Victor Dark. Blaine Sims

Orange exposure. Father-figures are scarce in Victor’s life. The bar shuts with the passing of John and Mary.

      There is a saying, “No good deed goes unpunished.” One can’t imagine the number of people subjugated to the expression. Those who give their all from the goodness of their heart not expecting unrequitance, a slap in the face, or to get crapped on. Oh, to experience the unvarnished love of a cat or dog, the touch of an appreciative and uncontrolling woman; read the eyes and weep.

      Chapter Seven

      In his third decade, Victor becomes crazed with the ‘Car Wash’ song. For an unknown reason, it sticks in his mind like silly melodies do, and loops over and over. His jaw clenches when the tune starts. He faces challenging events. His life, already topsy-turvy, turns more calamitous. “Mex,” his beloved Chihuahua, passes away. His younger brother is committed to a psychiatric hospital for psychotic episodes. After the heartrending suicide of Andrei, he relies on his friend Lamar to take him shopping for necessities. A stop at a traffic light intersecting a busy thoroughfare results in a rear-end impact by a delivery truck. Lamar’s car is totaled. Victor sustains severe whiplash. It dogs him for years. What else can go wrong in his young existence?

      Victor’s future wife’s name is Fontaine. A frank woman, she’s one-hundred percent human. Fontaine is brash and wild. As an only child, she is sheltered in a world of splendor. Her parents, pets, and Nanny, Ms. Goodhands, are the loves of her life. From the time she started speaking until about eight, Fontaine had trouble pronouncing, “Goodhands”. For the love of Christ, no one could figure how she came to choose the nickname, “Pots”. Inquiries to her were met with the reply, “I don’t know.” She was born and raised along the eastern Georgia shore; her family moved to the western part of the state when she was four.

      Her parent's time and efforts devoted to their jobs, it falls on Ms. Goodhands to raise and instill in Fontaine certain skills and traits her parents don’t have time for. Raised in a large impoverished family in rural Kentucky, she learned out of necessity how to survive. She knows how to fish, hunt, find shelter, and endure the most damning conditions. Intelligent and street-wise, she makes sure these aptitudes are passed to her charge.

      Fontaine's Nanny

      The fact they only live three blocks from Victor’s family, yet never knew each other, is amazing.

      Her favorite maternal aunt passes away from cancer when the girl is five. It has a profound effect and guides her aggressive fund-raising goals as an adult to eradicate the disease. She donates thousands of dollars each year towards finding a cure and raises millions.

      She is far from being a Tom Boy yet never enjoyed playing with dolls. Her dogs and cats are her children and she excels at being a good mommy to them. If allowed, she would take in every stray. Large decorative dollhouses are spread throughout the house. They are big enough to accommodate her four-legged babies. The only discomfort and emotional distress suffered as a child is the passing of her aunt and the death of her “kids.” Each time, an elaborate ceremony is held to send them to external rest.

      Fontaine makes friends easy and always has plenty to play with, have sleepovers, and do fun stuff with, like go to amusement parks and the circus. Her parents even have a small park on their estate with Fontaine’s favorite carnival rides. A firm, “No” with an explanation as for the reason, follows her plea at nine for an elephant. Her mom tells her such large animals need the freedom to roam and unlike dogs and cats, majestic creatures like lions, tigers, and yes, elephants, should not be kept for the amusement of people. Their needs differ. They take her to the circus and zoos only to show her how miserable these beings are in captivity. The girl understands, and it ticks her off, so she rants to Pots. To compensate, Pots, um, Ms. Goodhands, devises a scheme for Fontaine to name all the circus animals. In time, she concocts an ingenious plan to have the parents buy the circus and move the animals to their native habitats. Don’t ask how so gets them to agree, you don’t want to know. She has a way about her.

      In her teenage years, Fontaine is a firecracker, setting the world alight. She involves herself in such a wide variety of hobbies it’s hard to keep up with the activities the adolescent partakes in. Tennis, soccer, theatrics, horseback riding, camping; you name it, she does it. A real pistol, she puts 100 percent into everything. Support and encouragement from her parents are commendable and Ms. Goodhands, her Nanny, is always available to assist, if not downright take part in the action. A former early teen model and beauty queen, she channels Fontaine through the rigorous demands and ropes of pageants. Particular attention is made in teaching her how to fend off the perverts of the business.

      Over a two-year stretch, the teen beauty racked up three prize-winning crowns at the city, state, and regional levels. Runner up was her take from participation in the nationals. A trophy room was set aside for her awards and plaques. Through it all, she never gives an inkling of having a big head. She is down-to-earth and humble. Child-rearing takes its toll on Ms. Goodhands.

      Business Management and Marketing Strategies dominated Fontaine’s college acumen. After graduating top of her class from the prestigious Harvard University, she starts a cancer research corporation. One would guess she gets the drive from her mother.

      At 32, Fontaine desires to settle down and start a family of her own. She meets Victor, 35, and becomes infatuated. They meet at Alderleaf College in Washington state. Their website declares:

      “Welcome to Alderleaf Wilderness College, wilderness survival school, permaculture training, and outdoor education center. Alderleaf offers courses on wilderness survival, wild edible & medicinal plants, permaculture, wildlife tracking, naturalist skills, and outdoor education in the Pacific Northwest.”

      The curriculum is well-thought-out and fun. For the most part, lessons are hands-on. Although a breeze for Fontaine because of Ms. Goodhands teachings, a lot of new ideas and methods have developed since. They will serve a lifetime and come in handy.

      Embarrassment at not being able to swim perturbs Victor. The course includes mandatory lessons. How will he explain his inability and fear? A pow-wow with the empathetic lead instructor assuages his dread. Experts, they will give extra attention and time to Victor. By no means is he the first student with such an impediment. Things turn out superb and Victor completes the module with a passing score. He’s now certified as a survival swimmer and rescuer.

      Successful completion of the coursework results from the two of them working to assist each other. Victor’s ability to apply real-world solutions to enduring situations, no matter the circumstances, comes from Andrei’s teachings. An edict of his is, if he needs to learn something, he will know it by tomorrow, as will everyone on his team. Distasteful to Victor is the practical application of cleaning fresh-caught fish. He dislikes the task, so it becomes Fontaine’s chore. No problem. The companionship thrives into romance.

      It is amazing the pair are an item. When Fontaine and Victor touch upon politics and a host of other topics, they are worlds apart. Victor disdains capitalism, is down on the United States, hates the police, etcetera. The comparison to long-time political figures James Carville and Mary Matalin, he who served under President Clinton, and she who worked for President George H. W. Bush, come to mind. The two agree to disagree and not discuss certain subjects.

      Never abused or subject to serious harassment, she’s careful, having received her share of whistles and catcalls. Boys will be boys and men will be men. Victor is different (and that’s an understatement). He makes her feel at ease and treats her like a lady, not an object.

      The two seldom argue, and as one may guess, Fontaine wears the pants, so most often than not, she wins. A vast majority of their spats deal with politics; the benefits of conservatism versus liberalism and capitalism versus socialism. They always make up and never go to bed angry. Another key to marriage success is they maintain mutual respect for each other’s feelings. They may not like what the other is doing or how they feel, but they accept it.

      Ms. Goodhands was anal about teaching Fontaine the downside of the male species, in age-appropriate segments, throughout the girl’s phases. She was thorough, and