Chapter 10
Ms. Endive smoked a cigarette, as she coughed a smoker's cough. She snorted a bit, coughing some more. "You'll love the amenities we have on board". "We have some cranberry sparkling fruit juice as a non-alcoholic cocktail, we have some soup, it's a nice buffet…so help yourself, darling". "Let one of my attendants know if you need anything". Ms. Endive said, kindly with soothing gentleness. She sat down, finishing her cigarette. "Thank you". Autumn replied.
Endive smiled as she drank some of her wine. "Mandark is an annoying little wench, isn't he?". Endive joked, as she laughed, snorting and giggling. "He might be…he mentioned dating, marrying, and impregnating several women". Autumn replied.
"My point exactly….he's a wench of a man". Endive said, kindly as she joked. She and Autumn laughed. "With his neckties, and his pocket-protector, he's not impressing anyone". "He's just playing dress-up for the fans of his". Endive joked. She and Autumn laughed again.
"Men are wenches, aren't they?". "With their long dicks, and their flushed out chins…they know nothing". Endive joked, as she and Autumn now had red faces due to laughter. "But then again, I could be a man as well….I'm somewhat of a wench, too". Endive said, gently. "You've mentioned that on occasion". Autumn replied. "Yes, I did some stupid things when I was a younger woman….some insatiable things, but I've become a much better woman". "Women are much more sensible than men". "You and I know this very well….because we've experienced marriage, we've endured, and we've been through it all". "Us women know what we're in for". Endive said, kindly. She ate her sushi. "That is a true statement, we do know". Autumn replied, as she and Endive laughed.
"So, yes, we know what we've done…that's a suitable aspect". "But I like you so much….you're a woman who's never made mistakes". "You've never done anything stupid, you've always managed to keep track of your schoolwork, you are a sensible woman". "I love that much about you….because you're wise". "Most of us find school to be important in our younger years…we just excel at a more congruent pace….but as we get older, and the delegations of primary school end, we stop caring". "Which is exactly what I did". "Don't get me wrong, I earned my doctorate in chemical engineering, but for a while, I've managed to function at a very proletariat level". "Which usually, young women in love, do partake in". "Us women; we do things at a succinct pace….which is levied at our commonality". Endive said, gently with kindness. "We need no input from the men in our lives". Endive chuckled a bit, as she sipped her wine.
"We really don't need input from men". "But while I'm working on my Master's…I choose to remain with Mandark for a while….because he helps me in the best aspects". "He's a really nice man, and he's someone I can easily rely on". Autumn said. Endive smiled a gentle, kind, and loving smile. "Yes, it's always important to have a good man beside you". "He is someone you can always rely on….whatever the situation may be". Endive said, kindly with a soothing, gente smile. Autumn nodded. "He is a good person". Autumn replied.
Autumn continued eating her sushi, as she looked around. The winds were fair, nice and steady on the yacht. "Mm, this is delicious". Endive said, gently with a soothing, kind, softness. "It is really delicious". "Did the chefs make it?". Autumn asked. "They did…and they made it with as much tenderness and love as they could muster". Endive said, kindly with a soothing, softened, gentle quality to her voice. "I love my chefs….they mean so much to me….the amazing women…the culinary wisdom those women have is unsurpassed". Endive chuckled a bit, as she finished her food.
Autumn ate hers, as she and Endive talked for a while. Autumn felt good when Endive dropped her off, later. It was a nice time….she had a bucketload of fun with.
Mandark smiled, as he placed an injection into Autumn's arm. It was time for her to receive her medicine. When she did, she looked upwards, sighing. "That didn't hurt a bit, did it?". Mandark said, gently with a soothing, softened voice. Autumn shook her head. "It didn't hurt at all". Autumn replied. Mandark distributed the medicine, as he kissed Autumn's cheeks, gently. "There we are, darling". "All nice, and situated". Mandark said, kindly with a soothing, gentle, softened voice. "Thank you". Autumn replied, as she looked upwards from her medicine injection. Mandark bandaged her, as he looked around for a moment. "It is a quiet evening, coochie". "It's just us". Mandark whispered, gently with kind lusciousness.
"It is, indeed". Autumn replied, as she looked upwards at Mandark. They both sat on the bed. Mandark took Autumn's hands, kindly. "What would you like to do, coochie?". "We could have a nice evening in bed, we could sit on the porch and talk….we could do anything you wish". Mandark said, soothingly with gentleness. "I'm not sure….maybe just a nice evening in bed….snuggling". Autumn said, as she and Mandark giggled. They pulled down the sheets, as Mandark unbuttoned his silk pajama shirt….revealing his scrawny, nerdy chest.
"Come lay right here, honey". "Right on my chest….that's where you belong". Mandark suggested, gently with kind soothingness. Mandark patted his chest, as Autumn laid her head down. "Mmmm, it is a beautiful evening". "There's nothing quite like a nice, palpable evening where we could just do nothing". Mandark said, kindly in a soothing, gentle, kind, softened manner. "That's true". Autumn replied.
Mandark smiled a kind smile, kissing Autumn's cheeks, gently. "Mmm, you're doing so well, now". "You've done amazing in therapy, you were nice doing your thing getting your Master's degree, you're well on your way, darling". "I think we're well on our way….this relationship has just given me so much hope, and so much beautiful, wonderful faith to think about". "When I think of you…..when I think of us, my heart gets butterflies, (or maybe it's my stomach), but either way, when I think about our future together, I feel very happy…because I know you're someone I've always had faith in….from the moment we met". Mandark whispered, kindly with softened, soothing gentleness. "And I always love you….forever and always". "Which is why I'd like to ask you something important….if indeed you don't mind". Mandark reached over the side of his dresser, taking out a small box….a ring box, opening it for Autumn.
"What's that all about?". Autumn asked. "This is my proposal to you….perhaps and perchance….if you'll accept it". "I want us to have a happy rest of our lives together….and hopefully, a happy home we can call ours…with all of our amenities being ours". "I want you beside me as I do it….so, with that being said…..darling Autumn….will you marry me?". Mandark asked, in a gentle, soothing, softened, and kind voice. He showed Autumn the 15 karat diamond ring.
Autumn sighed a bit, as she looked at the ring. It did look like a nice ring…with different colors of the ultraviolet spectrum shining and reflecting off of it. "It looks great….and I really do want to accept your proposal….but….I don't know if I can". Autumn said.
"Is it too soon to propose?". "Because, I can wait a while, if you like". Mandark said, kindly in a soothing, gentle voice. "No….it's not that". "I love you a lot….but I'm afraid I can't be with you". Autumn said, sullenly. "What's the problem?". Mandark asked, gently in a softened, small voice.
"My remaining family member…..she's up in Pennsylvania, and she….she's a care nurse…she offered for me to live with her….in her house, while she takes care of me". "It's in my parents' old house, with all of our old stuff she reconciled, and Florence has a brother who has always loved me from the beginning….he'll live with me, and take care of me, too". "I have to go back up to Pennsylvania….it's my only thing now". "The people I know….and the people I've loved for years are up there". "I have to go back up….I can't stay here". Autumn said, as she looked at Mandark.
Mandark sighed a deepened, soft, sullen sigh. "I understand….but would it be ok if I went up with you?". "We're a couple now….and I thought you loved me". Mandark protested, in a softened, sullen voice. "I thought so, too". "But you have your engineering firm here….and your families….if I were you, I wouldn't abandon my biological children, all 13 of them, with different women, just to be with someone". "Be a good man….be smart about this….and stay". "I think we both need different things". Autumn said.
"What would you mean by that?". Mandark asked. "What I mean by that is….I need to be with my family….and my friends". "I can't abandon them….and travel with you". "I need to be where I feel happiest…and you need to be where you are the most grounded". "Stay". "Stay here…we'll still talk….and I'll always love you". Autumn said.
Mandark nodded a kind nod. "I think that is best….I have had a reckless past, and I need to face it, like an intelligent man". "And you still do care for your family….I think you would be well up there". "And even so, if we are in different places….we'll still love one another….dearly in fact". Mandark said, kindly with soothing softness. "Just remember….I'll always love you….and you'll always be my favorite girl". "Forever and always". Mandark smiled a gentle, soothing smile, as he kissed Autumn on the lips. "I know". Autumn replied. "You'll always be my favorite, too". "And I'll always love you". Autumn and Mandark smiled, as she kissed his lips.
"That's the first time you've ever said that". "It feels really good to hear it". Mandark said, kindly with gentle soothingness. He and Autumn continued kissing.
Though Autumn kissed, she felt something even deeper. She knew and felt that she and Mandark would be reunited one day. One day….she knew. She just had to have faith.
"What day do you leave?". Mandark asked, kindly with a soothing softness. "This Sunday". Autumn replied, as she looked upwards.
"We have until then, perhaps". Mandark said, gently with a soothing, softened kindness. He continued kissing Autumn….as they enjoyed several days….until she had to leave…for good.
The day eventually came, as Autumn packed her things. Mandark drove her to the meeting spot of Clayton, Florence's brother. "So, this is it". "This is goodbye, hmm?". Mandark said, kindly with soothing, gentle softness. "Yes, this is goodbye….for a little while….just a little while, only". Autumn replied. "I'll come down and visit…..and I'll always love you….always". Autumn hugged Mandark, as they shared one last kiss. "Yes, and I'll always love you as well". "You've given me everything, darling". "What I have, and what I share….I owe to you….because, you've given me so much". "Thank you". "Thank you…..for everything". Mandark said, gently with kindness. Autumn nodded, as she hugged Mandark one last time. "Thank you for everything, too". Autumn replied. Mandark smiled, as he shared one last kiss with Autumn, while they bade goodbye to one another.
Mandark smiled, sighing while Autumn got into the van. He knew Autumn was on her way to peace. He knew he maybe would never see Autumn again….she didn't call him once, or twice after that. But in time, he was proud of himself….for his good deeds as a care nurse. He knew, somehow, that she would always be in his heart…..as the first person he ever truly loved.
Autumn died later in those 4 years. She was diagnosed with Stiff Person's syndrome, and had a short life expectancy. Mandark was devastated then. But he was proud….of himself, and of Autumn….for the love that they shared.
One evening, as Mandark went outside on his porch to smoke, he looked upwards at the stars, breathing as he heard music. "I don't know if it's cloudy, or bright". "I only have eyes…for you". The music far away sang, as Mandark looked skywards, sighing. The music they heard on their nights at the velvet lounge. Mandark heard this music….sighing. He knew somehow, he would find her again…..and even then, he would finally marry her, after an eternity passed. But for now, the music he heard, the marriage he promised, eternity was wrought from a distance…
The end.
