Chapter 14
Mandark smiled a kind, gentle smile one morning….even as the sky seemed gray, and desolate. He looked out of the window, sighing a bit. "It's a nice day to do absolutely nothing….nothing at all". Mandark muttered, gently as he folded his clothes in the bedroom. He put his ties away in the tie closet. Mandark coughed a smoker's cough, looking around the small bedroom. He reached down, kissing Emily as she slept, soundly. Mandark brushed little Emily's face, as he looked around the room. The sky looked much darker than usual outside. Mandark looked down at young Emily, as she still seemed to be sleeping soundly. "Darling….". Mandark whispered, soothingly with a softened, gentle tone. Emily looked upwards, with a sad face. "Yes?". She asked.
"Let's wake up and get some breakfast, and take medicine". "Then, we'll lay back down, and get some sleep". Mandark promised in a soothing, softened, gentle voice. Emily nodded, as she lifted up her hands for Mandark to pick her up in his arms. "Let's have some breakfast now, sweet girl". Mandark whispered, soothingly with gentle kindness. He sighed…..knowing that today would be a hard day.
Today was the anniversary of the plane crash that took Emily's adoptive parents….Lilac and Wendell. Emily sat up, as she sipped her sippy cup. "I understand today is a difficult day…I know it's very sad, honey". "You've been doing so well, though….working well with me, following directions, focusing and listening, being positive, paying attention to detail, being fully engaged, you're doing so well…..and I am always proud of you, my sweet baby best friend…..my lovely girl". Mandark said, in a softened, soothing, silky, loving, nourishing voice as fabric rustled nearby. "I know I'm a little different than mommy and daddy were…..I might be someone different…..but I love you unconditionally…..and I idolize you, and need you in the same way mommy and daddy needed you…..and just like them, I'm hoping to strengthen you, and give you so much that you need in order to be your best self". "I want to teach you and nourish you so one day, you'll be a big success, and change the world….because you already have….and I am very sure, and I know for a fact that your mommy and daddy are as proud of you as I am….and we're very proud of the excellent young lady you've become…you are a beautiful person…..and one day, you'll change the world". Mandark whispered, in a soothing, gentle, kind, nourishing, softened, relaxed, therapeutic manner. It was like a dad talking to his daughter, or an older brother talking to his baby sister.
"Thank you". Emily replied, as she sucked on her sippy cup. Mandark kissed both of Emily's cheeks, gently. "I love you so much, my sweet girl…my baby best friend…..my darling love". Mandark whispered, in a kind, gentle, soothing, softened, loving manner. "And I love you too". Emily replied. Mandark smiled a kind smile, opening his arms for Emily to come into. "You know I'm always going to be here for you…..always". Mandark whispered, gently with kind soothingness and softness. "I know". Emily said. Mandark smiled a kind smile, kissing Emily's cheeks, lovingly. "Can I have a kiss?". Mandark asked in a soothing, softened, gentle, kind whisper. Emily nodded, as she gave Mandark a kiss on the cheeks. "Thank you, sweet girl". Mandark whispered, soothingly with gentleness. Emily nodded. "Thank you too, Mandark". Emily said. Mandark smiled, as he picked Emily up in his arms, carrying her outside….where they got her medicine, and ate some breakfast.
Mandark smiled a kind smile, as he helped Emily lay down for a bit…..tucking her into bed. He kissed her cheeks, soothingly, as he got into bed beside her…where he slept, and got through the tumultuous day of the dreaded anniversary. He pulled Emily close…protecting her, keeping her safe, and keeping her sound from any nightmares. There were none to behold, luckily. But in all essences, Mandark kept her safe…he kept her comforted, loved, nourished, and stimulated as the clouds rolled in, and young Emily looked very similar to a small kitten, or a bunny rabbit who needed shelter, milk, nourishment, and love. Mandark smiled, as he kept Emily safe…knowing she'd be in better hands.
Mandark smiled one afternoon, as he sat in the computer room doing some paperwork. His glasses were down to his nose, as he focused on the paperwork in front of him. He studied it copiously, as he looked downwards at the stacks of papers. "Ok then….alright…..mm hmm, good, I see". Mandark mumbled, as he looked over various equations, and formulae. "Ah, so X sub B 4, is a postulate…..that going into Graphene sheet 5…..sub alpha B…hmm, I see where this is going". "B sub alpha 23, coincides with Graphene sheet 6, and doubles as a twin prime". "Ah, now it makes sense". Mandark studied, as he wrote some numbers down on the sheet….then, entered them into his supercomputer. "Hmmm, I had that correct…..it just took some extra time…..no more than necessary". Mandark mumbled to himself, as he wrote down more formulae. Emily came inside, as she looked around for a moment. "Are you doing a math problem?". Emily asked, as she looked up at Mandark. "In fact I am". "It's a leisure problem more than anything…..I thought of it while I was napping…..it's pretty elegant mathematics, isn't it?". "The way the twin primes just balance each other out…..it's a really magnificent equation….it has all of the postulates, all of the balanced numbers, and orbitals….tee hee, I've never been this excited for my own theorem to test out". "I'm so happy". Mandark giggled excitedly, as he looked down at his problems. Emily nodded.
"I know it might seem a bit nerdy…..but I like different problems such as". "Proofs and theorems are my forte, per say". Mandark said, gently. Mandark coughed a smoker's cough, as he looked around for a moment. "Let's see how the next one pans out, darling". "Hmm, would you like to help me solve these equations?". "I've taught you atomic spectroscopy before…you know how to solve some of these theorems". "I have a pen, and a pad of paper right here". Mandark invited, warmly. "I would like to…..but mom and dad are taking me out for a while". Emily said. "I'm going out for a day with mom and dad".
Mandark nodded a gentle nod. "That'll be nice…..are you sure it's not more fun than equations?". "I like doing plenty of these". Mandark said, kindly with warmth. "The equations are a lot of fun…..and I really would like to do it…but I promised mom and dad I'd go out with them". Emily said.
"That sounds nice enough…and we'll do these another time". "I promise you, we'll set some time aside for doing proofs". "I love it when we do those together". Mandark said, warmly with a hearty, softened, sappy smile. "But have a beautiful time with mom and dad". Mandark smiled, as he kissed Emily's cheeks warmly. "Thank you". Emily replied.
Mandark smiled a warm, gentle, kind, loving smile, as he waved, while Emily escaped with Windbear and Oceanbird. Windbear smiled a gentle smile, as he sat on the passenger's side. "Hey, coochie". "It's so good to see you…how've you been?". Windbear asked, in a soothing, softened, gentle manner. "I've been pretty good". Emily said. "Hey, that's good, honey". "We can always use that in terms of anything". Windbear said, kindly with soothing gentleness. He smiled a warm smile. "So, today I thought we could go down to our favorite spring, and waterfall, and have a picnic lunch". "Does that sound like fun?". Windbear asked, in a kind, soothing, gentle, softened voice. "And if we stay overnight, we can pitch a tent, and ride the river in the morning….sound like a fun plan?". Windbear asked, soothingly with gentle, softened, kind, loving gentleness. Emily nodded. "It sounds like a lot of fun". Emily said.
Oceanbird smiled a gentle smile. "And we'll have your favorite lunch…peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, with a touch of sunflower honey, as well as some lemonade". Oceanbird said, gently with soothing softness and kindness. "I'm so excited, and we're just now getting on the road". Oceanbird squealed a delighted squeal. Oceanbird smiled as she drove the hippie van onto the main drag. They were in their hippie Volkswagen van.
They got out on the main drag, as Windbear smiled a kind smile. "No traffic today…what a breeze….we were expecting something like that in late April…..huh, coochie….huh, baby?". Windbear said, kindly with gentle soothingness as he smiled, laying his head on the seat, as he winked at Emily, giving her a warm, cozy, clever, charismatic smile. "Mmmm, yeah, coochie….we both know daddy likes it like that…daddy loves when there's no traffic anywhere". "Yeah, you know what daddy likes, huh, baby?". Windbear said, warmly with cozy, charismatic soothingness. Emily nodded, as she glanced up at Windbear's sultry comment. "That's because we always complain about how many RPMS of gas people are using". "It'd be way cleaner to use French Fry oil". Emily said.
"It would we…..but unfortunately, the EPA doesn't pass measures colloquially". Windbear and Emily said, simultaneously. He and Emily shared a laugh. Windbear glanced back at Emily, as he sighed a peaceful sigh. "I miss you so much, honey". "We haven't talked in so long…..I think about you all of the time, and I wonder….where's my baby girl?". "I need her so much". "I just miss you so much….I need to spend more time with you…..you're always so busy with your brother, we never get time together anymore". "Besides, you still might need some alone time, which is cool". Windbear said, in a soothing, softened, gentle, kind voice. "I miss my honey, my best friend, and my spirit guardian….my sidekick, I sometimes wonder about your emotional well-being…..if you're finding peace and happiness". Windbear said, soothingly with gentle kindness. "You doing good, everything alright?". Windbear smiled a kind, loving smile, as he saw Emily.
"Everything is ok". Emily replied. "I did well in the spelling bee, I got 2nd place for districts, but lost in the first round of regionals….other than that, everything is good". Emily looked around for a moment, playing with a piece of her one piece bathing suit.
"That's beautiful, coochie". "Even if you didn't win in regionals, you made it that far….and we're really proud of you…..you're so smart, and well-oriented…..everyone would be proud of the progress you made". "You've made excellent progress….and you've come such a long way from where you were at the beginning when you first came to us….when you first came to us, you couldn't even make eye contact with anybody, or say hello to anybody". "You were so traumatized…..it wasn't looking like you were going to develop any further than more treatment…..because, you regressed so much, due to the trauma it had on you". Windbear said, soothingly with a much more softened, gentler, much more charismatic tone.
"I kind of remember". Emily replied. "I kind of…..I thought I was going to have to go to a special school, or be on disability….which I don't want".
"You won't go on disability, honey". "You're a smart, independent, wise, heroic, and selfless person who has changed the world for the better". "There's no way you'll go on disability, or have any kind of special needs…you aren't disabled, honey". "You're nowhere near disabled, or special needs, you're in fact, gifted, I would say….and your natural gift doesn't make you disabled….it makes you unique". "I understand, I'm aware that children from overseas have some delays because of what they experienced…but that's only because they were hurt beyond repair, or they weren't given the resources they needed at the time of toddlerhood". "It's really sad, in its essence, but you're not like that…..you're much more capable than that….if anything, you're a gift to the world….you're just like your older brother…..smart, nerdy, motivated, driven, and wise….very responsible". "Please don't let yourself down based on a false belief….it's not true…you're very smart…and one day, you'll do excellent things…I know you will because you have, and I've seen you…please don't be sad about who you are, or who you were in the past…you've grown tremendously….and I've seen you…..you're so holy, wise, and pure". Windbear explained in a gentle, soothing, softened, kind, loving, wise, charismatic, relaxed voice. "Thank you…dad". Emily replied.
Windbear smiled a kind smile, as he looked on with a candid, and emotional stare. Windbear looked as if he was about to cry.
"Honey….that was the most beautiful thing I've experienced all day…..you calling me dad". "You've never called me that before….before, it was always Windbear, or Cookie….or sugarbear, but you now called me dad…..I feel so happy that you did". Windbear said, gently with soothing softness. "You think of me as your dad, now?". Windbear wiped a tear from his eyes.
"Yes". Emily replied. "You're my daddy that lives close…..my other daddy is the one I had when I was a toddler, and he is my daddy that's far away…..I have 2 daddies….I have 2 families, one that's on Earth, and one that's in heaven". Emily looked up at Windbear.
Windbear smiled a gentle, charismatic, soothing, warm smile. "That's beautiful, Emily, baby". "We love you too, with all of our hearts…..and while we know we might be a different group of people, we love you just as much as your late family did…..and we'll always be here for you….wherever you decide to go…..wherever your journeys take you". Windbear said, soothingly with gentle, softened, kind charisma.
"Thanks, dad". "I'll be here, too". Emily said, as she looked up at Windbear as he adjusted his glasses. "You're so amazing, kiddo". Windbear said, gently with a soothing, kind softness. Emily nodded, as she smiled, while Windbear blew her a kiss. "Did you get it?". Windbear asked, kindly with soothing softness and gentleness. "I got it". Emily replied, as she and Windbear smiled.
The spring was up ahead, as Oceanbird smiled at Emily gently and with wisdom. "Are you ready for the big spring?". "It's really cool up ahead, huh?". Oceanbird said, gently with kindness. Emily nodded. Oceanbird smiled a kind smile, parking the car.
They got out, as Windbear smiled, dipping into the spring water with the waterfall. "This is cool, mmmmmm, yeah, I love this waterfall…mmmm, yeah, just soaking under it is nice and refreshing". Windbear said, kindly with soothing, gentle softness. "Mmmm, come see it with me, Emily, coochie". "Come see me, my guardian spirit". "Come give daddy some lovin". Windbear said, soothingly with gentle, kind softness. Windbear chuckled a bit.
Emily swam over to the waterfall, as she saw Windbear….while he scooped her up in his arms, tickling her, gently. They both laughed, as Emily didn't mind being tickled by Windbear. "Mommy's coming in as well". Oceanbird said, soothingly as she began tickling Emily as well.
The 3 of them laughed, as they tickled one another feeling the essence of family, friendship, and a special, gentle bond that transcended time. Emily felt new again…re-energized, and reborn, as she participated in the games that they played. Windbear smiled, as he scooped Emily up in his arms, holding her close to his bare chest. Oceanbird smiled a kind smile. "Let's get a picture of you and dad really quickly". Oceanbird said, kindly with soothing softness. Oceanbird took the picture of Windbear holding Emily in his arms. They laughed, playing in the spring…..until Mandark arrived, and observed from a distance, until he and Emily were alone.
Mandark mainly kept to himself at that moment…..he stayed out of the water, as his scrawny chest was seen. Mandark saw Emily…..sitting by a water bank, as she glanced up at him, her fingers well in her mouth.
Mandark smiled a kind, loving, nourishing, and supportive smile, as his vocal register seemed even more soothing, sexual, lower, sexier, and much more airy, light, and sultry….his vocal register seemed much raspier, and much more crisp, and dry…..much like a deep throated, mechanical, robotic voice on a GPS system. He had a vocal register that was mainly used in bed, when he was married to Femme…..or, in his corporate manner, when he was in the bedroom, having sex with his mistresses…or strippers. It was a register Emily never heard before.
"Emily…darling, Is that you I see?". "You look absolutely marvelous…absolutely pure, and sagacious my special girl…my champion…..my beautiful, extraordinary, lovely, divine, wonderful, amazing baby girl…I believe so much in you, and I believe that one day you will grow to influence, and inspire the world…..you already have". "Rest assured that our secrets are safe with us…and that no one will separate us…til death do us part…we shall always be there for one another….I know you will one day change the world…..you indeed have, and you've given me everything…..my sweet, lovely, darling baby girl". "I shall always be beside you…because I love you most". Mandark said, in this lower register, sexy, raspy, light, airy, sultry, foreign voice that Emily never heard. "Emily darling….I want you to follow my every instructive as it is given". "Take your…right hand, and place it on your…..right shoulder". Mandark instructed in the sexual, raspy, light, airy, sultry, foreign voice. Emily did as she was told. "Very good". Mandark complimented.
"Now…..take your…..left hand, and place it on your…..left shoulder". Mandark instructed in the sexual, lower register, sultry, raspy, foreign voice. Emily did as she was told, and followed the direction perfectly. "Very good, darling….I knew you could do it….you are so smart, and so accomplished…I knew you could do anything…my beautiful, sweet, lovely, amazing, extraordinary girl". Mandark complimented in the lower register of voice. "I love you….and I will always love you….my extraordinary girl". Mandark said, in this lower register of voice. Mandark smiled a suave, clever, charismatic, seductive, sexual smile. Emily looked around, as the family gathered near her. They all smiled, as they cheered Emily on. Oceanbird smiled, blowing Emily a kiss.
In school, Emily concentrated on her work, focusing, and writing out all of her answers. Ms. Wimple was a kind teacher, the history teacher who's hair was in a bun, her thick lips were painted with lipstick, and her eyeshadow was focused behind her eyelids. "Darling, Emily". Ms. Wimple said, with soothing gentleness, and kindness. Emily glanced up at Ms. Wimple, as Ms. Wimple smiled. "Yes?". Emily asked, as she glanced up at her teacher. "I am so pleased to inform you, that you've been selected for the young Aria Musician's program at Yale University". "We've been trying for it for a long time…and now, you've been selected…..I am so beyond proud of you". "You've worked very hard for it….and now you have it…my lovely, amazing, beautiful, wonderful, best student". "I am beyond proud of the young woman you've become, and how much you've matured….you are an excellent singer, and an excellent student as well…here you go, my sweet girl". Ms. Wimple said, kindly with a soothing, gentle, loving softness as she handed Emily the invitation envelope. "Thank you". Emily replied, as she hugged Ms. Wimple, while Ms. Wimple smiled a soothing, softened, gentle, sappy smile…..kissing Emily's forehead, gently. "I knew you could do it, my sweet girl". "I've always known you could do it….you are certainly not only Mr. Luzinski, or Mr. Conrad, or Mrs. Lionel's favorite, or even Mrs. Curwin's favorite…..you're also mine". Ms. Wimple whispered, in a soothing, gentle, softened, kind, loving, charismatic whisper. Ms. Wimple smiled, as she patted Emily's cheeks, gently, ruffling her hair. "Good luck in Ohio at Yale…..you were destined for greatness…I know you are". Ms. Wimple said, soothingly with gentle kindness and softness.
"Thank you, Ms. Wimple". Emily replied, as she smiled, going back to her seat, as the other kids oooo'ed and ahhhh'ed. The kids smiled, as Lee Lee wrapped her arms around Emily, hugging her from behind. "You were destined for Yale, pretty girl…and one day, you'll sing for the President or something…I always believe you can, and I know you will". Lee Lee said, gently with a playful friendliness about her…all as she hugged Emily. Emily smiled, as she enjoyed Lee Lee's hug. Sam smiled as he waved at Emily in a friendly, gentle wave. "Very good, nicely done, Emily". "I know you'll do great things". Sam said, kindly. Emily nodded, as she enjoyed the attention. She smiled, as she focused on her work….treasuring her invitation envelope.
Mandark took a look at the envelope Emily brought home, detailing her invitation to Yale University's music program. "I'm very proud of you, honey". "You didn't even have to rely on hard work, or extra time to get in…your musical talent was enough to give you a fine shake". "I'm very proud of you….beyond words….I know you'll do excellent things, Em". "Amazing job…..and if I'm being true….you've come a long way from where you were…..you've come such a long way…..and I am so proud of the fine young lady you've become…..you are quite amazing…..and I'm always proud of the strides you've made…..that we've made…..much gratitude goes to you….I'm so proud". Mandark said, soothingly with gentle kindness. "Should we call mom and dad….and Lalavava to celebrate?". Mandark asked gently with soothingness. "We can…..and can we go out to celebrate?". Emily asked. Mandark smiled a soothing, softened, gentle, kind, and loving smile. "We definitely can". Mandark said, gently…and that is indeed what they did.
The day finally came for Emily to leave for Yale University. Mandark drove Emily to the airport, as he glanced outside at the oncoming traffic. He smiled a confident smile…..though, it was a sad glance, as he kept his tears inside. "Well, here we go, honey". "This is finally it…..you're going away for a while…and I'm going to be here…missing you beyond words". "We'll get together for holidays…..like Christmas, New Year's, Thanksgiving, and other holidays". "But other than that…I won't see you". Mandark said, gently with a friendly, hopeful, kind tonality to his voice. Mandark fought back tears, as the August sun, and the 90 degree heat burned hot….signifying the end of Summer, and the very, very beginning of a successful school year.
"I might not see you either…but it was very nice spending the year with you…..we've both grown a lot…and it was an amazing time". "I'll see you around Thanksgiving….and I'll call you every night after school". Emily said. Mandark smiled a gentle, loving, kind, soothing, softened, poignant smile. "Please call me when you can…I'll be waiting for your call". "It means so much to me when you do call….it means the world to me….and I love it a lot". Mandark said, soothingly with gentle kindness, and soothingness. Emily nodded. "I definitely will". Emily said, as Mandark parked in the drop-off lane for the airport.
"This is it….I want to say, Thank you for an amazing year, an amazing time, and I'll see you when you come back". "We'll always be close….always, and a part of me will always belong to you". Mandark said, in a kind, gentle, loving, and soothing voice. Emily nodded. "You too, Mandark". Emily said. "See you on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and after the school year". "Next year". Emily smiled, as she got out of the car…hugging Mandark, in a gentle, comforting manner. They both knew they were going to improve themselves…and that they had come a long way. "...see you next year, darling". Mandark said, in a soothing, softened, gentle, kind, and loving voice. "I love you so much, Emily". "I love you". Mandark said, kindly. "I love you so much too, Mandark". Emily said. "Good luck with everything, Emily". Mandark said, gently. "Good luck with everything too, Mandark". Emily said. "Thank you for everything, Emily". Mandark said, gently. "Thank you for everything too, Mandark". Emily said.
They exchanged a long, long, long, long, long, long, long hug. Emily smiled, as she hugged Mandark, looking outwards in the distance….knowing she was destined for great things….and that this story of hers, and Mandark's, ended with her being successful. Emily hugged Mandark, as he gazed into her eyes, seeing the wise young woman that was inside. "Goodbye, Emily". "Goodbye, and I'll see you very soon…have a fun time, and call me soon…goodbye now". Mandark said, gently with kindness. Emily found herself choking on tears, as she looked around. She wiped them away….both of them hid the fact that they were crying.
"Goodbye, Mandark". "I'll see you soon, I'll call you when I get there….have a fun time at home…and we'll see you later, have a great year…love you, and…Goodbye". Emily said. Mandark nodded a gentle nod. "Goodbye Emily". "Goodbye". Mandark said, gently with kindness, as he kissed Emily's cheeks and forehead, and hugged her one more time before she went to check in for her flight.
"Goodbye, Mandark". "Goodbye, bye, bye". Emily said. Mandark smiled a kind, loving, and gentle smile. "Goodbye, Emily". "Goodbye, bye, bye". Mandark said, kindly. "Bye". "bye".
"Goodbye, bye, bye". Emily said, as she went through the double doors, greeting the airport attendant, (attendants helped little kids through the airport if they're under the age of 16), and Emily walked away…not looking back at Mandark. Mandark waved one last time before he got into his car, and drove home. As the day wound to an end, Mandark reflected on the year he had with Emily, the growth they both experienced, and the amount of time they had nourished one another. Mandark felt sad…but in the end, Mandark knew she was growing up…..she was now even ahead of kids her age….and she had come a long way from being adopted from Ukraine…and being developmentally behind.
Mandark knew that half of the journey had been together, but the other half, Emily was on her own…she had experienced much growth. Mandark smiled, as he made his way home….confident in Emily's abilities, and confident in the future. He knew Em would be great one day….he just knew. And he would know forever….and always.