REVIEWS: Mew - I'm glad you're still enjoying this. We're about to shift gears as things get really interesting in the Parr household. Soccergurl - I must say I am honored that you are reading (and enjoying) my story. I have been a long time fan and reader of "How it all Happened." I love Glory Days fics (we won't go into why) ;) and I must say yours is undoubtedly the best Helen-Bob story out there. I hope I continue to live up to your standards. Thanks for reading everyone.
XII. THE BATTLE BEGINS
The silence between mother and children was a thunderous one. Helen was driving Violet to the theater for her big date and Dash in to the SMH for the checkup that she had promised Rick he would get. Violet sat next to her just staring out the opposite window and Dash sat directly behind her doing the same. Both wore scowls on their faces. It had been this way for ten minutes and Helen couldn't take it for the remaining ride. She heaved a sigh and decided to give in and break the silence. "You both know this wasn't our decision."
"Well it's not like you tried to do anything about it," Violet retorted crossly.
"Vi you know we can't fight congress," Helen explained. "We've been trying for fifteen years and it just never worked."
"Yeah but look what happened when Syndrome showed up. One event like that and they were swayed," said Violet.
"Yeah mom," Dash interrupted. "Can't we do something like that to change their minds? Please!"
"No way young man," Helen said sternly. "You know what happened last time we tried to change something like that." Dash sat back down and furrowed his brow remembering the incident on Wednesday.
"So I get punished for Dash acting up and being stupid? How is that fair?" Violet questioned.
"HEY!" Dash called back.
"Violet that's enough," Helen said sternly. "This is not your brother's fault, or my fault, or your father's fault."
"So you're saying it's my fault," Violet interrupted.
"No I'm saying that it's nobody's fault," Helen said in a commanding but calm voice. "Now look here both of you. There are still a lot of people out there who don't understand us and as long as people like that exist we will always have problems."
"Then let's make them understand," Violet interjected.
"Vi look. It's not that simple," Helen continued. "Now we will talk with people, we will try to work this out, but until then neither of you are doing any super work and that's final. Once I've talked to your father and we decide what we're going to do then we will talk; but until then, not another word. Are we clear?"
"Crystal," Dash mumbled from the back seat. Violet didn't answer as she had returned to pouting out the window. About that time they reached the theater.
"Have fun Vi, I'll be back in two and a half hours to pick you up," Helen said in a very motherly, nothing in the world is wrong kind of tone. It was very different from moments before and it made Violet cringe. Nevertheless Violet was already out the door and didn't say word. Dash climbed over the back seat and they started off once again in unpleasant silence. Helen normally would never allow her children to talk to her like that. Any other night she would've turned the car around and went straight home; but she understood they were being unfairly treated and she remembered how she felt when the ASLs had gone into effect. Of course in truth she was somewhat grateful that the kids weren't being allowed to do hero work. After Dash's accident she was frightened to let them in on it and this gave her a scapegoat to keep her from being the enemy. Of course, she would never tell them that.
