweetheart". Linda said, kindly with softness. "Hi, mom". Oskar said, as he glanced up at Linda. "Is everything ok, sweet pea?". "Finding everything ok?". Linda asked, gently. "Everything is ok…and I'm finding everything fine". Oskar said. "I guess….I guess today was good with dad…or Strong Bad…we just hung out, went over to help Strong Sad when he locked himself out of his house". "It was an overall calm day".
"That's nice, honey". Linda said, kindly. "Perhaps….it is nice you're calling Strong Bad dad". "Are you sure you're comfortable calling him that, though?". "Is it too much for you..or…are you ok?". Linda's voice softened. "I'm ok with it". "We've known him for a long time…so it's actually ok now". Oskar said. "He's a good person…I'm alright with it".
"He is a good person…and he does mean well". "He loves us….a lot…and he would do anything for us…perhaps which is nice". Linda said, gently. "That is nice…but I still miss dad…I miss dad a lot…and even though Strong Bad is a good companion….I do miss dad a lot". Oskar said, with some emotion in his voice. "I miss dad, too". "But…we're alright….Strong Bad is amazing….in many ways". Linda said, gently. Linda and Oskar went outside, where the stars twinkled brightly in the sky. "I remember looking up there…and seeing dad in those stars". "He said he'd always protect me…no matter what". Oskar said. "And he has…he's protected me in a lot of ways".
"He's protected me in a lot of ways, too". Linda said. "Dad has meant a lot to me…even from the beginning…when I first met him in Elementary school". "And even so….we will always be together".
Oskar nodded, as the glow of the stars resonated on his face. "You lived with him after your mom and dad passed away?". Oskar said. "Yes, I did live with him…and he was an amazing person….he always was there to help…he was always there to comfort…we enjoyed each other's company". "We were always close…and we've always been close". "I just….I miss him so much, too". Linda said. "9/11 was just….it was horrible…it was horrible that we have so much hatred in the world, and we can't make peace". "That's something I've always wanted…was peace in the world". "Oh well….it's in the past now….there's nothing to do now…except just do what we need to…and spread Global Awareness, for peace and goodwill".
"You're still part of the peace campaign at work that promotes peace and Goodwill?". "At work?". Oskar asked. "I am, and we're doing….much better, but not great". "It is what it is…and we're trying our best". "We still have a ways to go". Linda said, gently. "People still are in a vengeful mood after 9/11, it isn't exactly the best environment". "But there might be hope….there might be….in some way". Linda sniffled as she looked up at the stars. "The world might still be broken as of now….the world might not be perfect…but we can at least still try". "Even so". Oskar said.
"We still can try….at least". "Even if we might not succeed". Linda said. "No, I think we'll succeed…we just have to be hopeful for the future". "We have to know that there is hope…in every aspect". "We will succeed…I know we will". Oskar said. "Maybe you're right…but there might be hope". Linda said, as they looked up at the night sky. The stars were back out…after a long time of being obstructed by clouds. The stars were shining…after a long time of being hidden. "It is a beautiful night….a beautiful night indeed". Linda said, gently. "Look, there's the Blue Giant". "Dad's star". Oskar said, as he and Linda looked up at the stars. "Yes, it is". "It is nice". Linda said, gently as they both felt the shine of stars on their faces. The glow seemed to be reflecting on their faces quite easily. Oskar smiled, feeling the warmth of the stars on his face…while he and Linda saw the reflection of Daniel…somewhere in the night sky…somewhere on the Blue Giant. Oskar felt the reflection, feeling Daniel's warmth, as he heard Daniel's voice speaking to him, patiently. Patient, kind, loving, and stimulating with scavenger hunts. That's who Daniel was. Daniel was a kind man…and even as Oskar and Linda felt surrounded by the light of a billion stars, a billion galaxies, they heard Daniel speaking to them. "Son…I know perhaps right now isn't easy….but do remember that I am always beside you…I am always with you…in every aspect…there is nothing to worry of….". "Everything is yours, you can do anything…and I will always be right beside you….I love you…you are so strong my son". Daniel's voice said, as it surrounded Oskar as Oskar smiled…perhaps bigger than anything one would've seen. "Thanks, dad". Oskar said, as he looked up at the array of stars. He glanced around…seeing the stars, seeing the array of colors that seemed to surround him in all of their glory. "I love you too, dad". Oskar said, as he glanced up at the stars. Daniel seemed to speak to Linda as well, as she smiled, and nodded along with the reflection of her late husband. She felt the essence of kindness….kindness, sincerity, and calm…which was something she hadn't felt in a long time. Kindness was something that hadn't been heard of in a long time. Yet, Linda felt the same comfort she felt before in the 1990's…something of comfort she hadn't felt in a while.
Strong Bad came out of his room, seeing the stars and the reflections of the night sky…he knew he wasn't part of it. He knew he wasn't someone that wasn't a part of the original family. He was only the stepfather. He was only the companion. Strong Bad looked on, calmly as he smiled, knowing they were bonding. He was happy they were doing so. It was the affinity of family.
Linda and Oskar went inside, as Linda tucked Oskar into bed. "Goodnight, sweetie". "I'll see you in the morning". Linda said, kindly with softness. "Goodnight, mom". "See you tomorrow". Oskar said. Oskar fell asleep, as he looked up at the picture of his late father…feeling hopeful now. He wasn't depressed at all. He was hopeful that one day, he and his late father would meet again.
Linda and Strong Bad snuggled up in their bed in the master room. "Well…today was a great day, perhaps". "I got the promotion I was looking for, Oskar had a great day, and ramen works well in tomato soup". Linda said. "Yep…it definitely is". Strong Bad said, kindly. Strong Bad settled into bed. "How was he today?". "Did he have a good day?". Linda asked, as she turned on her side a bit. "Well…not exactly". "We were coming back from running an errand, and he became very tearful…very anxious". "He's had anxiety for a long time…and I y'know, talked to him, spoke to him, and he calmed down quickly". "He was pretty sad for a while, though". Strong Bad whispered. "Yes…he has been depressed for a while". Linda whispered. "He's been this way since he lost his dad…but I've never seen it this bad". "It's gotten worse since he's gotten to his teen years".
"Right…but I think therapy would be beneficial for him". Strong Bad whispered. "Right now, what he needs is someone that understands him…someone that will work with him, and help him through it". "That's what we all need, sometimes".
"Perhaps…but he is Autistic as well". "He will have emotional tremors at times". "But I don't know how we can help him…what if therapy doesn't work?". Linda asked. "Therapy will work". "We just have to know how he works with it". "He needs to know how much we support him, and how much we love him…enough to feel the support at face value". Strong Bad whispered. "We love him a lot…and he knows how much we love him….enough to find him someone who truly cares".
"That is true". Linda whispered. "I value him very much….because he is my son…he is my baby". She and Strong Bad reflected on it, as they looked down at the sheets on the bed. "So, how was your day besides that…?". "You got a promotion at work?". Strong Bad asked. "Yes, I was promoted, and it would be an increase in pay….but I'll have to work longer hours". "I guess…I don't know if I can be away from Oskar that long…he needs me". Linda whispered, a bit concerned. "Hey, it's nothing to worry about….I'll look after him". Strong Bad whispered, kindly. "I know you both were close…but you need to do this". "You were so close this year…you just made it…and I couldn't be prouder". "You made Partner, and it couldn't be better". "You did it…you paved the way for women in Free Country, and it couldn't be better for us". Strong Bad whispered, gently.
"I guess you're right". "It was well-earned". "But the longer hours will mean less sex nightly…because I need my rest". "I mean…only if it's ok…I wouldn't want you to feel deprived, or anything". Linda said. "Well, it'll be fine". "We'll manage to do it". Strong Bad whispered, gently. "Besides, you and I are copesthetic, huh?". "Sex doesn't mean as much to us as love means". "We know we're in love…and we show it each time we talk to one another". "Sex is only a thing…love is something deeper". "We both could learn a lot about one another through the aspects of love and marriage". "Not necessarily sex".
Linda nodded. "Love and marriage does mean a lot". "We do, and have learned a lot through their aspects". Linda whispered. "Yes, and besides…we could just kiss". "That is another meaningful way to do it". "Kissing means a lot in terms of love, as well". Strong Bad whispered. "Yes, kissing does mean a lot". Linda whispered. "What do you say, babe?". "Kiss with me?". "Make tonight legitimate?". Strong Bad whispered, kindly. "I would love to". Linda agreed. "Besides, you may not want to know just how bad my libido's got it". Strong Bad whispered, kindly. "It is pretty bad…so definitely watch for a few things". "The dirty birdie doesn't seem to want to chirp".
He and Linda shared a laugh at that. "Sure, that's nice….but kissing sounds lovely as well". Linda whispered, as she and Strong Bad smiled, leaning in. They both kissed one another fruitfully. Linda felt Strong Bad's lips caress her lips in a thoughtful, kind manner. Even so, Linda felt Strong Bad kiss her lips, stroking her cheek as well. "Mmm, yes". "Mmm, yes, I love you". "I love you so much". Strong Bad said, as he kept kissing. "Your lips there…they're nice…what, do you like that?". Strong Bad asked, in a gentle, whisper as he kissed. "I like that a lot". Linda whispered, as she felt more of Strong Bad's kiss. Strong Bad undid Linda's bra, as she laid, feeling him kiss her plentifully. He massaged her breasts, while he kept kissing her lips. "Mm, on the other hand…maybe we'll see how the libido is doing". "We'll just sort of…spot check it, see if it's coming up to par". Strong Bad whispered, in the midst of his kiss. "Go right ahead, it sounds good to me". Linda whispered, as she felt Strong Bad's kiss. She felt him take off his pants…even as he seemed to coerce his organ to go further, further, and further into hers. It made for a jolly old time. Linda felt Strong Bad's lips once more, as she felt him kiss her, indefinitely. She felt his cheeks…she felt his strong hands around her breasts as she felt more kisses on her cheeks. Strong Bad kissed, releasing his lips, only when he and Linda felt tired.
"Mmm, that is so amazing". "I love it so much". Linda whispered, as she and Strong Bad laughed. "Hey, I do, too". "How cool was that?". Strong Bad whispered, as he and Linda giggled, tickling one another's cheeks. They were deep in love at that point. Deep enough that their love was rich with eloquent filament, and eloquent love and desire. That's what made the night passionate enough.
"So, who is this guy that you set Oskar up with?". Linda asked, in a whisper. "I hated to do it, originally…but I set him up with the Knight…one of KOT's guys". "He's licensed in the whole therapy thing". "He can help our main man out". Strong Bad whispered, as he laid back down.
Linda fell asleep on Strong Bad's chest…only after worrying. Would Oskar be alright? Would he be in the right hands? This was something only she could wonder…
While Oskar came back from school the next day, he was called into an office just off the left of the large hallway. It was a nice office. Even so, there was a lot of value to it. Oskar came into the office, seeing none other than his friend, the Knight in there. While the Knight had on…the usual…looking like a Knight…he also had on a tie, and some belted pants. Character design isn't that important to me, anymore. "H..hello?". Oskar said, as he came in. "hey, man". "Oskar-oni, how are you?". The Knight said, kindly. "I'm doing ok…not great". Oskar said, sullenly. "Well, hey, it's nice to see you again". "Come on in, and stay awhile". "I've got a minifridge full of candy bars, and cream soda, and some string cheese". "That's for anyone that comes in". "Sit down, take a load off, man". The Knight said, kindly with gentleness to his voice. "Thank you". Oskar said, as he sat down, eating string cheese. "So, how have you been, kiddo?". "It's been a while since we've spoken". "I kind of thought you were off chilling out somewhere". "You have to come back to our place". "Kingy misses you". "Man, he talks about you pretty much each day". The Knight said, gently with softness. "I know…there's been a lot of things that have been happening". Oskar said.
"Hey, I'll bet". "But that's what I'm here for….we're here to listen, talk, share, and give feedback". "We're just a few besties here just talking our way through it". The Knight said, kindly. "So, how have things been?". "Everything been ok, so far?".
"Kind of…not really". Oskar said. "Not really…?". "What's been happening, kiddo?". The Knight asked, kindly. "well….I've just been having these nightmares….the nightmares are pretty descriptive for the most part". "I just have them, and then the next day…I kind of….I kind of cry…I scream, I do a lot of horrible things….I just become so scared, and anxious…and I don't know why". Oskar said, as he glanced upward. "Hmm…you've been having nightmares?". "Oh my…what are in your nightmares?". "What is something you commonly see when you have these nightmares?". The Knight asked, kindly with gentleness. "I see….I see like…these flames coming out of a crib….I see these blankets that are on fire….I see horrible things…like demons killing a baby". "Then, when the baby is by himself, wolves eat him while he's engulfed in flames". Oskar said.
"I understand". The Knight said softly with kindness. "How long have you been having these nightmares?".
"I've been having nightmares for a while now….and not about my dad and 9/11….I mean I still miss my dad…I do…but those nightmares are gone, and I've accepted everything that's come". Oskar said. "These nightmares are different…and I don't know what's causing them".
"Well, I'm happy you brought them up, son". "That way, we can get this taken care of". The Knight said, kindly with softness. "Well…sometimes nightmares are a product of trauma". "Trauma is something we experience when a situation is so tragic, and so overwhelming, we cannot handle it". "What are some examples of trauma?". "Just…ballpark". The Knight said, kindly. "Um…what I can think of is…a car accident". Oskar said, as he looked up at the Knight. "A car accident…and maybe being abused….I don't know…something like that". Oskar said.
"That's perhaps just it". "Being abused". The Knight said, gently. "When someone is abused…they tend to be in a really bad place for a long time…and the effects of it are costly". "Children are sometimes abused, adults can be abused, anyone can be abused". "But…I think…what happened to you at an early age was traumatic enough that you may have developed some symptoms later on". "It is possible". "So, that begs the question…were you ever abused?". The Knight's voice softened.
Oskar looked up at the Knight. "I don't know…I guess….I guess I was kind of…well…my parents said that I was abused when I was in the Ukrainian foster home". Oskar said. "My parents….I don't know how I was…because I was just a baby….but apparently I was".
The Knight nodded. "Well…when you were a baby, when you were just a few days old, you were brought to a foster home in Ukraine". "They weren't a very good foster home….but that's the thing about foster homes in developing nations". "They aren't exactly advanced enough to help with things such as childcare, or nurturing, anything really". "Sometimes, being a baby in nations such as Russia, or Ukraine, is the hardest thing". "We don't know what's going on…we don't know what someone is doing to us…and it can be the most painful thing when someone tries to take advantage of us". The Knight said, kindly with softness. "Being in a foster home is the most painful thing". "It really is…and when you were there, you were abused heavily".
"I was?". Oskar asked. "Yes, you were". The Knight said, gently with kindness. "When you were young, you would be isolated in a dark room for weeks, and days upon days without end". "Even so, you would be bruised heavily…you would be hit, you would be scalded, burned, and kicked". "There was a time when you were left outside in the cold when it was snowing, and chained to the wooden post and while you were wearing a jacket, it was much too cold for a baby". "You shivered, you shook, there were bruises around your eyes….you endured so much…there were times you would cry and no one would comfort you….you were just in a bad place….and it didn't get better until you were adopted". "You were just in a bad place for a long time….and thanks to your adoptive parents, you escaped that situation quickly". The Knight spoke in a softened, kind, loving voice. "You escaped, and you were lucky that you did". "When I spoke to your mom…Linda…she mentioned how appreciative you were of her". "You appreciated a lot of what your parents gave to you". "All because you made the world a better place". The Knight smiled a kind smile beneath his visor. "yes…I do love my parents…my mom and my late dad". "but…I don't know where I'd be without them". "I guess….I don't know…I appreciate a lot of what my parents gave me…and I'm happy that I do". "They made things better for me". Oskar said, sniffling. "They did…and they love you just as much…because you gave them everything". "You gave them the world". The Knight said, gently with softness.
"I'm sure I did". Oskar said. "So…how do you feel knowing that you experienced what you experienced beforehand?". "What are your feelings towards it?". The Knight asked, softly with kindness. "I don't know….I guess….I guess it's something I didn't deserve….but I don't know how to feel". "I feel sad because….because I need my parents". "I needed my birth parents….I was treated like I was nothing….and my birth mom died….it just….it just….it was a lot". Oskar said, as tears filled his eyes. "Being out in the cold….with bruised eyes…coughing…and shivering with a wet jacket…while snow covered you….while you were crying out for love….it was traumatic for you". "I'm sure as your little eyes looked upwards, you were wondering where your birth mother was….you were wondering when you would have a family….you were so young….just a baby….you didn't need anyone abusing you". "Yet you did….and it was enough to hurt you". The Knight said, kindly with softness. "It was enough that you've always needed to work a bit harder to attain what you needed". "But you received a family…and that was something deeply special".
Oskar nodded. "That, and your birth mother passed away….that was traumatic in its own nature". "But you're a survivor, I like to say". "Because you've been through it…and you've attained what you needed to". "You did your best". The Knight said, gently with kindness. "You did everything you could…and you became an amazing person".
"All because my parents saved me". Oskar said. "That's why I kind of…I kind of get anxious…because I don't want anything to happen to them".
"That, and you saved your parents". The Knight said, kindly. "You were there for them when no one else was". "You were there for your mom when she couldn't have children, you were there for your dad when he couldn't do much, you saved them in your own way". "You are fortunate…your mom is fortunate…because she has you in her life…and she has attained love, and kindness with you by her side". "You both have a beautiful relationship, you both always will, and you've always had beauty, because love is the essence of what you have, and what you attain". "I'd be thankful for that…because you have love, and kindness". "You both can do anything".
"Ok". Oskar said, as he got tears in his eyes. "You are an amazing person, son". The Knight said, softly with kindness. "I love you….truly, I do". The Knight smiled a kind smile. Oskar began crying as he put his head in his hands. "It's alright, son". "Everything will be alright, I promise you". The Knight said, kindly. Oskar cried as he began sobbing. "Everything will be alright, son". "There you go, kiddo". "I have some soda in case you need it". The Knight said, gently.
"No…I'm ok as of now". Oskar said, sniffling. "I'm fine". He laid face-down on the ground, crying profusely. The Knight smiled a kind smile, rubbing his back. "Hey, it's ok, bud". "Everything is ok, now". "I promise you". The Knight said, gently with softness. "I promise you everything is alright". The Knight gently soothed Oskar, as Oskar cried. Oskar felt more sadness, more depression, and more disgust begin to pour out. The Knight smiled a gentle smile, glancing around. It seemed as if everything was getting better. Still, Oskar felt deeply emotional. It took quite a bit for Oskar to calm down. The Knight comforted him, as he calmed down.
"Hey, buddy". "I've got some string cheese, and some soda if you'd like some". The Knight said, softly with kindness. "Is everything ok…?". "Doing better?". The Knight's voice softened. "Yes, yes…I'm doing fine". Oskar said, as he sat up. "I just…I got anxious again". "I don't know".
"Hey, we all get anxious when we talk about a past we've experienced". The Knight said, gently. "I get anxious sometimes, too". "It happens". "Especially, when the past we've experienced happens to be traumatic".
"It was traumatic for me…but I'm feeling much better now". Oskar said. "I don't know…it's just…weird".
"It is a weird thing to talk about, generally". "I've been through it, myself…and I know how much of a struggle it truly can be". The Knight said, kindly in a softened voice. "Don't worry, my friend". "Everything will be alright, I promise you". The Knight smiled a gentle smile as Oskar ate his string cheese. Oskar glanced around, seeing the incredible amounts of calm that he felt, break through. He knew it was something he appreciated. Even so, he was prepared for the calm. The calm, he knew, was a good friend of his that he forever trusted. It was something he loved, inside and out.