Chapter 7

Nastia woke up the next morning…looking around, as the sun careened the sky. She still was confident in the new day. She felt an aspect of renewal in the new day…yet, something weighed heavy on her mind. It was something she was searching for in her sleep for a long time. Was Professor Utonium supposed to be her legal guardian? And if so, where were the documents? If they weren't destroyed, why were they ignored?

Nastia looked on her Microfiche machine, searching for documents that may or may not have had relevance to Professor Utonium. She found a few, except they were regarding Academic Awards of his. Scanning through papers, and county records, she found a few, and a couple academic proposals, scientific grants, and a few other things, however, nothing on guardianship.

Nastia kept searching….fruitfully, until Eddy called her downstairs for breakfast.

Nastia went downstairs, talked to Eddy for a bit, until it was time for the bus.

At school, Ace talked with the rest of the Gang, as he smoked his cigarette. "Hey, coochie". Ace said, kindly with a gentle soothingness. Ace smiled, as he smoked. He coughed a bit underneath the sunny, Southwest sky, running his fingers through his greasy hair.

"Hello, Ace". Nastia replied, as she played on her Gameboy. Ace smoked his cigarette, while the ashen tip of his cigarette fell off, in its chalky white.

"How's your morning going, coochie?". "You look nice…I love your dress, it's so pretty, love". "You always look the prettiest in the morning". Ace said, gently with a kind soothingness.

"Thank you". Nastia said. Nastia focused on her game.

"Whatcha playin there?". "I'm sure I heard of it…I play videogames all the time". "Right now, I'm really into this lil number wit Pac Man….it's on my cell phone…it's the coolest shit eva". "I grew up playin' Pac-Man….it was pretty cool giz". Ace said, kindly.

Nastia looked upwards from her Gameboy. "This is Pokemon Red and Green". "I like Pokemon due to the strategy aligned with a battle". "Pokemon is a nice game". "Not to mention, the creatures are cute". Nastia said.

Ace nodded. "Yeah, I love some Pokemon myself". "I always lose every single battle they got..but the Pokemon are cool enough". Ace said, kindly. "I like Haunter and Gengar". "Gengar is a cool one". Ace smoked.

"Yeah, but there's one I love…the Legend of Zelda for the N64…mmm, yeah, Princess Zelda is a cute lil babe….in Ocarina of Time when she's a lil girl…mmm, she's so cute". Ace mused, with a dreaminess. "She is kinda hot as well when she's older…..she's a lovergirl, that Zelda…mmmm, yeah, I like her". Ace's eyes widened with an admiration, as he giggled a dreamy giggle.

Nastia replied, calmly. "Ocarina of Time is a good game". "I also admire Majora's Mask, Oracle of Seasons, and a myriad of others". "However, Ocarina of Time is my favorite". Nastia said.

"Yeah, Zelda's a cute baby…kinda like you…you're cute". Ace said, kindly as he chuckled. "That, and my girl, Samus…in that new comic they got for Metroid…mmm, hell yeah, she's a babe I want". "Cute girl". Ace said, dreamily.

Nastia nodded, keeping her lips pursed in agreement. Ace smiled. "Well, yeah, video games are fun enough…but hey, every once in a while, ya gotta play Pinball". "An yeah, I was the master of Pinball". "I used to play Pinball all the damn time". "The high score I got was 1223". "Try an' beat that!". Ace said, confidently.

Nastia still nodded, calmly. Ace ran his fingers through his hair….then, taking out his comb to comb his long hair. "Ahhh, yeah…this is a beaut, right here, folks". "Ooo, I'm lookin' sexy". Ace said, playfully in a suave, deep, voice that was compounded with a silly accent.

Ace laughed, as he slammed his fist down on the cigarette, and garbage can that had a metal top. "Yeah, bitches!". Ace laughed, playfully, while Nastia just nodded, while she stood by.

Nastia drank her Oat Milk, while some other Gangreen Gang members came over. "Boss, hey…ready for breakfast?". Big Billy asked, as he lit a cigarette. "Yeah, fatass, just a second". Ace said, as he giggled.

Big Billy lit a cigarette, smoking it, while the ends became an ashen white. "So, how are ya, coochie coo?". "You doin' well?". Big Billy asked, Nastia, kindly.

"I'm doing well…I'm just indulging in Pokemon Red and Green". Nastia replied. Big Billy nodded, kindly. "Aww yeah, that game is so much fun". "I love Pokemon Red and Green". "The fight in Lavender town has some kickin' music". Big Billy said, kindly with enthusiasm.

"Yeah, man…we love that shit". "We've got this new N64 game…hasn't even hit store shelves yet….what's it called, it's a Pokemon game". "It's called "Pokemon Stadium". "That game is gnarly". Lil Arturo said.

Nastia nodded. "I might've played that one…it's cool, either way". Nastia said.

Ace smoked his cigarette. "We do the multiplayer battles, an' I always lose". "I got no hand-eye coordination whatsoever". Ace stated.

"It's due to my brain damage, Aneurysm thing, I got none a' that". Ace said, as he blew out cigarette smoke.

"I've played Pokemon Stadium with my brothers…it's an easy game due to the simple mechanics, and easy control pattern". Nastia explained.

"Yeah, it's not bad, really". "We played it, it was relatively easy enough". Grubber said.

Nastia nodded. The air was filled with smoke, as every single member of the Gangreen Gang indulged in cigarettes. It also smelled like beer, and marijuana.

Ace looked at Big Billy, as he blew out smoke. "Didja slay the poon last night wit that girl you were hangin wit?". "I somehow knew you were at the strip club". Ace mentioned.

Big Billy laughed in delight. "Yea, man…I was there for a couple hours….I put some dollar bills in her crotch…an' I nabbed her…like one guy wouldn't believe". "I got her so well, she was just layin' while I popped her…she dipped, an' I was gonna trip…but I got her like it was 1997". Big Billy said, as he laughed a bit.

"Yeah, man…I believe it". Ace replied. "Was it Diamond, or Chastity?". "Maybe Emerald or Latesha…I slayed Latesha, and she gave me a 50". Ace stuck out his tongue.

"Someone along those lines…I think maybe it was Latesha…she's always generous when she greets you at the pole….she's all naked, and delightful". "She's a cool baby". Big Billy replied. "We slayed on the mattress in the back". Big Billy laughed. Ace laughed as well, as he smoked.

"Latesha's my sweetheart….she knows what we like". "And she's a smart lady, too". "What, she's got an IQ of 123?". "She's a smart piece of shit". "I love her". Ace said, as he smoked.

Nastia listened in. "Is she earning money, or is it just her way of life?". Nastia asked. "It's just what she does to make a livin". "She didn't go to no college, she dropped out of High School and dipped when she was 17". "At least the damn Truancy officer wasn't there when she did it". Ace said, blowing out smoke.

Nastia nodded. "That sounds viable". Nastia replied. Ace smiled. The other members of the Gang smoked, while Big Billy's shirt hung out. He literally was obese.

Big Billy made a mouth of his belly button, playing with it, doing a funny accent. "Crawl into my belly, bitch!". Big Billy said, in a Louis Armstrong- esque voice, while the others laughed.

Ace laughed as well. "Man, that's gettin' old…make it stop!". Ace sneered. "Make me!". Big Billy said, laughing. Nastia found her sides hurting from so much laughter.

"Well, let's see if breakfast is ready, boys…and little boy". Ace said, kindly. Ace rubbed the tiniest piece left of his cigarette into the small ash circle on the metal garbage can.

"I'm still a girl, Ace". Nastia said, with some mild contention. "Oh yeah…I knew that". "Maybe, it'd be better for me if ya were a guy". Ace muttered, under his breath. He was being slightly sexist.

Ace and the others walked to the cafeteria, as they stood in line, and received breakfast. They ate the school's rations of toast, bagels, eggs, and bacon, as well as cereal.

"So Thanksgiving is coming up". Nastia said, as she looked upwards at Ace. "aw, yeah…it's this Thursday". "Yeah, we been plannin' on takin a trip to Florida, or somewhere warm for that". "Maybe even Jamaica…I got some friends down there". "But anyway, I was lookin for a baby girl to come with us on this trip". "Wanna come wit us?". Ace asked, kindly. "I would definitely love to". Nastia replied. Ace smiled a kind smile. "We'd love to have ya…do it wit us…you'll think it's an amazing time". "Besides, it's only a car ride away". Ace said, kindly with gentleness.

"I think I might….it'll be so much fun". Nastia replied. Ace smiled a clever, cunning, creepy smile. "You'll love it, kid". "Believe me". Ace said, gently with softness. Nastia smiled….an equally cunning, clever, creepy smile. She was enthusiastic for it. Truly, she was.

The day ebbed and flowed, Nastia met the gang for lunch again….and planned the trip to Florida. Specifically, Ft. Meyer's beach…which was warm that time of year. And she held out all kinds of enthusiastic hope for the day's harvest of Turkey, mashed potatoes, Green bean casserole, Cranberries, stuffing, and a smorgasbord of soups and pies. Nastia knew it to be a fun time.

That night, the drive to Ms. Bellum's office was a happy, and worthwhile drive as well…Nastia had a lively discussion with Eddy, about a variety of topics. When she got to the office, she felt out all sorts of enthusiasm as well. What she wasn't banking on, was a tumultuous recollection of the past with Ms. Bellum.

Nastia entered the office, pajamas on, as she took her blanket Ms. Bellum gave her, to the office. Ms. Bellum gently wrapped her in it.

"Good evening, darling". "It's wonderful to see you this evening". Ms. Bellum said, gently with a kind warmth, and softness. Her heels clicked as she walked. "How are you, darling?". "How was your day?". Ms. Bellum asked, kindly with a gentle warmth and softness. "It was quite wonderful, actually". "I got a 100% on my A.P. Biology test, I did well on the A.P. Literature reading of "Taming of the Shrew", I had a spectacular day". Nastia stated.

Ms. Bellum smiled a kind smile. "Yes, Advanced Placement classes are a wonderful attribute". "I remember being in a few myself". "I just cannot remember what they were….embarrassingly enough". Ms. Bellum said, kindly.

Nastia nodded. "Advanced Placement classes were easy and fun". "I mean, they are easy and fun…I enjoy them…I just cannot believe…I'm only 6 years of age…and I'm taking Advanced Placement classes". "At the High School level….that's something extraordinary, isn't it?". Nastia stated.

Ms. Bellum nodded, gently. Her lips glowed a bright, copper red. "Well, you do have a form of Autism known as Savant Syndrome….and with this condition, your amygdalic region has been rewired in terms of Synapses to include a higher Intelligence Quotient….to the level of Savantism, or Genius level". Ms. Bellum said, kindly with a soothing form of gentleness.

Nastia nodded. "I've noticed that I have the condition…however, I've always wondered…how I acquired the condition….something that I've always had, that I've always been curious about". Nastia said. Ms. Bellum chuckled a bit. "Well, curiosity is only natural for the best of us". Ms. Bellum said, gently with kind soothingness.

"The best answer to this is to begin at the very beginning". Ms. Bellum said, kindly with a loving soothingness.

Nastia nodded. "What is the story?". Nastia asked. Ms. Bellum smiled. "Well, you were born on January 13th, 1993…it was a colder day in Russia…one of the wintry days that might have been too cold for anyone to heed". Ms. Bellum spoke in her sultry, kind, gentle loving voice.

"However, you were born to Olga Vladmirova on Thursday….it was a beautiful day for her, because she had recently partook in a home birth…which is natural enough". "When you came from her womb, and after the umbilical cord had been cut, she wrapped you in a blanket….a softened, gentle blanket, and kissed your forehead….she promised you that she would never let you go….and that the bond between the both of you would always be prevalent". "Even at the end". Ms. Bellum explained in a gentle, soothing voice.

"What were the different ways she used to nourish me?". Nastia asked. "Well, she used to let you drink from her breast…she would sing and hum to you….there was an unmistakable bond of trust that was present….and even so, you were there beside her". Ms. Bellum said, in a kind, soothing manner.

"Of course, the nights by the fireplace, the love, the kisses on the forehead, the love….it was all cut short when….perhaps…well…we know…". Ms. Bellum whispered in a soothing, gentle manner. Nastia nodded.

She looked upwards, feeling the essence…knowing the essence behind what she had felt.

"She loved you….she loved you more than anyone….and she always wanted to see you smile…because you were hers". Ms. Bellum whispered, gently in soothingness. Nastia nodded. "I would've liked to see her as well". "I don't even….I don't even remember her…that much". Nastia said.

Ms. Bellum smiled a kind smile. "She loved you, however". "She knew you were hers…..and that she was yours". Ms. Bellum whispered in a soothing, gentle manner.

"That's always nice". Nastia replied. Ms. Bellum smiled as she wiped a tear from her eye. "You both had a significant bond". "A bond that could not be broken". "You have that bond….and it is significant in the way of eternity….because, there is no stronger bond than that of a woman and her mom". "The bond is eternal, rooted in heaven, and in us with our biology". Ms. Bellum whispered, soothingly with kindness.

Nastia nodded. "I believe it". She replied.

Nastia looked around as she sipped a bit of her hot cocoa. "So, then what happened?". Nastia asked.

Ms. Bellum smiled a kind smile. "You were found, and brought to the orphanage….were you were loved….perhaps…however, you were deprived of the informal, loving, kind, warm, nourishment that every baby needs". "Instead of being fed, or talked to, held and cuddled, you were ignored, and left alone unless it was changing time, or when it was feeding time…which, they never fed you solid foods". Ms. Bellum whispered, kindly.

"You never had your cries answered, you never got the warmth and love of a nourishing hug, you never received solid food, or a bedtime story". "You were always alone…..or in the dark". "You were cold, you never had a warm blanket in the wintertime….it was a bad experience…being in the orphanage….it was arduous". Ms. Bellum whispered, kindly with softness. "Children who do not receive proper nourishment in infancy, oftentimes have bad outcomes…..they fall behind in school, they have emotional disturbances, they become violent and misdirected….that's why I took this position in developmental pediatrics….and child development, as well as nutritionist….because I believe every child needs a healthy, happy future". "You need one as well". "Russia was a source of fate….and yes, while it had a more than favorable outcome, you needed nourishment….you needed that stimulation in order for the synapses to wire effectively and properly". "You had an emotional disturbance, Nastia". "Yours is caused by neglect in infancy…..but honestly, it is no one's fault". "You just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time". "You're very intelligent, very well-read, very conducive to your executive functions….however, the part of your past you've experienced…..it's a part of your story….and now, you need to embrace it". "And make it a part of your culture that you're not ashamed of". Ms. Bellum explained, soothingly.

Nastia nodded. "Yes, and while Russia was traumatic, I kind of….I like who I am at the end of the day". "I value my differences, I value my intelligence, it is very nice indeed". Nastia said.

Ms. Bellum nodded. "Do you wish to speak with your birth mother again…..if you could?". "Just to tell her hello, and have a conversation with her?". Ms. Bellum's soothing voice softened.

Nastia glanced around. "I wish to see her again….maybe one day….but it's kind of weird because….she's…in a different place". Nastia said.

Ms. Bellum nodded. "She's doing her own thing now….but she will always love you….always". "And even from far away, she'll always be beside you, if ever you need her". Ms. Bellum said, kindly with gentleness.

Nastia nodded. "She will be…and….I love her…..even though, she's….away". Nastia said. Ms. Bellum smiled a kind smile. "You're her favorite…..even from far away". Ms. Bellum said soothingly.

Nastia nodded. "It's weird how that worked out…but I have a family now….brothers who love me….pretty much everything is good". "I just haven't had the chance to count my blessings yet". Nastia said. Ms. Bellum smiled. "There's a lot to be Thankful for". "We both know it's true". Ms. Bellum said, kindly with gentleness. Nastia nodded. She drank more of her cocoa. "I know there is….and I'm Thankful as well". Nastia said. Ms. Bellum smiled. "There's good reason to be". Ms. Bellum said, kindly. She opened her arms for a hug. "If there's anything else you wish to talk about…..never hesitate to let me know". Ms. Bellum said gently. Nastia nodded.

"Thank you, Ms. Bellum". "And at the end of the day, I forgive what happened in Russia….because as crazy as it sounds, I value my Savantism….and my oblique skills". Nastia said. Ms. Bellum nodded. "I'm happy you do, darling". "Creampuff". Ms. Bellum said, kindly. She chuckled a bit.

"Creampuff?". Nastia asked. "Yes, my new nickname for you….because you're sweet, innocent and cute like a creampuff". Ms. Bellum said, gently.

"It's better than Powerpuff". "That sounds so cliche". Nastia said. She and Ms. Bellum laughed. "Yes, you're certainly right, honey". Ms. Bellum said, kindly. "Thank you". Nastia replied. Ms. Bellum smiled a kind smile. "I agree with that". Ms. Bellum said, kindly.

Nastia looked down at the Russian figurine on Ms. Bellum's desk. "I'm happy…because it's a distinct piece of who I am". Nastia said. Ms. Bellum nodded, kindly. "It's a wonderful piece of who you are that you should embrace". Ms. Bellum said, gently. Nastia stared with genuine Thankfulness at the figurine. "For the first time, I actually am". Nastia said.

Ms. Bellum smiled. "I'm happy for you as well, honey". Ms. Bellum said, kindly. They parted ways, finishing cocoa and wishing one another a happy Thanksgiving. Nastia felt happy…for the first time ever….because she felt secure in who she was.