Chapter 27

Quietly resting in the back of the limo, Dick waits for Alfred to drive him to the skating rink at the park. With his roller blades sitting next to him, the boy watches as the city flows by the car.

"We're almost there," calls Alfred, from the front of the car.

"Thanks, Alfie," responds the boy, glancing toward the butler.

"Oh, it was no problem at all, Master Dick," replies the older man, glancing in the rear view mirror to look at the boy sitting in the back. "Perhaps a little bit of exercise is what you need."

"Maybe," comes the response.

A few minutes later, the limo pulls up to the curb. Grabbing his skates, Dick waves to Alfred before opening the back door.

"Back in an hour?" calls the boy.

"I'll be here," replies Alfred, watching as the boy rushes off toward the rink.

……………………….

Waving at some of the kids that he knows from school, Dick sits down on one of the benches near the rink. Untying his shoes quickly, the boy slips off his sneakers and puts the roller blades on his feet. Lacing them up firmly, Dick gets himself onto his feet and rolls toward the rink.

Pushing off, the boy rolls across the flat part of the rink, heading for the curves and hills which are located further in. Feeling the air rush by his face, Dick tries to enjoy the moment of peace, knowing that he will soon have to return home.

"Hey! Dick!"

Turning his head at his name, Dick watches as a petite, blond girl blades toward him.

"Hey Ashley," calls the boy back, recognizing the girl from his English class.

Coming to a stop in front of the boy, the girl smiles shyly at the dark haired boy in front of her.

"I thought that was you," she says, clasping her hands in front of her body.

"Yeah," replies the boy, smiling back at the girl. "I try to get here every Sunday and any other chance I get."

"Me too," replies Ashley. "Well, the any chance I get part. Umm...want to skate together?"

Taking one last glance back at the curves and hills further on, Dick reaches out a hand and takes Ashley's hand. "Sure."

……………………..

Under a few pine trees, located near the skating rink, Yarsmith watches Wayne's ward skate with the blond girl who had just joined him. Keeping his eyes focused on the couple, Yarsmith waits for the children to skate out of sight. Taking a quick look around, Yarsmith steps away from the trees and walks toward the sneakers that Grayson left near the bench.

Sliding a hand into his pocket, Yarsmith pulls out a piece of paper and writes a note. Taking one more look around, the man slides the note into the right shoe of the boy's sneakers. Stepping away from the sneakers, Yarsmith takes one final look around before disappearing into the crowd.

………………………..

The hour passes quickly and, all too soon, Dick is waving goodbye to Ashley as he skates toward the edge of the rink. Stepping off the rink, Dick finds the bench where he left his shoes and sits down. Untying his roller blades, Dick finds himself smiling and humming under his breath.

Maybe Ashley and I could spend some more time together, thinks Dick, as he slips off both skates.

Grabbing the left shoe, the boy promptly slips the shoe on and ties it before grabbing the right. Slipping his foot into the right, Dick stops when he feels that something is in the shoe. Taking the shoe off his foot, Dick turns the shoe upside down and shakes it. The boy watches as a piece of paper flutters to the ground. Setting the shoe on the ground, Dick bends over and picks up the slip of paper. Unfolding it, he stares at the written words on the note.

Did you have fun skating?

I watched you with the little blond.

Perhaps she can join us next time.

Feeling the blood rush from his face, Dick recognizes the handwriting from the journal he had seen as Robin. Quickly, he glances up and looks around the park. Seeing no one in particular looking at him, Dick crumbles the note in his hand. Shoving it into his jean pocket, the boy reaches for his shoe when he hears a car horn from the street. Looking over his shoulder, the boy sees that Alfred and the limo are already waiting for him. Tying his shoe, Dick grabs his roller blades and rushes toward the limo. Opening the door, Dick throws the skates inside before jumping in the limo and slamming the door closed.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" asks Alfred, glancing over the seat to look at the boy. Something is wrong. He's so pale.

"Great," mumbles the boy, not looking at the older man.

"Master Dick?"

"Just take me home, Alfred," responds the boy, staring out the side window.

"Of course," murmurs the butler/driver, before putting the limo into gear and driving back to the mansion. I must let Master Bruce know.