Chapter 1

Autumn looked out of the window at the world outside. She knew that the leaves were gone, and that this was a cold spell. She knew somehow that this was it. This was what being widowed was. Autumn looked at a picture of her late husband, Florence. He was there, smiling as he always had.

Autumn drank some milk from her sippy cup, looking down at her pet cat, while she sat on her lap. Autumn smiled, as she petted the cat, keeping her blanket over her.

The clicking of heels was heard, as her care nurse, Mandark came in. Susan Astromonov, Mandark, was her care nurse. A child genius, he had graduated at the top of his class. He was 39 now, and was taking meticulous care of Autumn, as she drank her almond milk, and petted her cat. Autumn was 23, and widowed. She had Bergou's syndrome, a genetic disorder that rendered her medically fragile. She was on 13 different medicines to stay healthy. Autumn had lost her adoptive parents a few years ago, and lived by herself now….with her care nurse. She was a young orphan and a widow.

Autumn was Autistic as well. She had moments of tuning others out, lack of focus, and inattentive behaviors, such as gazing or catatonia. Today, Autumn seemed to hear Mandark coming, and looked upwards at him. "Darling". Mandark said, in a gentle, soothing, comforting and softened voice. Mandark adjusted Autumn's pillow, as she sucked on her sippy cup.

"Darling, wouldn't you believe it?". "It's medicine time". "Time for some of your Proboxizil, and some of your other medicine". "Let's get you situated, darling". "Lift up your sleeve for me". Mandark said, soothingly with gentle comfort behind a softened voice. Autumn did as she was instructed, and lifted up her sleeve.

"How are you this morning, love?". Mandark asked, in a gentle, comforting, and kind voice. "I'm doing well". "I was just looking out of my window, at the trees". Autumn said. "Yes, the trees certainly are interesting". "I love the pine tree you and Florence have outside….the way it grows branches, and leaves….it's like a marriage tree". Mandark said, soothingly with gentle kindness. Mandark smiled, as he gave Autumn her shot in her arm. "Do you miss your late husband?". "Florence?". "He was an excellent man, wasn't he?". Mandark said, in a gentle, kind and loving, soothing voice. "I miss him a lot". "He was a great man….he had Autism…and Bergou's syndrome…just like I did". Autumn said, in a fragile manner.

"Being widowed isn't easy by any stretch". "There's finances to worry about, different aspects of self sufficiency, there's medical coverage to look at….you've endured so much trouble with these….and you've endured trouble finding someone….because you'll never find someone like Florence". "Florence was an excellent man for you….truly a divine spirit". Mandark whispered, kindly in a soothing, gentle whisper.

"Yes". Autumn replied, as she sniffled. "I don't know….I can't do it". "When Florence passed of a heart attack….I couldn't do it". "He was my best friend since childhood…he was everything to me….I don't know". Autumn sniffled.

"Do you feel like you can't move on from your late husband?". "Do you feel sad, and lonely?". Mandark asked, in a kind, soothing whisper. Autumn nodded. "Yes, widowhood is hard when something like that happens". "I was never widowed….but I've known that you are…and you're awfully young to lose a husband….who was so close to you". "Your husband meant a lot to you….because he was your best friend". "You need him….and I'm sure you've always thought of needing him". "Haven't you?". Mandark whispered in his gentle, soothing whisper. Autumn nodded.

Mandark brushed Autumn's cheeks in a comforting, gentle manner. "I know it's hard now…but I promise you, it will get much better". "Please don't be upset…and don't be frightened". "I am always beside you….and I do promise you….I will protect you….my love". Mandark whispered, gently with a soothing, kind voice. Autumn nodded, as she sniffled. "Trust me, darling". "Nothing will happen….I will always be beside you". Mandark whispered, in a gentle kindness. "You are someone very valuable". Mandark smiled a kind smile, tickling Autumn's cheeks, as she nodded.

"Mmm, that new fragrance we tried is a very enigmatic fragrance". "I simply adore the smell of it". "It's a beautiful, wonderful, luscious smell". "We've tried for so long to find you something that would make you smell so beautiful, and lovely". "And here, we have". Mandark said, in a gentle, soothing, and kind voice. He kissed Autumn's cheeks, gently as she nodded.

"What is a favorite memory you have with your late husband…..it could stem from when you were married, or before, when you both were children". "What's something you love most about him?". Mandark asked, in his soothing, gentle, and kind voice. "I loved when we were kids, and he and I were on the slide….and we held hands, because I was scared….he told me everything was ok….and I went down the slide….and waited for him….and I knew there was nothing to be afraid of….because we had each other…..and everything was ok". Autumn explained.

"You've felt protected by him ever since". "That definitely is a beautiful thing". "When a man protects his woman". "When someone who is very comfortable in himself, keeps careful watch over his friend…his true love". "It is a lovely thing". Mandark said, in a soothing, kind, loving and gentle voice, as he stroked Autumn's cheeks. "Then I remember when we were married, he always held me close, and told me just how much he appreciated me". "He was great…because we were the same". Autumn replied.

"Your late husband was very similar to you….that's always nice…when a late husband shares similarities with his wife". "He meant so much….I know being widowed is hard….but you're getting through it….in the best possible way". "I admire that so". Mandark said, in his gentle, incredibly relaxed, softened, and soothing voice. "You are someone truly amazing". Mandark smiled, as he kissed both of Autumn's cheeks. Autumn nodded, as she received her medicine, and Mandark bandaged her arm.

"Ready for breakfast now, love?". Mandark asked, soothingly with gentle kindness. Autumn nodded, as she held her cat, Nala, close. Nala meowed, as she looked at Mandark, meowing again. "Yes, and I have some breakfast for you too, wubby". Mandark said, kindly, tapping Nala's nose. He chuckled a bit.

Autumn got assistance, being helped from her chair, as she walked into the kitchen, using her walker. Mandark prepared some breakfast, as he poured some brown sugar over oatmeal. "That's lovely, honey". "Here's some of your favorite Oatmeal….the way Florence used to make it". Mandark said, in a gentle, loving, nourishing, and soothing voice. "Let's eat up now, darling". "Let's swallow, and chew…..all of the necessary skillsets". Mandark said, soothingly with love, gentleness, and nourishment behind a kind voice. It was the way a developmental therapist would talk to his special needs client. Instructing her, prompting her, coaxing her in a loving, soothing manner.

Autumn sat down in her chair, as Mandark mashed some of the brown sugar up in the oatmeal. Nala had already gotten her Friskies, cat food at this point, and was eating. Mandark took a spoonful, feeding Autumn. He spoonfed her, himself. "There we go, darling". "Very much inside…there we go, eat up now". "One at a time…you're doing wonderfully". Mandark soothed gently as he fed Autumn. Autumn chewed her food, with some dribbling down her chin. Mandark wiped her chin, gently. "There you are, darling". "You're doing wonderfully, wonderfully indeed". Mandark said, in a gentle, kind, soothing manner. "I'm so proud of you, honey". Mandark said, gently. Autumn nodded, as she swallowed her food. "You can do it….keep trying". Mandark soothed, gently with kind softness. Autumn swallowed her food successfully. "You did it". "I'm very proud of you". Mandark soothed, gently. Autumn nodded, as she swallowed her food.

"Are you enjoying your Oatmeal?". Mandark asked in a soothing, gentle manner. "I am, very much". Autumn said. "I thought you might be….your Oatmeal looks delicious, coochie". Mandark said, soothingly with kind gentleness. Mandark smiled, as he kissed Autumn's cheeks, lovingly. "How did you sleep last night, honey?". "Did you sleep ok?". Mandark asked, kindly with a loving, soothing voice. "I slept ok". "I just kind of….went to bed, and I woke up….I had a nice dream last night". Autumn said.

"That's always nice that you had a good dream". "Dreams are always a nice thing to have". "What was in your dream you had?". Mandark asked, kindly with gentle soothingness. "My parents….my mom and dad were in the dream I had". Autumn said, as she yawned.

"How are your mom and dad?". "Are they well?". Mandark asked, gently with soothing, softened kindness. "My mom and dad are passed away". "They're not around anymore". Autumn said, with a bit of agitation in her voice, as she corrected Mandark. "oh…I'm so sorry…yes, I knew that….I must've just forgotten". Mandark chuckled a bit, as he cleaned Autumn's oatmeal bowl in the sink. "Well, I'm very sorry, honey". "That must've been painful for you….and very traumatic". "I feel bad…well, that's nice you had a pleasant dream about them". Mandark said, soothingly with kind, silky softness. "Dreams about our loved ones are always pleasant…and beautiful to have". "I've had many wonderful dreams, myself, I've confided in, when everything else bothered with me". "And I've found an equal opportunity of solace in these dreams". Mandark explained, gently with kind soothingness.

Autumn nodded, as she sniffled some more. "My mom and dad passing away is nothing to laugh at". "Please, just leave it alone". Autumn said, with biting agitation in her saddened voice. "Ok, honey". "I'm sorry if I bothered you….I didn't mean to". Mandark whispered with kind, gentle, soothingness. Mandark stroked Autumn's cheeks gently. "But something I do love….something I really appreciate is how they adopted you….from the very beginning when you came from Ukraine". "Do you remember that?". "You were only 4 pounds, and you were 12 months then, you had been starved, malnourished, neglected, deprived of touch, and contact, love…and when you were brought to the United States, you were in the hospital, hooked up to machinery, with a small chance of survival". "But you managed to get through it….and you survived, and beat the odds". "You truly are an extraordinary, remarkable person". Mandark whispered in a gentle, kind, loving and soothing voice. "I love you very much for it….darling". Mandark smiled, as he brushed Autumn's cheeks, gently. "Thank you". Autumn replied, simply as she sniffled.

Mandark smiled a kind smile, kissing Autumn's cheeks. "You sound pensive today, honey". "You sound so sad". "Is there anything I can do?". "Anything I can help you with?". Mandark asked, gently with a kind whisper. "No". Autumn replied, as she sniffled. She looked for Nala, as she felt a cry come on.

"What's troubling you, honey?". "Tell me". Mandark whispered, gently with a soothing, kind voice. He massaged Autumn's cheeks, rubbing them with his thumbs. "I want my mom and dad". Autumn said, in a fragile, innocent, broken-sounding voice. Autumn sniffled, as she cried.

"I understand, darling". "They were wonderful parents….they rescued you when you were at your worst". "They saved you when it seemed you were diminishing in health". "They were your guiding angels". "Your mom and dad….gifted you with the ability to live a normal life". "They were your saviors". "And you were their guardian angel as well". "You kept them safe and happy for the longest time". "Just like you're my guardian angel….you've kept me safe, and focused for a long time". "I need you, honey". "I just hope I can be your guardian angel as well…your savior…because you've given me everything, love". "You've given me the world…and I could not ask for much more than the love you've given me". "You make me smile, and I appreciate you…with every fiber of my being". "I need you so much….and I appreciate everything you've ever meant to me". "You are my everything, love". Mandark whispered, soothingly with gentle kindness. Autumn began crying, as she looked up at Mandark. Tears came to her eyes, as she began crying softly. "What happened, baby?". Mandark asked in a soothing, gentle whisper, as he comforted Autumn, speaking to her at her emotional age. "What happened?". "Is everything ok?". Mandark asked, soothingly with gentleness. Autumn sniffled, as she shook her head.

"Tell me what's making us so sad, honey". Mandark whispered, kindly with gentle soothingness, as he spoke to Autumn at her emotional age level. "I want my mom and dad". "I want to go home, where my family is..but they're not there anymore". "I want my mom and dad". Autumn said, quietly as she sniffled, crying. "I understand, honey". "I understand, completely….I know". Mandark whispered, kindly with gentle soothingness and love behind a sweet, nourishing voice. "I know". Mandark whispered, gently with kindness, as he opened his arms for a hug.

"Well, as fortunate as we are to have one another…because, you're my best friend, we sometimes benefit from our loved ones…in a variety of ways". "And I understand how hard it's been for you". "I'm always beside you in any way possible….with whatever you need". Mandark whispered, soothingly with gentleness, as he brushed Autumn's cheeks gently. "Please don't be sad….smile for me". "Give me some love". Mandark whispered, gently as he kissed Autumn's cheeks. Autumn nodded, as she sniffled, toddling over to Mandark.

"Please, darling". "Be happy". Mandark said, in his soothing, gentle, kind, suave Barry White voice. "I need you….and I need us…love". Mandark whispered this, kindly as he brushed Autumn's cheeks, gently. "Please don't be sad". "Let's do something constructive…like a puzzle, or maybe listen to some music". Mandark suggested, kindly in a softened, soothing whisper. Autumn shook her head, sniffling. "Would you like to lay down and rest for a bit?". "I can set up the couch in the other room for a nap". Mandark suggested kindly with soothingness. Autumn nodded. "Ok". she replied.

Mandark smiled a kind, soothing smile as he set up some blankets and some pillows on the couch for Autumn. "Let's lay down for a bit, coochie". "Lay your head right here". Mandark suggested, gently in a soothing whisper, as he patted the pillow for Autumn. Autumn shook her head, refusing.

"Why won't you lay down, honey?". Mandark asked, soothingly as he reasoned with Autumn. "Because I don't want to". Autumn said, as she sniffled. "Please, honey". "You need some rest…you're not thinking clearly, you've had a bad morning, you're becoming agitated….please, please". "Try to understand it from the way I see it". "You need some rest now….please lay down". Mandark coaxed, soothingly with softness. "If you do, I'll make us some milkshakes". Mandark coaxed gently with kind soothingness. "Lay down for me…..at least rest your head on my lap". Mandark suggested, gently with softness. Mandark sat down on the couch. "Lay your head right here". Mandark whispered, soothingly with gentleness. Mandark's lips buttoned into a gentle, soothing smile. "It's ok….there's nothing to be afraid of". "Lay your head down for a bit". Mandark whispered, gently. Autumn calmed down, laying down on the couch on Mandark's lap, as he brushed her face, kindly. He brushed near her ears, as she sniffled, crying. "It's ok…it's ok". "Shhh, shhh, shh, you'll be alright". "No need to be sad….I'm beside you". Mandark whispered, gently with kind softness. Autumn cried, as she sniffled, laying her head down.

Mandark comforted Autumn, as she sniffled, closing her eyes, resting, as Mandark still stroked her face. "Goodnight, honey". "I know it's time for a rest". Mandark whispered, soothingly with kindness. Autumn slept, as she sniffled, breathing normally now. "If only you knew my true feelings towards you…the love that I have….and the magic I feel around you". "You've touched my life". Mandark whispered gently with kindness. Mandark smiled, as he comforted Autumn, putting a blanket over her, as he rested in the easy chair, looking for something to watch. He watched T.V. seeing different shows, and news bulletins. Mandark sipped some of his iced tea, as he sighed a longing sigh. He watched T.V. as he placed a blanket over himself, as he too, fell asleep. All in all it was a lazy day. It was just a day. Zzzzz.