Chapter 6
Nastia played the recording of her adoptive parents a lot that night. She listened to it, hearing the warm, sensible, wise voice of her late adoptive parents. She wore her locket to Ace's that night when she went over.
"Hey, baby girl". Ace said, in a soothing, gentle, kind voice. One could obviously tell that he was tired. "How've you been?". Ace asked, soothingly with gentle kindness. Ace smiled a tired, dogmatic smile.
"I've been alright, I went to see a counselor today….and…I got some mementos that belonged to my late adoptive parents….they meant a lot to me….and…when I saw these mementos, I felt happy because….it was like my late parents were still there beside me". Nastia said.
"Yeah, your mom and dad were great, huh?". "They meant a lot to ya….even when you were too young to rememba". "Hey, I know exactly how that feels…I had a gang member…someone I met on the streets, Tingiebitch, that's what we called her….she and I dated for a while, we had sex, I remember pickin' her up, and doin' her on an old mattress at a strip club". "She was a cute kid…but she was killed in a bad car accident as well…because, she was on some club drugs, and basically blacked out at the wheel". "Tingiebitch was a real hot lady….she had nice thighs, nice hips, she had these nice, thick lips….she was a steal, yo". "But when she passed, I felt devastated, and angry towards the rival gang that said mean things about her…but when it came down to it, I knew I just had to let it go…because, she would've wanted me to". Ace said, softly in a genuine, gentle, soothing, comforting voice.
"I know she would've….and today, with my therapist, I learned from my late parents how to accept fate, and treat it like a beautiful thing…because, though a seed can be irrelevantly germinated, it can actually be a beautiful thing when in bloom". Nastia said.
Ace nodded, smiling somewhat of a wise, softened, sappy smile. "Those were wise words your mom said". "I agree with her totally". "And in any case, fate is an extraordinary thing…because, it decides for us what we do….no day is similar to the previous day we experience". "Every day we experience in our lifetime is unique…it's kinda like a…snowflake". "No two flakes are completely the same". Ace said, soothingly with a softened voice.
"Ya realize it as ya get older that each day that comes, and passes isn't exactly like the last one". "Everyday is different, and we learn a lesson each day that we round out our lives". "If we fear God, we can't face a new day….cuz, we'd be fearing his creation, and his new thing". Ace said, in a loving, softened, soothing voice. "You might be correct about that…but, I, personally, am Atheist". Nastia replied.
Ace curled his eyebrows a bit. "You're Atheist…?". "Why's that?". Ace asked, in a softened, gentle manner in which the caramel suaveness was illuminated in the acoustics of the car…and it's sexual, sardonic darkness.
"I'm a Scientist…I believe in the physical properties of matter as composing, and creating everything". "Without the very basic components of matter, we cannot have life…or any form of spectroscopic foundation of elements". "Elements are made up of atoms, atoms create the very basis of pretty much everything and anything". "There was a small, infinitesimal speck that burst, and created the universe". "The universe is made from that one small property of matter that exploded, and created a smorgasbord of elements, and atoms". "There's nothing else like it….God is a fallacy, the principle that a divine being created all forms of life is nonsense". Nastia stated.
"Yeah, ok…well, how do you explain heaven, then?". "How do you explain miraculous events that occur on a daily basis?". "How d'ya explain that?". "God is an abundance that surrounds himself around us every second of the day". "God is a divine bein'...he's worked his will through us". Ace explained, kindly.
"Yes, but there's also a divine power known as infinite probability". "It's the understanding that fate is a matter of what happens randomly at any given point". "There's a shake-up when it comes to fate…and even so, at any given point, anything good, or bad can happen". "It's all relative, and it's indiscreetly random". "Einstein proved that hypothesis, borrowing from Aristotle". Nastia explained.
Ace nodded. "Yea, but then again, Einstein was also the guy that proposed that God doesn't play dice with the universe". "He chooses, and picks which events can happen…somehow, he just knows when someone is hurting…and he chooses to help them….without end, and without fail". Ace said, kindly with gentleness.
"Yes..well, I have my opinions, and you have yours". Nastia stated. Ace just smirked, rolling his eyes.
"Well, whatever God does, or infinite whatever-you-said, there's someone lookin' out for us….we can all tell by the good things that happen in our lives". "I thank God each and every day for lookin out, and protectin' me". "My ass would be nowhere without him". Ace said, kindly with gentle soothingness. "I've got a story regarding that". "Hmm, let's see if I can rememba what it is".
"Oh, yeah…here it is….when I was 10 or 11, right when I joined this gang on the street, I had this buddy of mine, Cus Delofino…super nice guy….was really high though sometimes, and there'd be days where he'd just be missing…and no one knew where he was". "One evenin'...Cus had this buddy of his…Furtado Delarosso, some guy from the Bronx…super chill, but super mean…he gave me this unwrapped candy one night on Halloween, everyone was tryin' it…I ate it…and it tasted like chalky, sour powdery shit…I'll tell ya, it was nasty…but anyhow, I tried it….I was confused for days, lost a sense of time, and awareness, and one morning, I felt this pain on my side like somebody was chewing my skin off, and I just felt sweaty, queasy, lightheaded, and I just flopped down….like I legit, just collapsed on the floor''.
"I was in a coma for 3 months, hooked up to machines….and they said there was like a 0 to 5% chance I'd make it….but eventually, I did make it…though, I had several Aneurysms while hooked up to those pieces of shit….I had to relearn everythin'...from how to walk, how to talk, how to eat properly, how to stand up, I had weird sleepin' patterns…man, I was fuckin' out".
"But eventually, I came to, and I survived it…for a while though, I was on my deathbed…I will say, I'm fuckin' thankful that God came through for me at the last possible second". "He helped me, he pulled me through when it seemed I wouldn't survive…and dammit, I did". "I am the luckiest man on Earth because he pulled me through….and when I saw him, I saw the light". "I knew right then and there, that I had survived….it was a beautiful thing I'm always proud of". "I thank the doctors, I thank the guys in the ER that rushed me to the hospital…I really, and truly do believe that it's a beautiful thing…livin". "And honestly, I wouldn't want it any otha way". Ace said, in a genuine, soothing, kind, relaxed, gentle voice.
"Only people who weren't there for me were my parents…but when would they be there….never". Ace said, kindly. He chuckled a bit.
Nastia nodded. "Yes, I can see that". Nastia said. She and Ace shared a laugh. Nastia looked around the hot tub. "What were you like when you were little?". She asked. "When I was a kid, I was a chubby lil thing…I had black, short hair, I had fat legs, I looked like Big Billy almost…and I was just as stupid". "I remember taking the aptitude test when I was like 6 or 7….I did horribly on it….I was held back a year". Ace said, kindly. "They held me back cuz I couldn't read, I couldn't spell, couldn't do math, or even write letters in the alphabet". "I rememba my old man called me every name in the book when he wasn't throwin' somethin' at my head, or giving me the wingtip". "I rememba my ma tellin the principal…"ya do what ya gotta do". Ace explained.
"When I got older, I learned how to do more stuff when it came to trades, and shit". "It was easy enough….but at the time, I failed pretty much everything….the only thing I knew how to do, was eat and smoke". "But in that aspect, I smoked so much, I lost weight, didn't do no stuff, I just kinda fucked with it…did my round of drugs, cut class, had sex, yeah, I was a bad kid". "I always picked fights, did stupid stuff….I really wasn't thinkin' none". Ace said, kindly with gentle soothingness.
"I never plan on doing anything like that". Nastia said. "That kind of thing…is prude at its core".
Ace nodded. "Yeah, I wouldn't recommend it". Ace said, kindly with gentleness. "But really, it was what it was". "Who knows". Ace smiled as he relaxed in the hot tub.
Nastia nodded. "I wouldn't even dare to do it". Nastia said. Ace felt the enigma of the hot tub. "Yeah, my best memory when I was a kid was hangin' out by the playground near the old Elementary school". "I had a fuckin time there". "It was excellent". "Me an' this otha kid who got shot". Ace said, gently with kindness. "He was shot in a drive-by shooting". "Weird kid".
"Yes, indeed he was weird, it seemed". Nastia said. "Yeah, who knows…ya gotta hang onto the ones ya got…cuz…once they gone, they gone, cuz". Ace said, kindly. He and Nastia laughed.
"Your hair looks much longer than when it was when you were little". Nastia said. "Yeah, I kinda let myself go a bit…I'm planning on my hair to be down to my Ass". "it looks good now, though, doesn't it?". "Like I'm the Budweiser guy". Ace said, soothingly with kindness.
"Who?". Nastia asked. "There was this commercial on T.V. back when I was your age, this Budweiser guy on the commercial had long hair, and shiny teeth". "I look almost like him, huh?". Ace asked, kindly. "Ya don't know it….I'm an old fuck, I know plenty of stuff you don't". Ace said, gently. He laughed a bit.
Nastia nodded. "I'll have to see it sometime". Nastia said. Ace smiled a playful smile, splashing Nastia. "Wanna play a game I invented?". Ace asked, playfully with kindness. "It's called floaty piss….there's gonna be somethin' brown in the tub, you'll have ta guess if it's poop or a candy bar". Ace laughed an immature laugh as he said this.
"I don't think I'd like to play that game". Nastia said, hesitantly. "Aww come on, coochie". "Play with daddy's shit". Ace said, playfully with gentleness. Nastia shook her head, squealing with laughter.
Snake came outside, putting something in the tub, it was brown, as it floated across the water. Ace winked at Nastia, picking her up, bringing her near the turd-looking object.
"No!". "No!". "That's bad, get me outta here!". "Ewww!". Nastia squealed, as she felt Ace lunge her toward the turd. "Come play wit it, coochie!". "Play wit it!". "Ya know ya want to!". Ace said, playfully, as he tickled Nastia with the turd. "Ewww, you're such a disgusting piece of scat, yourself!". "Ewwww!". Nastia squealed, as she and Ace shared an abundance of laughter.
"It'sssss not actually a turd". Snake hissed, as he laughed. "It'ssss a candy bar".
"Ha!". "See, I knew it was only somethin' minor!". "Damn, we got her good!". Ace said, playfully, and loudly as he laughed. Snake laughed as well, picking up the candy bar.
"That was gross, though". "You gentlemen are putrid". Nastia said. "Hey, we aim to please". "It's what we do". Ace said, gently with kindness. "But in any aspect, ya gotta admit, I love playin' around with ya…havin' fun, kissing your lil nosey, tickling ya….you're the coolest cat I ever laid eyes on….and really, I mean that". Ace said, kindly with gentle lovingness. "I'm sure you do…and I mean that as well". Nastia said. "You are an amazing person….Honestly, I don't understand why people at school give you a bad rep". Nastia settled down a bit, drinking her Oat Milk. Things settled down in the tub.
"Well, the reason they often do is because…I never graduated my senior year back in 95". "I was always left back a few years". "I try and try to drop out…but…each time I try to, the truancy officer sees me…and my boys". "I gotta avoid him to do it, otherwise, I go to prison…that means no more hot tub parties like we have, no more hideout, no more roamin' the streets, eating what we want, doing what we want, and tellin people what to do". "Prison means a short leash, and wit that, my boys an' I are splitsville". "We get thrown in different cells". "Prison is a bitch man…I never been, but I was in jail a couple times". "Once when I was 13, and once when I was 16…and those times, I escaped". "Man, if it wasn't a bitch". Ace said, kindly.
Nastia nodded. "Yes, prison is hard….jail as well…I never wish to get involved". Nastia said.
"Yea, just don't". "Ya don't want that….not now, not eva". Ace said, gently. Nastia looked around.
"Plus, at school, I'm kinda an asshole to everybody…I do that because I can…it's the only way I know". "My parents were that way to me, otha kids were assholes in Elementary school when I was there, it's just what I was used to". "An really, I neva saw the downside to it…fear makes people respect you….not love". Ace said, kindly. "That's true, but don't you want mutualism based on kindness?". "That's what I believe, anyways". Nastia said.
"Yea, somethin' like that…who knows". "I'll see what there is…I like fear, and motivation through bullying". "To get what ya want, ya gotta get mad". "My old man, my grade school teachers got what they wanted outta me by getting mad….and now, I'm doing the same". "It's nothing personal…it's just what I'm used to". Ace said, gently.
Nastia nodded. "Well, according to Primrov's hierarchy of Leadership model developed in 1967, of course, granted it was during the hippy era, an effective leader shows good demonstrations through love, respect, and model behavior". "According to focus group studies, and certain models, and interviews done by Primrov, workers, and members of a social caste system respond better towards positive outreach, good manners, active listening, and good socializations". "Any conflict can be resolved using a positive behavior model demonstrated in a social setting…be it in school, or in the workplace". Nastia said.
Snake, and Big Billy looked at one another smiling…obviously impressed. "Check out the bookhead on her". Big Billy said, as he smiled, giving a thumbs up.
Ace nodded, kindly. "Sounds interesting enough…but….where'd you read that?". "Cuz I read something different in Playboy sayin' that ya gotta use fear to intimidate othas". "Mainly women". Ace said, kindly…a bit flummoxed at minor points in his tone.
"Bossssss". Snake hissed, as he sat in his spot in the hot tub. "You don't read". "You look at Playboy to look at girlsssss". Snake hissed as he said this.
"Fuck off, will ya?". Ace barked, as he punched Snake. It was the classic punch.
"Well, Hugh Heffner does do that to girls…he objectifies them". Big Billy mentioned.
"Yea, man, I'm aware a'that". "Heff does all sorts a shit to the women in that house…that's how he makes em' pretty". Ace said, as he sneered a bit.
"Well, that's demeaning". Nastia said. "Yeah, I'm sorry, coochie". "I didn't mean to say that…I'm a weird guy at times…or, well…just a guy". Ace said, sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. He itched in his hair.
"Yeah, I kinda….I like women…women are cool…I try not to be sexist around my baby best friend, coochie…Nastia….she'll be a rocket scientist one day". "She'll be one of them women with a long skirt, and 4 inch heels". "Don't fuck her none". Ace said, as he sneered a bit. The other members of the gang laughed.
"...ok". Nastia replied. "That, or she'll be one of em women with big glasses…nerdy glasses, and her hair in a bun". Ace said, laughing. "Like a librarian". Big Billy said, laughing. "Or like a Ballerina…they're pretty". Lil Arturo said, as he blushed a bit. "Hey, watch it!". "I actually take Ballet". Nastia said. Lil Arturo laughed, along with the other boys.
"Oh, you do Ballet?". "I didn't know that….that's so amazing, and beautiful". Ace said in a gentle, kind, soothing voice. "Ballet is such a cool performing arts thing…I always wanted to see it, but I was afraid the guys would hassle me about it". "Ballet, and charcuterie".
The other members of the Gang nodded. "Ballet isn't bad, boss". "I watch Ballet all the time". Lil Arturo said, sweetly.
"No ya don't". "You called those motherfuckers running around in tights, "gay". Ace replied, curtly. "I might have…but I regret it now". Lil Arturo said.
"Nah, man…you said they were Gay as fuck…oh you know, neva mind". Ace said, swiftly as the others laughed at Lil Arturo. Lil Arturo hung his head. Nastia looked off to the side. "Hey, kiddo…y'know we're just messin' around". "We mean nothing by it". Ace said, kindly. "That's ok". Nastia said. "I think Lil Arturo's gay and he doesn't want to admit it".
The others ooo'ed and aww'ed. "Man, she's roasting you, isn't she?". Ace sneered at Lil Arturo. Ace ruffled Lil Arturo's hair, as he laughed. "She definitely is…and I don't mind it at all". "Because, I like her…like admire her". "So, I obviously can't be gay". Lil Arturo said. The others ooo'ed and aww'ed again. "Man, you're really spitting some game there, aintcha?". Ace said, as he sneered. "Badda bing, badda boom". Ace laughed a bit.
"Shut up, dumbass". Lil Arturo said, as he laughed. Ace clasped his hands around Lil Arturo's throat. "Haha, say that again, and I'll choke ya!". Ace said, laughing. Nastia somehow knew something was festering beneath the surface. They were about to fight.
Nastia kept her distance, as she looked down at her Oat Milk. She saw the white in her Oat Milk, as she drank some of it.
"Yeah, man…she got some legs, Nastia…that Russian baby". "I'd like to get her in a bathtub, and fuck her like it's 1997". Ace sneered as he laughed. The others laughed as well, while Nastia listened.
"Hey, boss…didn't you have a sex dream about Nastia?". Grubber asked, amidst a laugh. "Yeah, she was wit me…she was naked, I was naked…we were slaying the poon like a dirty piece of shit!". Ace sneered again, laughing maniacally. "Yeah, I slayed the poon once…I think I had my boxers turned inside out…the blonde whore got confused, and stood there, like…"duh, it's a dingaling". Grubber said, as he laughed.
"Yeah, something like that….though, I've had ladies drink my Semen before". Ace said, as he sneered. "Man, them bitches come in…they don't stop!". Ace laughed maniacally.
"You said it!". Lil Arturo said, as he laughed. Snake laughed as well.
The teens joked in the hot tub for a good part of 4 hours before it was time for Nastia to head home. Ace dried Nastia off, driving her home. Nastia felt a bit woozy from the smell of Marijuana, and alcohol, and the mist from the hot tub. Indeed, Ace smelled like Marijuana. Or a combination of drugs.
"Well, here we are, honeybun". "I'll see ya tomorrow before class". "We'll meet for breakfast, or somethin". "You know where to find me…I don't need to remind you". Ace said, gently with soothingness. Nastia nodded, quietly. "What's wrong, honey?". "Didn't you have fun this evening?". Ace asked, kindly with gentle soothingness.
"I had a good time…except….when you guys said all of those ugly, dangerous, inappropriate things, it made me uncomfortable". Nastia said, quietly. She rubbed her eyes. "You were referring to me in your explicit jokes".
Ace smiled a kind smile. He smirked a bit, while his mouth corner twitched.
"Coochie, those were all jokes…those were just stupid things we say because we're guys…we're idiots". "We say shit like that around girls we think are cool…but I never intended for that stuff to make you feel scared, or uncomfortable". "Believe me, the last thing I'd want to do is to hurt you….please…please don't be mad at me". "I don't want to see my baby upset". "It makes me upset….please…allow me to continue being a part of your world". Ace said, soothingly with gentle softness and kindness.
Nastia nodded. "I'm not upset….I know those are jokes…nothing more". "I just felt kind of scared because….I've never heard anything like that before…I was kind of on-edge". Nastia said.
Ace nodded. "Yeah, baby…it's tough bein around us dudes…but you handled yourself well…you're one of us, now". Ace said, kindly as he winked. Nastia nodded. "I've been promoted…how sweet". Nastia said. She and Ace shared a laugh.
"Goodnight, honey….sleep tight now….don't let no bed bugs come after ya". "Believe me, they're bad at my house…they get on my ceiling". "But anyhow, sleep well, I'll talk to ya tomorrow". "Love you". Ace said, kindly with gentleness. "I love you too". Nastia replied. "Goodnight". Nastia said.
"Goodnight". Ace replied, as Nastia went upstairs. As she took a warm shower, and got her full-body pajamas on, she listened to her parents' recording again. She enjoyed the majority of the recording….she listened to it, intently….as she did…she zeroed in on something her parents said. "If anything should happen, Professor Utonium would look after you". It was like a clue….something leading to the happenstance of guardianship on Professor Utonium's part.
As she listened to it, over and over, she remembered it all. Professor Utonium…the Powerpuff Girls…they were family friends with her old adoptive family, the Mendersons. Nastia pieced it together….and it fit like a puzzle. Professor Utonium was supposed to be her guardian! How did she wind up with the Bensons? Nastia knew that in order to figure it out…she would have to gain traction, and get to the truth, while sharing the truth. Doing so would be a lot harder than expected. Especially with Thanksgiving right around the corner. Then, Christmas. This was going to be an ordeal.