Chapter 5: "Stand By Your Man"
The figure exited Blackgate in a hurry, followed close behind by Dick Grayson. He saw that where he ended up was a small apartment, made very cozy by the decoration. Dick looked around as the figure stood still, watching him.
"This is Barbara's. She decorated this… I would know her style anywhere. She's still alive," Dick said happily.
"Yes," the figured agreed. "She is alive."
Dick walked over to the wall and looked at the pictures hanging there. Engagement pictures… wedding pictures… baby pictures. "Bard… she married Bard." He walked over to the figure. "Not my favorite guy in the world, but she looks happy."
"Yes, she does, doesn't she?" she figured said sadly as she turned away. As she walked toward the corner, Barbara Bard entered from one of the bedrooms, talking on the phone. Her long, red hair was draped over one side of her face, and she tidied up the already neat room as she conversed.
"I can't talk much longer, Lana. Jason will be home soon and I haven't even started dinner yet." She paused as Lana talked. "Yes… I know, Lana. I… I'll try. I'll ask Jason about it, but I really don't think I have the time. And he likes me to stay home and watch the kids. We've both agreed that it's better for them if they grow up with a mother around all the time. Listen, Lana… I think I saw his car pulling into the street. I've got to go. I'll talk to you later, Lana." She clicked the end button and ran into the bedroom to put the phone back on the hook as Jason Bard entered his home.
"Babs?" he called. "Babs, honey, where are you?"
Barbara smoothed her hair and dress as she entered from the bedroom. "Jason, honey," she said as she gave him a kiss.
"That's my girl," he said, patting her on the head as he passed, taking off his coat and setting his briefcase down. "So, what do I have for dinner tonight?"
She walked over, frowning for a second, but covering it up with a smile. "Well… it was Teriyaki Chicken, but… I don't know… something happened and it burned. I had to start all over again, so it won't be ready now for at least…"
Jason stepped to her. "You know I like dinner right when I come home, right, honey?" he asked her, somewhat menacingly, Dick thought.
She nodded. "Yes, dear, but it burned… there was nothing I could do."
"You could have done it right the first time," he muttered as he walked to the couch and sat down.
"Yes," she said as she looked down. "Yes, I could have."
Dick turned to the figure, who sat in the corner. "I don't understand… the guy always seemed so nice. And why does she let him talk to her like that?"
"Just wait," the figure said, still staring at the married couple.
Barbara Bard sat down next to her husband and turned to him. "But before dinner, I have something to ask you. Well, see, Lana and I were talking today…"
"Lana?" Jason interrupted. "The one with the funny hair?"
Barbara smiled slightly. "Yes, I guess… the one with the funny hair. Well, her husband works for the police department, and apparently, since Dad's retired, a lot of the officers have been following suite and moving to other divisions, other precincts. There are some nice job openings in desk work, at least, he said, and since I already have all the training…"
"Barbara… didn't we already discuss this?" Jason asked, frowning.
"Well, yes… but the children are growing up so fast. Jason Junior is already nine. I was thinking that I could go out and start…"
"We decided that the best place for you would be in the home, taking care of the children, remember?" Jason asked her, standing up.
"Well, yes but…" she started.
"But what?" Jason asked in a booming voice.
As Barbara looked up at him, the hair fell away from her face and Dick saw that the entire right side was different shades of bruised. Her cheek and jaw were a brownish yellow, while her lip was red and puffy. Around her eye were solid black and purple welts. They were the kind of bruises a fight made.
"But Jason…" she started feebly.
"But nothing," he yelled as he grabbed her by her shoulders, yanking her off the couch. "Your place is here! Do you understand that? Do you?" he asked as he raised a hand and backhanded her across her left cheek. She fell to the ground, hitting the coffee table in the process, as Jason continued shouting at her.
"NOOOOOOO!!!!" Dick yelled over Jason's shouts, as he covered his ears and closed his eyes, stumbling over to the figure in the corner. "NOO! I don't want to see anymore! I'm done with it!!!"
