Radically Happy

Continued from Hello, Trauma.

I am taking little Trauma outside to meet my puppy Tick, when I am stopped by a feminine voice.

Keeper: Who are you and what are you doing to my brother?!

I halt in my tracks.
Trauma tugs on my arm.
I bend down.
He whispers in my ear.

Trauma: [reverently, and perhaps fearfully] That’s my sister, Keeper.

I stand up and look.
Keeper is an intimidating 14-year old, with her mother’s fierce, intelligent eyes.
She’s staring at me suspiciously, with her hands on her hips.
I take a Moment.

Earnest: Hello, Keeper. My name is Earnest. I am an old friend of your parents; in fact, I introduced them to each other.

Keeper eyes me narrowly.

Keeper: If you’re such a good friend, how come I’ve never seen you before?

Earnest: [sighing] I was… away for a long time. I didn’t even realize you lived so close. Your mother is outside playing with my puppy. We were just going to see her.

Keeper glances out a window, presumably to confirm my story. She relaxes, but only slightly.

Keeper: Well, that’s a terrible idea. Trauma doesn’t like dogs.

I say nothing, but glance at the stuffed dog Trauma clings to tightly.
Keeper frowns, and for a moment I’m afraid she’ll take it away from him.
Instead she sighs and crosses her arms.

Keeper: Look, mister I’m sure you’re a nice guy and all, but I’m the only one who understands Trauma.

She bends down to look Trauma in the eye, smiling sweetly.

Keeper: I think you’ve had enough excitement for one day. Why don’t you give the nice man back his toy, and maybe he can bring it back some other day?

Trauma clearly wants to please her, but also doesn’t want to lose his toy. He looks up at me pleadingly.

Earnest: Um, perhaps we could ask his mother, Dialogue?

Keeper whirls on me angrily, her face transformed into a threatening mask.

Keeper: Don’t you dare bring her into this. I am his Protector. I am the only one who knows what’s best for him.

I step back, startled.
Trauma clings to me.

Keeper is dismayed. Instantly she shifts personas again, and crouches down near Trauma.

Keeper: Hey, Trauma. It’s just me, okay. I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to keep you safe.

I look at her.
I look at him.
I take a Moment.

Earnest: [clearing my throat] Uh, Keeper? May I ask you a question?

Keeper: [she stares at me suspiciously, but can’t think of a reason to refuse] What?

Earnest: Ah… how long have you been protecting Trauma?

She stands up, looking reflective. She starts speaking, almost to herself.

Keeper: Since he was born. His birth was… difficult. That’s how he got his name. Dad was busy taking care of Mom, so I was the one who took care of him.

She glares at me.

Keeper: And don’t tell me I’m too young! I’m as capable as any adult!

I hold up my hands in a gesture of surrender.

Earnest: Not at all. If anything, I admire you for your devotion.

She frowns, not sure if I’m mocking her.
I take another Moment, and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Just then, Dialogue enters leading Tick on a leash.

I sigh in relief.
Trauma looks up eagerly.
Keeper grows wary.
Dialogue grins.

Dialogue: I see you’ve all met.

Keeper starts to protest, but I cut her off.

Earnest: I didn’t realize you had such an amazing daughter. It was such an honor to meet her.

Keeper stares at me challengingly.

I sigh and sit on the floor.

Earnest: Keeper, it probably isn’t obvious, but your parents and I are… related. Your father and I… went through difficult times together. One of the most important things he taught me is that the difficult parts are usually the most valuable.

One of the most important things he taught me is that the difficult parts are usually the most valuable.

Earnest, of Resentment/Resilience

I look fondly at Trauma, who can’t take his eyes of Tick. I look at Dialogue, who nods. She releases Tick, who runs to Trauma and starts licking his face.

Keeper tenses up at this, but Dialogue lays a soft hand on her arm.

Trauma laughs and starts rolling on the floor with Tick.

Keeper… looks confused. Conflicted. Perhaps even abashed.

I smile.

Earnest: Keeper, you weren’t wrong to fear Tick. He was part of the trauma that birthed your brother, and your protection was necessary for him to survive.

I stand up, and somehow it seems like the air is full of light. Dialogue gasps.

Earnest: But a new day is dawning. The beast has been tamed. The orphan has found a home. You don’t have to be the grown-up anymore.

…a new day is dawning. The beast has been tamed. The orphan has found a home. You don’t have to be the grown-up anymore.

Earnest

Keeper stares at me with glistening eyes.

I nod, and look to Dialogue.
She reaches out gathers Keeper into a fierce embrace.
Keeper stiffens briefly, then suddenly crumples into tears.
Dialogue smiles and mouths “Thank you” to me.

I stand up, and look to where the boy and dog are sprawled, panting on the floor.
I whistle, and Tick obediently trots over.
I pick up his leash.

Trauma runs over and hugs my waist.
I tousle his hair affectionately.
I kneel down to pet Tick.
Trauma scoots over to cuddle Tick one last time.

A thought strikes me.
I look to Dialogue.

Earnest: Di, what is Trauma’s true name?

Dialogue smiles through gathering tears.

Dialogue: Affection. Trauma’s true name is “Affection.” We never got the chance to tell him…

Trauma’s true name is “Affection.”
We never got the chance to tell him…

Dialogue

Dialogue starts crying, and this time it is Keeper who holds her.

I tilt my head to look at them.

Earnest: And her original name?

To my surprise, it is Keeper who speaks first.

Keeper: [awe in her voice] I… remember. It was… [stumbling over the word] F.. Fr…

Dialogue: “Friendship”

Trauma — Affection — leaves the dog and runs to his sister, giving her a hug.

Affection: Friend!

Finit?

Continued with Hector