Chapter 11
That night…..there was quiet in the room..there was an element of low light….warm, gentle, kind, and loving light in Mandark's bedroom, as he held Emily in his arms. "Remember when mommy…..Lilac, used to call you her Chou Chou baby?". "Because you were so quiet, and calm when you would go to sleep at night…..you first came from Ukraine, and you were so young….you were just getting used to being in your new crib, in your new bedroom, and sometimes at night, you would cry and cry because you were scared". "You were just a baby then….my Chou Chou who was adopted, and needed extra time to adjust to the United States…..when mommy would hold you, rock you, cuddle you, kiss your cheeks, and nourish you…..you'd feel much better". "You were just a baby then…..come from Ukraine to have a better life". Mandark whispered, kindly with soothing gentleness. Emily nodded, as she drank from her sippy cup…..her oat milk while Mandark brushed her face, gently. "I love you, my Chou Chou….I love you very much". Mandark whispered, gently with kind soothingness. Mandark kissed Emily's cheeks, lovingly as she was wrapped in a blanket…..in Mandark's arms, while he wore an open robe…..holding Emily close to his bare chest…..he nuzzled Emily kindly….kissing her cheeks lovingly. Emily was in her full-body pajamas, she almost looked like a little toddler in her princess jammies. "I lo-ove you". "I lo-ove you". Mandark whispered in a kind, loving, gentle, and soothing voice. Mandark kissed Emily's cheeks, as her eyes closed…..and she drank from her sippy cup. "My chou chou…..don't be saddened now…..no need to be depressed". "I'm always beside you…..always…..and my love for you is forever". "I'm not going anywhere….I will not leave you because I am going to live forever". "I will always be beside you…my chou chou baby". "My beautiful, extraordinary, resilient, strong, wise, heroic, protective, responsible, kind, intelligent, Autistic, internationally adopted Chou Chou baby". "My greatest gift". Mandark whispered, kindly with soothing gentleness. Emily was sleeping now….as she sighed a deepened, emotional, pensive sigh while receiving kisses, and nuzzles from her older brother.
"My chou chou baby". Mandark whispered, in a soothing, gentle, calm, relaxed, kind, nourishing whisper, as he brushed little Emily's face, while her eyes were closed….like an infant or a toddler being nourished, and rocked to sleep by her older cousin. "My chou chou". Mandark whispered, in a nourishing, gentle, cuddly, softened, gentle whisper. He kissed Emily's cheeks, lovingly as he pressed the stuffed bunny's paw that Emily held.
A light, "thump, thump", "thump, thump" was heard from the stuffed toy. Birth mom's heartbeat was heard. Mandark wiped tears from his eyes, as he petted the toy's stomach. "I love petting her belly". "She is the strongest, wisest, smartest, most talented woman I know…..and she is Chou Chou baby's birth mom". Mandark whispered, kindly with soothingness. "Her belly feels soft….she feels like a furry belly…like a belly belly". Mandark's whispers became soft. "And I love her so much". Mandark whispered in a fragile, innocent, childlike whisper. He held Emily close as Emily was just an innocent, fragile, traumatized, poor little baby or toddler girl who was now being given a second chance at nourishment. Mandark soothed Emily in kindness and in gentleness, as she went to bed….she and Mandark…..as she stayed curled up in her blanket…..and stayed in the gentle safety of her older brother's arms. He was protecting her from anything. She stayed acclimated to him…..and they both slept soundly that night.
As previously mentioned, Emily was in school with kids 3 years older than she was….all thanks to a clerical error penned by Mandark. Mandark had Emily in the intermediate school with kids who were still 3 years ahead. What else was new? Though, she made friends, and was close with her classmates….she went out to the arcade with them, she ate pizza with them, and went to sleepovers, there was still a part of her that was young….still a young child who knew nothing about "Spin the bottle" or "7 minutes in heaven", or what puberty was. She didn't know anything about kissing, or boys….nothing about bras, or high heels….or even panties, or trying her first cigarette, or sip of spiked soda. She was friends with nerds….those who played video games, were good at math, those who did science projects, and had a chemistry set. She was friends with kids who got straight A's, and were in math club, and young Astronomer's club. Though even they….had their caveats every once in a while.
Samuel Darson…. (Circa "Time Warp Trio"), was a nerd by every stretch of the definition. He wore thick glasses, wore his polo shirts, and jeans, and studied each and every evening. In his aspect, he sought to protect Emily while she was amongst the older kids. He and Emily would always engage in intellectual conversations….and they usually sparkled with essence.
Today, as Emily wore her pajamas to school….looking very innocent, and fragile….she carried her schoolbooks, coming from the nurse's office where she received her medicine.
She looked for any sign of Joe, Sam or Fred….the 6th (almost 7th) graders who were her friends, and bodyguards, perchance while she was in a completely different school.
They were nowhere to be found. Emily carried her school bags, as she looked around. She kept searching to see if Sam was in his usual place by the lockers. Hmmmm…nowhere.
Behind the school, in the courtyards, Sam waited for Elizabeth. A dark-haired, African American, 6th grader who often sought for her first kiss.
"Hmmm…where is she?". Sam muttered, looking downwards at his watch. "It's almost time for class….she can't be late, can she?". "She's the Student Council president…..she almost shouldn't be late….especially if she has a spotless, perfect attendance record". "No absences, no tardies, no skipping class…..she's quite amazing that way". Sam chuckled, as he unbuttoned his shirt.
There she was…..Elizabeth Duncan…..Sam's friend who now wore magenta pink heels, and had her hair locked up in braids. She walked over to Sam….as Sam smiled. "Hey there, you". "My, you have changed since grade school". "Did you get your headgear removed?". "And what about your glasses….you don't wear those anymore?". Sam asked, as he chuckled. "I got rid of all that stuff". Elizabeth said, suavely with smoothness. "I'm off of that now…never thought I'd be this popular as captain of the chess team….but here, I did it". Elizabeth said, as she and Sam chuckled again. She and Sam inched much closer to one another.
"Wait a second…..did you unbutton your shirt….for me?". "For this kiss?". "You know, we could get in trouble for that". Elizabeth said, chuckling.
"Yes, we could…..indeed we could….however….". Sam whispered this as his voice lowered a bit. "I've always been a fan of breaking some rules…..rules were meant to be broken….because they mean nothing to me now…..regarding the logic of a first kiss". Sam whispered, as he and Elizabeth chuckled. They inched closer, and Liz put her hands on Sam's chest. "That sounds cool enough….and I'd be good with it, too". "Without further ado….let's get started…..are you ready?". Elizabeth asked, in a whisper as she and Sam came closer. "I'm about as ready as one could be". "Let the event commence". Sam whispered, romantically as he and Liz inched closer….closer, and closer…..and soon, their lips met…..their lips touched. Liz and Sam kissed….and they kissed for a long, long, long time. The kisses were poignant, melodious, gentle, and softened, innocent, and cadent, as they kissed for almost 2 minutes.
Emily found Sam outside, making out as Sam glanced at her. "Hey there, honey". "What's going on?". "I thought you'd be in class by now". Sam said, in a soothing, gentle, kind manner. Elizabeth smiled a soothing smile as well. "Hey, Emily….how are you?". "You look so beautiful, honey". Elizabeth chuckled, as she winked at Emily, while Emily nodded. "Thank you". Emily replied, plainly.
"Hey honey….did you have your medicine yet?". Sam asked, in a kind, soothing manner. "I did". Emily replied. "Let's go see if we can gather up our books, and go to class". Sam advised in a gentle, kind, and soothing manner. "What were you doing?". Emily asked, as she looked up at Sam, innocently.
"It was nothing, honey". "Nothing neither of us need to worry about now….let's go to class, and be ready to present our book reports that are due today". "Did you finish yours?". Sam asked, in a kind, nurturing manner. "I did". Emily replied. "That's always good….you finished yours, and there's nothing to worry about". "Do you need anything from your locker while we're here?". Sam asked, kindly with gentleness. "No". Emily replied. Sam nodded, as he helped Emily into the classroom. Emily was positioned with a neck pillow, a blanket, and a safety element.
Emily glanced at Sam, as he put his books in his desk. "You're like my big brother". Emily said, as she glanced up at Sam. Sam nodded a gentle nod. "I'm glad you think that way about me…I admire it a lot". Sam said, kindly with gentleness as he buttoned up his shirt. "You're a perfect person…which is really cool….you're like my hero". Emily said.
Sam nodded a kind nod. "Yes, I am perfect….keep telling yourself that". Sam said, kindly as he silently muttered the last part. Sam turned his attention to their first period teacher as he came in. Emily listened, and focused, as she tried to keep her energy towards competing with the older kids…..and she tried to keep her morale up….despite Mandark's error.
Douglas E. Mordecai sat behind her as he smiled a friendly smile, waving. "Did you have an easy time with that book report?". Douglas asked. "Yeah". Emily said. The kids turned their attention to the teacher….working diligently and copiously on schoolwork. Emily still wondered….what did Sam do that was not worth telling her about? And another thing…why was his shirt open? Emily could only wonder.
The teacher handed out a spelling test…..they didn't have weekly words, or a list. Emily sat comfortably, and concentrated on her test…spelling the words as they were read aloud. She concentrated on her work, finishing when the time was up.
Later on, after school had let out, Sam and a few of the robotics club members went to the pizza shop on the corner of the plaza right beside Southwest Middle school. It was essentially right there. Emily held her drinking cup in her hands, as she tried keeping up with the kids.
"Today, those book reports were pretty easy….weren't they?". "I thought they were the easiest". Sam said, as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Yes, I had no trouble writing mine….though, I never enjoy writing quite like I enjoy solving an equation or two". Douglas replied. "It was….subpar at best". Douglas waited for the pizza to come out.
"I tend to agree". Sam replied, as he yawned a bit. He glanced over at Emily as she sat, drinking her milk. "Are you angry with me today or what?". "What's going on, honey?". Sam asked, kindly as he glanced at Emily for a quick moment.
"It's not you I just…..I kind of wonder what you were doing earlier". "Were you kissing that girl?". Emily asked, innocently with some fragility to her voice. Sam licked his upper lip as he sighed a bit. "I'm about to let you in on one of my secrets…..and you can't tell anyone….right now". "It is imperative that you keep what happened a secret….because if someone such as my parents would find out, I would be in such trouble being that my family is full of shrewd academics". "Please….don't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you….". "Not even your older brother…Mandark". "This needs to remain a secret". Sam said, kindly. Sam looked around for a moment before answering.
"I was making out with, and kissing Elizabeth Duncan". "We've been kissing for a while now after school…and our friendly meetings have actually been quite…..romantic….not actually platonic anymore". "I've been meeting with her for a while now, and…..I feel romantically involved with her". Sam said, kindly in a gentle whisper. Emily nodded.
"Please though…try your hardest not to tell anyone…..you know how you have some secrets I've kept safe for you….well, this is a secret you need to keep safe for me". "Kissing could lead to many things…..things I've learned about in health class this year". "Please try your best, and your hardest to make this viable for both of us". Sam whispered, gently. Emily nodded. "I will". Emily replied. "I shouldn't be kissing girls…..I shouldn't be kissing anyone…..however, I did….and it's enough to make me want to do more". Sam whispered, kindly. "Mmmm, like see Elizabeth in her bra". Sam bit his maroon lips as he said this.
"Ok". Emily replied. "Thank you for keeping this a secret…..I knew I could trust you". "You are the coolest kid I've met…..and byfar, the smartest''. "Thank you for understanding". Sam whispered, gently, as Emily nodded, while eating her pizza. Sam looked away for a moment before giving Emily a kiss on her cheeks. "You are so amazing…..and don't forget that, chou chou". Sam whispered, kindly with gentle soothingness. He and Emily smiled, as they went back to their pizza. They each found a way….to keep the kiss a secret.
Back in class, Emily sat patiently as she paid attention to the lessons, she understood the material, and took in things with patience and grace.
Mr. Lusinsky read off a list of names for people, patiently. "What is that for, specifically?". Douglas Mordecai asked. "These are the people who qualified for this year's spelling bee….which will be held next week". "Those who qualified are…..Dexter Simions, Jules Francis, and Emily Astromonov". Mr. Lusinsky said, with a smile. Mr. Lusinsky somehow knew these kids were going to do well in the spelling bee. He somehow knew there was a chance they could compete with other 6th graders from different classes. "Your parents will be notified as soon as possible….in the meantime, I wish you the best of luck….you all have what it takes….and I know you'll be successful". Mr. Lusinsky said, smiling dutifully. Emily felt about all sorts of excitement towards the coming Bee. It was going to be a special occasion…..and she somehow knew…..if she passed the spelling test by skill, she would achieve greatness in competing for the Bee. Days came and went with fervency….they passed by indiscriminately without essence.
Chairs were lined up in the gymnasium for parents and other spectators. The bleachers were reserved for students, and their adjoined teachers, and faculty. The moderator….(also the enrichment teacher) Mr. Keinel sat at a long table and got the list of words ready…..and the bee participants….sat in chairs on either side, correlating with their grade level. Dexter sat beside Emily as they chatted for a moment. In the audience of parents, Mandark, as well as Lalavava, Windbear, and Oceanbird….as well as Le Quack, and another associate of Lalavava's tech company. Some of her officials flew in from around the world to see Emily compete in the bee.
When the noise had died down, the principal gave opening remarks…then, the enrichment teacher spoke. "We'd like to thank you for coming out today….these students have worked really hard to get to this point….it has taken weeks, and months of continuous spelling tests, and competition for them to accelerate to this level". "Thank you so much for your support, and without further ado….let the event commence". Mr. Keinel said, as he sat at the moderator's table, and the competition began.
The 5th graders spelled their words, they made their worth pronouncing the words, asking for roots and origins….however, sadly only one remained. Then, came Emily to begin for the 6th graders. She technically wasn't in 6th grade, but she still needed to operate on their level in order to compete.
"The word is Apprentice". Mr. Keinel said. "Apprentice, A-P-P-R-E-N-T-I-C-E". Emily spelled. "Apprentice". Emily replied, as Mr. Keinel raised his eyebrow. "That is correct". He said, with an exuding confidence in his smile. The students on both sides cheered.
Down the line of 6th graders Mr. Keinel went….and the 15 that were there, whittled down to 8…then 7, then 6, until they reached 4 more. Emily spelled each word correctly….even as the words got harder.
Soon, it was between Emily and Dexter….their feet spread between them, as Dexter came to the microphone. There were no more 5th graders left.
"Placebo". Mr. Keinel announced from the moderator's table. It was a word not even Dexter had heard before. "Placebo….P-L-A-CI-E-B-O". "Placebo". Dexter spelled, as he knew he got the word wrong. Mr. Keinel shook his head, although he knew it was a hard word.
It was Emily's turn to spell the missing word, as the thunderous cheers from the bleachers, and from the parents got way louder with every word Emily spelled correctly. Everyone cheered, yelling her name, supporting her, as the students waited on the edge of their seats to see if Emily would spell the impossible word.
"Placebo…". Emily began as she took a deep breath…sucking in air. Mandark even bit his fingers. "This was a word we hadn't studied, or even heard before on the list…..oh no, I hope she gets it". "She's never heard this word before…..they can't do this to her". "She's in a tight spot". Mandark mumbled, as he waited on the edge of his seat. It had all come down to this.
"Placebo…P-L-A-C-E-B-O". "Placebo". Emily spelled, as she waited with sweaty palms and nervousness. Mr. Keinel breathed a sigh of relief, and had a large grin on his face…..he felt the excitement pouring from him as he knew what was coming next. Cheers from the bleachers, and from the parents that were louder than the sonic boom that came after a rocket launch. He awaited it….knowing the fate, as the words, "That is correct" poured from his tongue.
"YAY!". YEAH!". "YEAH!". "RAR!". Were the cheers that poured from both sets of bleachers on both sides of the gymnasium. The kids stomped their feet, screamed, yelled, and cheered madder than drunk football or hockey fans on Stanley Cup, or Super Bowl day. They cheered, as they all chanted a rowdy chant that grew in capacity with each student from each grade level. "SING, SING, SING!". The students chanted, as they cheered, laughing, smiling, and screaming….elated with excitement that a 9 year old girl won the spelling bee.
"That's right, it's time to party". Emily said, as the crowd erupted into laughter. Emily took the microphone, performing, as she sang one of her songs.
"Blackbird singing in the dead of night…"
"Take these broken wings and learn to fly…."
"All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arrive".
"Blackbird singing in the acorn tree…"
"Take these sunken eyes, and learn to see"
"All your life…you were only waiting for this moment to be free"
"Black-bird, fly"
"Black-bird, fly"
"Into the light of a dark black night".
"You were only waiting for this moment to arrive"
"You were only waiting for this moment to arrive"
"You were waiting…..for this moment to ar-rive".
Emily finished up her song….sung with such grace, such melodious gentleness, such tenacity, and a beautiful cadence, as she put the microphone aside. She smiled, as the crowd erupted into a loud, thunderous, sonic boom of a cheer. For a moment, she felt truly important….she felt as if she was queen of the world…..she felt as if she was the leader of the school….and everyone….every student admired her colloquially. She smiled, as she felt shy for a moment. The clapping and cheering went on, only to quit when the enrichment teacher came to see her.
"Yes, a moment in history has been made". "The youngest person in our school…in our class, has made history by winning the spelling bee on a discordant word". "A word some of us officials haven't recognized as an intermediate level word, before". "She truly is the most extraordinary young woman ever…..may I introduce, Emily Astronomonov". Mr. Kleinel said, as the others cheered again.
In the midst of after the event, pictures were taken…Emily stood, as newspaper photographers, officials, Dignitaries, and Academic journalists took her picture. She held up her awards certificate, as she smiled for the pictures. She shook hands with many dignitaries, she met with different people, she was in a good place. She truly did feel important.
Dexter had his picture taken as well. They stood, hand in hand, as they got their photos taken. Emily smiled, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with all of the attention, yet she milked it…being a famous person for now.
When the event ended, Mandark greeted Emily hugging her. "Sweetheart….darling". Mandark said, kindly with a gentleness as he wiped away tears. "That was a tough word…..I didn't think you would get it…but you got it…..and I am beyond proud….you truly are an amazing person…..I am so proud of you….I am so excited for you…thank you". "You truly and genuinely can do anything you put your mind to". "The sky is the limit for you…..I am so happy for you…and I love you so much". Mandark squeezed Emily tightly, as he pulled her into a hug. Emily smiled, as she accepted the hug.
"Thank you". Emily replied, as she hugged Mandark. "Beautiful job, darling". "You are an amazing young woman….you've done a beautiful job being with these bigger kids". "You are like a comet…..an extraordinary celestial object that comes every few millennia to change the world….and you have". Oceanbird said, kindly with gentle soothingness as she and Windbear kissed Emily's cheeks. "Thank you". Emily replied. "That was so amazing, honey". "Congratulations". "You are an amazing baby girl". Lalavava said, kindly as she hugged Emily kindly. "Thank you". Emily replied. "Well, school isn't out for another few hours, so we'll see you at home". "We love you". Lalavava said, kindly. Emily nodded, as she hugged her family, getting a few more pictures taken, before heading upstairs to see her classmates.
The classmates greeted her with a special cheer, and a happy giggle, as she was lifted up on their shoulders. She felt amazing that day as she visited Mr. Lusinsky. "Excellent job today, honey". "You are quite extraordinary…..there truly is no one out there as skilled, as masterful, and as poised as you". "Excellent job….I'm very happy for you". Mr. Lusinsky said, as the day wound down to a close, and he was by himself at his desk. "Thank you". Emily replied. Emily looked back, as she walked out with some classmates…to go to several parties, and to celebrate with her family later as well. It truly was an amazing day.