Chapter 6
Mandark smiled, as he got off of the phone. He wore a facial mask on his face, along with cucumbers. "Femme….Femme Curwin, now". "She sounds the same…like a genuine, American treasure". Mandark said, kindly with gentle soothingness, as he chuckled a bit, and a pretty maid did Mandark's fingernails. "My ex-wife, what a piece of work". "She knows so much about the ins and outs of a divorce, I'm lucky I had my attorney….otherwise, the work she threw at me….still, to this day, I'd never be able to decipher it". Mandark chuckled. Mandark had a green, minty lime sachet facial mask over his cheeks, and cucumbers on his eyelids. Cute, attractive maids did most of his facial work.
His feet soaked in a footbath. Emily came inside, as she held her sippy cup. "Hello, beautiful darling". "You are such a daydream, and a lovely aspect". "Come see cookie, so I can give you a kiss". Mandark said, kindly with gentle soothingness. Mandark chuckled, as he lifted his smooth, lotioned hands, blowing Emily a kiss.
"Would you like to get a facial with me?". "I'm getting my face done because there's just so many wrinkles, and so much aging….I'm an old man ahead of his prime". "Come get a facial with me, so we can be cucumber buddies". "I've reserved a spot for you right in my favorite chair". "We can talk, and we can drink some nice lemontinis". "It's a mocktail, so there's no alcohol…only lemon juice, and a whole lotta fun". Mandark chuckled, as he smiled, giggling.
Emily nodded, as she sat down. She sighed a deepened, moody sigh, as she growled a bit. "Uh oh…..someone needs this more than I do". "Jeanine, would you give her a pressure facial mask?". "Be gentle with her, because she might not be too fond of touching". Mandark said, kindly with gentleness. He playfully pinched Emily's cheeks, gently. "Someone's grumpy, gumpy, gumpy". Mandark playfully wobbed in a silly, childish accent. He laughed.
"What's wrong, baby?". "You seem a little bit stressed today". "Tell your big brother, big man what the problem is". "What's giving you a hard time, coochie?". Mandark asked, kindly with soothing gentleness. "It's nothing….don't worry about it". Emily said, as she sniffled.
"Tell me, sweet pea". "Did something happen at school?". "Was everything ok today?". "I know older kids have a tendency to be mean, sometimes". Mandark said, kindly with soothing gentleness. "School was fine….I am ok". Emily said.
"I just kind of….I want to go home….to Pennsylvania…with my mom and dad". Emily said. "Or…where my mom and dad were". Emily sighed.
"Sometimes, we have a hard day…where we feel depressed, or sad about what bothers us…but now is a time to forget about what made us so unhappy". "Let's get our faces cleaned, and just have fun". "Maybe tonight, I'll kick on the hot tub, and we'll make some rootbeer floats with chocolate oat ice cream, and we'll have a good time". "There's no need to be sad…when we can forget our troubles". "Maybe we can have ice cream for dinner". "We haven't had that in a while, huh?". Mandark said, kindly with soothingness. He winked, as he laughed.
"Have you ever had a lemontini with a bit of gin fizz?". "It's a nice concoction I came up with for my coworker, Landon, his son Abbot's birthday party". "Abbot loved it so much, he wanted more and more of it". Mandark said, gently with kindness as he laughed. "Yeah, that sounds good". Emily said.
"I won't get in trouble with anyone if I gave you a little bit of a lemon martini". "It tastes really good with gin fizz". "You'll love it". Mandark said, kindly with gentle soothingness. Mandark chuckled, as his nails were filed, and done. His cucumbers were taken off of his eyelids.
"I feel quite young without all that crap on my face". "Mmmm, I feel excellently replenished, and rejuvenated, thanks to hyaluronic acid". "Mmmm, I needed that". "Here, let's get you a lemon martini, darling". Mandark said, gently with kind soothingness. He smacked a maid's behind, as she giggled while leaning over Mandark's lap. The maid giggled along with Mandark, before scurrying off to get Emily's lemon martini.
"How was everything today, sweet lovey?". "Was everything well in school?". "How did you do on your test?". Mandark asked, kindly with soothing, gentle, softness. "I got an A". Emily replied.
"I'm so proud of you, honey". "But it's not surprising….you get a good grade, you're the top of the class, because you work extremely hard every evening". "You are just the hardest working, most successful individual I know". "But more than that, you're my beautiful best friend, soulmate, and baby sister". "Our love is so divine….what I see in you, is a beautiful, amazing, lovely baby girl with so much potential". "I love you, and treasure you most". Mandark said, kindly with gentle soothingness. He smiled, as he blew Emily a kiss, while she batted away the maid's hand, while getting a facial mask put on. "Go away". Emily said, putting her hands up.
"This needs to stay on your face so it can moisturize and cleanse". The maid reminded, kindly. Emily nodded, as she sniffled. "Mmm, are you having a bad day, coochie?". Mandark asked, kindly with gentle soothingness. "Kind of". Emily said. "It's ok, honey". "Let's hang in there for a few more minutes". "I'll see what the hot tub looks like, and we can get in for a while". "Let's not let some crankiness get in the way of our fun evening". "Let's smile, and be happy". "Hey, you got an A on your math test". "That's something to be proud of". "I know it might not be easy to do now…but let's have some fun this evening". "Just take a deep breath, inhale, exhale some of that bad energy, and release….close your eyes….and just relax tonight". "Think of something funny….like me wearing my speedos in the hot tub, or when Femme wore her wallet sized bikini on our honeymoon". "Did she tell you that story of when we first were married, and she wore the craziest, smallest, thinnest, tiniest bikini imaginable, and she got hit on by 4 guys". "We were laughing so hard that night". Mandark bragged, kindly.
Emily nodded. "No, but she told me a lot of stories, today". Emily said. "Yes, she might have told you too many stories". "Bottom line is, she and I had quite a past together". "We went on trips, cruises, we went overseas for business a few times….we were close when we were married". "I remember telling different people that she was a real estate mogul, and we were buying a summer palace". "We both cracked up at that". Mandark said, gently. "Yes, she is a wonderful woman…..she and I had somewhat of a short, yet, happy marriage". "We were close for quite a while, the both of us". Mandark smiled, as he felt his face mask coming off. "That's nice". Emily replied.
"When I was a younger man, I remember playing the newlywed game with her on a cruise, and we won". "We each had 123 dollars…yet, we didn't need it". Mandark said, kindly. "That's nice". Emily said. "We had a fun time on our cruise….we each did some amazing things, she and I". "but we took a few cruises she and I". Mandark said, kindly. Emily nodded.
"Is it kind of bad that she cheated on you, though?". Emily asked. Mandark put his glasses back on. "We both made mistakes, as an equal part". "I've actually cheated on her a few times as well". "Here's a secret you can't tell anyone….not mom and dad, or Lalavava, anyone". Mandark whispered, kindly. Emily nodded.
"I've impregnated 7 other women besides her". "And those women I've never seen or spoken to, again"."4 other women I've had contact with, and have families with". "Please don't tell anyone….mom and dad will bury me, and if they find out I told you….they will really get me in trouble". Mandark begged, in a softened, gentle voice. Emily nodded. "I won't". Emily replied.
Emily nodded. "Ok". she replied. "Yes, I've made my share of mistakes….but that's all a piece of the past, as of now". "There's nothing else that'll resonate anywhere else". "We're different people now….no need to expand on that". Mandark said, kindly with gentle soothingness.
"Ok". Emily replied. Mandark smiled a gentle, kind, and soothing smile. "Yes, Femme and I have had some crazy times where we did some obstreperous things". Mandark said, gently with kind soothingness. Emily nodded. "But don't follow my example, now". "There's really no need to because the mistakes I've made are bits and pieces of the past now…no need to expand on either or". "I'm now just a simple man, who's decided not to marry again…or do anything arbitrary". Mandark said, kindly with gentleness. "Ok". Emily replied.
Emily growled a bit, as she stared an angry, unlikeable stare at the maid who was doing her face. "Get this off of me". Emily wanted to say to her….yet, she growled instead. She just looked on, while she kept growling. Mandark drank some of his lemon martini. "What's going on, coochie?". "You don't sound like yourself this evening". Mandark said, gently with kindness. Emily turned her head away, as she looked angry. "I'm fine". Emily replied.
"What happened, honey?". "You were in such a good mood earlier today before school". "Hmmm, I think I might know what it might be…..you haven't had your cannabis this morning". "I forgot to pick up your prescription yesterday….so this afternoon, you feel tired, exhausted, worn-out, and you're ready for bed, little one". "You need some dinner, and some medicine before bed, honey". Mandark said, kindly with soothing gentleness.
Emily continued to growl as she put her hands up. "Someone needs a nap…and her medicine". "Let's get some medicine, and we'll set up for a sleepytime". Mandark said, gently with soothingness. "Go away". Emily said, through her growl.
Mandark gave Emily some medicine, as he refilled her sippy cup. "Let's open up, honey". "It's time for medicine, little one". "There we go, we'll do this together….stay with the plan, and do everything we can to make it easy and fun". Mandark said, gently with a kind, loving, soothing voice. Emily growled a bit more. Mandark gave Emily her medicine in a medicine dropper. Like a syringe, dropper.
"Please open your mouth now". "It'll be easy….and we only have to do it once". Mandark said, kindly with loving, gentle, soothingness. Mandark came near Emily growled again, snapping at Mandark to bite his fingers, as she tried batting him away with her hands. "Emily…darling". Mandark said, soothingly with gentle, loving kindness. Mandark brushed Emily's face, gently with his fingers. "Let's try this again….open your mouth, and let's take medicine". "Please…?". "Please". Mandark said, in a soothing, gentle, loving, nurturing voice. Emily growled, as she sniffled, opening her mouth for medicine…while nipping at Mandark's finger. Much like a distressed child with a moderate learning disability.
"Was that nice, now?". Mandark asked, gently with kind soothingness. "No". Emily replied, as she sniffled, feeling a cry come on. "I'm sorry….I'm really sorry…I…I". Emily pleaded as she sniffled, while beginning to cry. "I'm sorry". Emily cried, as she buried her head in her hands.
"Shhh, it's ok, honey". "Everything is ok, now". "Don't be sad….I've got you…no need to be sad, or stressed now". "I've got you now, little one….come sit with me…I'll keep you safe". Mandark said, kindly with soothing gentleness. Mandark opened his arms for Emily to come into. Emily cried, putting her hands up in a distressed manner.
"It's ok, honey". "It's ok….come see me". "I'll keep you safe…I'm not going anywhere, honey". "I'm right beside you, coochie". "Come to me…come to daddy". "Come see me…I'll keep you safe". "It's ok…you can do it". Mandark said, gently with a softened, kind, loving, soothing voice. Mandark held a blanket open for Emily.
Emily cried, as she came to Mandark, while he wrapped her in a soft, gentle, soothing blanket. He provided some weight for Emily as well, while she cried. "It's ok…honey". "I've got you….there's no need for sadness". "We're quite alright, now". Mandark said, kindly with soothing, gentle softness. Emily nodded, as she snuggled deep into Mandark's arms. "You were struggling a bit this afternoon". "You didn't get your medicine in time….you seemed so tired, little one". Mandark said, gently with soothing kindness. Emily nodded.
Mandark smiled, kissing Emily's cheeks, lovingly. "You're tired, you're hungry, you're sad…you're beginning to self-soothe again, as well". "Sometimes, when you're anxious, or traumatized, you'll rock back and forth on your hands". "You haven't displayed that since you were an infant in Ukraine….something must be concerning you". Mandark said, kindly with soothing gentleness. "I don't know". Emily said, as she sniffled.
"Poor baby….it's ok, now". "I've got you". Mandark assured, gently with kind soothingness. "I know right now is a hard time". "But we'll get everything situated, I promise you". Mandark smiled, as he brushed Emily's cheeks.
Mandark kept Emily safe in his arms, as he kissed her cheeks, gently. There was someone at the door, while Mandark answered. It was Mandark's dad, Windbear. He was shirtless, with long hair the length of his neck, and a necklace decorated with a flower, as well as a peace sign. "Hey, I came to drop some this passport of yours…we were in a different city, and realized we were carrying yours…how foolish is that?". Windbear said, kindly as he chuckled. Mandark nodded.
"There's my baby girl…how is she?". "She looks simply beautiful". Windbear said, kindly with gentle, softened, soothingness. "She's very tired, very saddened, she's upset as of now". "She hasn't taken her medicine all day". Mandark whispered, as he comforted Emily…kissing both of her cheeks. "Hmm, has cannabis helped her with her mood, and appetite?". Windbear asked, gently with soothing, kind softness. "She's been eating, and sleeping much better". "She becomes agitated every once in a while now…not all of the time". "Today, she hasn't taken her medicine….and she became very agitated". "She has her moments….however, recently, she's been diagnosed with Autism….Pervasive Developmental Disorder". Mandark whispered.
"I heard about that". Windbear whispered. "Has she been prescribed some medication to ease her symptoms?".
"She has been prescribed a dosage of cannabis that's there for her to take orally every morning…of course, it's in liquid form…but it's there if she needs it". "She has been receiving therapy for her learning difference, and for her emotional support difference". "That's what it states on her education plan…she has an emotional disturbance that traces back to her time in Ukraine". "She's doing well in school….she never has meltdowns there…she's just been experiencing different things….that's all". "She does have moments of melancholy, and depression where she'll prefer to be by herself….and she becomes tearful….but she's ok most of the time". Mandark whispered. "Awww, does she have moments where she'll wake up during the night, and become tearful from a nightmare, or a bad dream?". Windbear asked, in a whisper.
"She has moments where she'll become agitated at night….she begins to cry, or talk to herself…and I'll usually calm her by reassuring her….I'll wrap her in a warm blanket, and we'll chat for a while". "She sometimes does become saddened, or scared at night….and it's then, she'll begin to cry, or self-soothe by rocking on her hands". Mandark whispered. "Awww, she's just in an honest, real, vulnerable, raw place right now". Windbear whispered. "She needs love, kindness, affection, and gentleness". "I feel like Gaia needs to bless our internationally adopted children". "Our littlest ones coming from orphanages overseas". "They have so much suffering they've endured….and so much wisdom that they've gained". "I love our children….and an internationally adopted child…Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, or whatever….they need our support". "They are the most humble and fortuitous of us all". Windbear whispered.
"They truly are". Mandark whispered. "I love children who bear the scars of us all". "They are the wisest". Mandark smiled.
Mandark comforted Emily, as she slept for a moment. "Honey….let's say hello to daddy". Mandark said, kindly with soothing, gentle softness. Emily looked up at Windbear, as he smiled a kind, gentle, soothing smile. "Hi, honey". "How are you?". "You look so beautiful…like a fairytale, or a dream". "Daddy is so proud of you, coochie". Windbear said, gently in a softened, gentle, soothing whisper, as he tickled Emily's cheeks. "Thank you". Emily replied. Windbear smiled a gentle, softened smile as he kissed both of Emily's cheeks. "You've been ok, sweetie?". Windbear asked, gently with kind soothingness. "Yeah". Emily replied.
"That's good". "You're doing so well now…you're sleeping well, you're eating well…you're getting along well with your older brother". "You make me so happy, and proud of you, coochie". Windbear said, kindly with gentle soothingness. "Thank you". Emily replied.
"How have you been feeling, recently?". "Have your feelings been positive?". "All good ones, I hope". Windbear asked, kindly with soothing softness and gentleness. "They're ok…kind of". Emily replied. "Kind of, huh?". "Why do you say "kind of"?". "Are there feelings you consider to be negative ones?". Windbear asked, gently with kind, softened, soothingness. "I don't know". Emily replied. "Honey…it's ok to share with me". "This is dad you're talking to…everything is ok". Windbear said, kindly with soothing, softened, gentle softness behind a loving voice. "Tell me the truth….is everything good?". Windbear asked, gently with soothing softness and kindness.
"Everything is ok…not great, but ok". Emily replied. "Just ok, huh?". "How come they're not great?". "Let's expand a little more on that…shall we?". Windbear said, gently with soothing kindness and softness. Emily nodded. "I'm kind of….I'm kind of trying to stay happy….but I don't know…..it's hard". Emily replied. Windbear nodded a gentle nod. "You've been through a lot in your day….really, you have". "You're just exhausted is all". "I know you are….you've been sleeping a lot….you've been down and out….you're doing so well now…but I understand sometimes, it's exhausting". "Huh, butterfly?". Windbear said, gently with soothing kindness. Windbear brushed Emily's cheeks, lightly.
"I am kind of tired…..I just want to go home to Pennsylvania". "That was where my mom and dad were". Emily said. "I understand, baby". "Well, along those lines…I have somewhat of a surprise for you….regarding Pennsylvania". Windbear said, kindly with gentle soothingness. "You do?". Emily asked.
"Yes, I have a surprise for you….it's very nice….and you'll love it". "It'll be here very soon". Windbear said, gently with soothing kindness. Emily nodded. "Thank you, daddy". Emily replied. Windbear tickled Emily's cheeks, gently and with kindness. "You know I love you so much, coochie". "You're my favorite….I love you beyond words". "You've given me everything, honey". Windbear said, gently with soothing kindness. Windbear smiled, as he kissed both of Emily's cheeks, lovingly. "You are someone very magical, and very divine….to me….and what I see in you, is someone quite beautiful". Windbear said, gently with a soothing, softened voice. He nuzzled Emily…as his face met hers. "You've given me everything, coochie". Windbear said, kindly with soothing softness. Emily nodded, as she wiped away some tears.
"Try to get some sleep for me, honey". "You'll have your favorite blankie, and your bunny rabbit beside you". "You'll do so well sleeping". "You love when bunny is in bed with you, huh?". Windbear said, gently with kind soothingness. Emily nodded. "Yeah". She replied.
Windbear smiled a kind, gentle, loving smile. "Just know that daddy will always be beside you wherever you go….and I'm only a stone's throw away". "Daddy loves you more than the moon makes her glow at night". Windbear said, soothingly with gentle softness. Emily nodded, as she hugged Windbear. He smiled, kissing Emily's cheeks, gently. "Time for bed now, honey". "Let's make our way into the big room". "Daddy will put you to bed". Windbear said, kindly with soothing, gentle softness. Emily nodded, as she felt more kisses on her cheeks. "Love you, darling". Windbear said, gently with soothing, kind softness. Windbear smiled, as he walked with Emily into her bedroom….this way, he could put her to bed in the proper way.
Mandark smiled, as he finished his facial….drinking, and sipping his wine. "She'll be ok". Mandark decided. He chuckled a bit as well…thrilled that Emily was getting the rest she needed…though the next day would be extraordinary in its own right.