"On tooooop of spagheeeeettttii/Aaaalllll covered with cheeeeeesssseeee/I lost my poooooor meatballlll/When somebody sneeeeeeezed."
Selina frowned and turned her head to see her kid. She had just left the redhead in her bed, resting, and was driving toward her home, but Helena was acting oddly. She was jumping on the back seat and singing in loud voice, wearing one of Barbara's big sweaters and pants, under a warm bedspread; her wet clothes were in the trunk.
"It rolled of the taaaaaaaaaaaabbbllleeeee... and ontoo the flooorrrrrrr and then..."
"Helena, would you please calm down?" her mother asked, looking at her through the rear view mirror.
The kid let herself fall on the back seat. "myyyyy pooor meeeeeatballllll rolled right out the doooorrrrrrr."
"Helena, stay quiet," Selina took a deep breath, "I don't want to crash because of you distracting me." The traffic was heavy and the snow was starting to fall again.
The little brunette suddenly hugged her around her neck. "...it rolled through the gaaaarrrrrdeeeennnn and under a buuuusshhhh and then myyyy pooorrrr meeeeeabaaaalllll was nothing but muuuussshhhhh…"
"Okay, okay, you sing beautifully, now stay quiet, please."
The child moved back and began to move from side to side in the back sieat. The blonde raised her brow, that hyperactivity wasn't normal, even for Helena. She arrived at her home a few minutes later. She picked up the girl and walked toward her apartment but Helena kept dancing and moving.
"..the muush was as taaaaaaaaaaaaasty as tasty could beeeeeeeee and then the next suuuuuuuummmmmeeeerrr it grew into a treeeeeeee."
"Hel, please, stay quiet! You are heavy!" She had a hard time trying to keep her quiet. The guard at the main door smiled, opening the door.
"the tree was all cooooovered, all covered with moooooosssssssss and on it grew meatbaaallllllssss and tomato sssaaaaaauuuuuccceeee."
"Evening, Mrs. Kyle, do you want help?"
"No thanks, John, I can deal with this."
After doing an equilibrium exercise in the elevator, with relief, the blonde arrived at her apartment. As soon as she put the child on the floor, she jumped up and down and began to sing, but as soon as she hopped a few steps, she stepped on the pants that were too long and she fell to the floor.
"Helena, you must change your clothes." Selina smiled.
The little brunette stood up immediately and kept singing and dancing from side to side. Selina removed her coat and gloves. She folded the bedspread that had been around Helena and put it over a chair. Inside, she wanted to go to look for Mr. Freeze and kick his ass. That nut had almost killed her child and Barbara. But she knew Batman was behind him, and she was sure, he would trap him soon. She went toward the fridge. Helena kept singing.
"The tree was all cooooovered, all covered with moooooosssssssss..."
"Helena would you please stay quiet?" she took a glass of water "You will break something!"
"...and on it grew meatbaaallllllssss and tomato sssaaaaaauuuuuccceeee."
Selina turned and saw her dancing from one side to the another. She was going to stumble again with those long pants. "Helena, go to your room now and change your clothes!"
"I'm okay."
"No, you are not okay, go change your clothes."
"On tooooop of spagheeeeettttii/Aaaalllll covered with cheeeeeesssseeee..."
Selina finished her water and exited the kitchen. "Go change, I said."
Making small jumps, Helena followed her mother to her room. "I lost my poooooor meatballlll/When somebody sneeeeeeezed..."
Barbara was changing channels on her television, nothing good was on the channels, maybe reading a good book would be better. She opened her drawer and distractedly felt around for her book. Something sticky and wet made her stop her movements. What was that? She didn't recall leaving any bottles open or... she slowly turned her head to look inside the drawer.
-
The ex-criminal rubbed her temples. What the hell was happening to her? She had been running around and avoiding going inside her bedroom "Helena, please!" she took Helena's hand and almost dragged her back to her room.
"Mom, can we play?" the girl asked, letting her mother drag her.
"Play what?" the blonde opened the door. Helena freed herself from her mother's grip and ran to her bed to jump on it.
"I'm a bird! Try to catch me!" she said, using her bed as trampoline.
"You are going to break the bed, get down!" Selina began to feel tired.
"I'm a bird!"
"A bird, my ass! Come here!"
The child didn't obey and Selina caught her in the air and moved her off the bed. "Go change your clothes now!."
She ran toward her closet, moving her arms like wings.
Barbara, with disgust cleaned her fingers with a small cloth. It looked like drool. Her mind worked quickly. What was that? She never put strange things in her drawers, just papers. She took a pencil and poked it. The fluid impregnated the pen too easily. Her eyes widened as her mind suddenly landed on the answer.
"Shitt!" Barbara growled, looking at the half-eaten blob of candy in her drawer. "I'm going to kill you, Helena.!"
Selina had managed to sit Helena next to her in the living room to watch television, but she had suddenly turned into a little parrot. She was trying to be patient, but she was driving her crazy. She tried to concentrate on the drama on the screen, but the little brunette didn't stop talking with Jaçques hugged between her arms
"Mom, why do you like those things?"
"It's just a way to relax."
"I don't understand why all those guys keep crying all the time if at the end everything is okay."
"Happens."
"But isn't it boring to watch all those episodes just to see the girl and the boy kissing at the end? Why don't we watch cartoons instead?" Helena cocked her head at her.
Selina crossed her fingers over her stomach and closed her eyes a few seconds. She must be patient, she couldn't be too firm with her, she had lived a terrible experience a few hours ago and maybe this was a result of it. She heard the click of the channels and surrendered; it was better than arguing with her.
"Do you like Bugs Bunny, mom? I like Bugs Bunny, but I like Daffy Duck more. Where is it? I can't find it." The child began to press the buttons of the remote control. "I only see other cartoons that I don't like. Why can't the TV...?"
"Helena..."
"Yes?"
"Would you please stop changing channels like a crazy person and stop on one channel? I'm feeling seasick."
"Okay... what channel do you want to see?" Helena asked, with her eyes fixed on the screen.
"Any of them." The blonde woman rubbed her temples.
"No, tell me one," the child insisted.
"Okay... WB..."
"I don't like that one, they always cut the shows that I like too soon. They are bad. Why don't you pick a better channel?"
"So watch anything you want."
"No, tell me one."
"What about USA?"
"That channel just has adult series and bad shows, why do you like the bad channels? I don't understand. I like the series where..."
"Hel," her mother interrupted and pulled her against her side, "just watch any channel you want."
"I want you to watch something that you like, what do you want see, mom? Or would rather play? Do you want to play?"
"No, I don't want to play now." Selina rolled her eyes and patted Helena's side. She felt something in the pocket of the Barbara's sweater that the little brunette was still wearing.
"I want to play." Helena moved back. "Come on. We can play cards or maybe..."
"Wait a second," she moved Helena's arm and put her hand in the pocket of the sweater, "what do you have here?"
"I wanna play, mom. Maybe we can camp in my room, we can use the blankets and the chairs to build a camp."
Long fingers pulled out candy. "What is this?"
"Candy," Helena said. "So are we going to play? Should I go get the chairs?"
"Where did you get it?"
"Barbara gave me candy."
"Barbara gave you candy?"
"She gave me chocolate cake, a biiiiiig mug of hot chocolate and candies. Can we play now?"
Selina began to understand what was happening. "How much candy did you eat?"
"I dunno."
Selina moved her hand to the other pocket of the sweater and took out an almost empty plastic bag. She raised a brow. "This bag was full?"
Helena played with her fingers. "No... not much... just a bit."
"How much is 'just a bit'?" The blonde knew that kids acted all crazy with a ton of energy if they ate too much sugar. Helena had apparently eaten a lot of candy and sugar. Seemed as if Barbara didn't know how it affected kids.
"Just a bit."
"Barbara gave you the entire bag?"
"Let's go to play!" the girl said, jumping off of the couch.
"No, no, come here," Selina took Jaçues by the tail. Helena moved back not wanting to let go of her cat, "Barbara gave you the whole bag?"
"She told me to take it. Mom, I want to play, On top of spaghetti, All covered with cheese."
"God!" Selina picked up the phone and dialed.
"...I lost my poor meatball, When somebody sneezed." shetook Jaçues by her paws and began to dance around the living room.
Barbara had finished cleaning her drawer, she took some alcohol and began to clean her fingers. She picked up the phone. :On top of spaghetti, All covered with cheese...: Was that Helena singing?
:Barbara:
"Yes... I'm here. Cleaning a drool-y mess in my room." She explained, taking another towel.
:What:
:I lost my pooooor meaaaatball, When someboooodyyy sneeeeeezed.:
"Forget it, how can I help you?"
:Did you gave candy to Helena:
: It rolled off the taaaaaablllle, and on to the floooooorrrrr...:
"Yes, a couple... she was watching television.." the redhead explained.
:And theeen my pooooor meaaatttbaaaall, Rolleeeed right out the door.: the voice of Helena singing was heard again.
:Helena, please, shut up: Selina exclaimed :Babs, did you take the candy from a bag? A big bag full of candy:
"Yes... I put it all the candy that people give me in it and sometimes I take it to my office.." the redhead didn't understand what was happening.
:Where is the bag:
"In my..." Barbara opened the lower drawer, the bag wasn't there. She opened the next one. "...wait..."
:The bag was a green, plastic one: Selina asked.
"How do you know?"
:Helena stole your bag and ate almost all the candy.:
:It rooooolleeeed in the gaaaaarden, And under a buuuuuuush...:
:Now she is hyperactive, excitable and annoying.:
"Oh damn... I'm sorry." Barbara covered her eyes with her hand.
:And theeeen my pooooor meaaaaatbaaaaall, Was nooooothiiing but muuuuuush.:
Selina, in the living room of her home, glared at her child "Helena, shut up or I'll tie you to a chair!"
:May I help you in some way: the redhead asked.
"No, I just wanted to be sure how much candy this little demon ate. Thanks Barbara, I'll call you later. Bye." She hung up the phone and tried to grab Helena's arm, but she jumped. The child, giggling, began to run from one side to another. She hid behind the dinner table. "Don't do this, Helena!" Selina stood on the other side of the table, "You stole the entire bag of candy!"
"Catch me!"
"No, no 'catch you', come here!" Selina had become impatient.
"I'm the Flash!" Helena tried to run, but Selina was agile and stopped her, grabbing her hand.
"I said, come here!" the blonde said.
"I'm the Flash!" Helena tried to free herself but Selina grabbed her by her waist, picked her up, and carried her toward her bedroom with her struggling in her arms. It was going to be a long evening. "I'm the Flash, mom! Le me go!"
"Flash, you are now my prisoner; we are going to your room, time to rest."
"It's just eight, mom."
"Good time to sleep." Selina opened the door of Helena's room and walked inside; she moved the blankets on the bed to one side with her free hand.
"I'm going to run around the world!" Helena shouted. "I'm the fastest person in the whole world!
"Tomorrow you will do it." Selina put her on the bed, "Raise your hands."
The kid obeyed. Selina removed her sweater and shirt and stood up. "Now put on your pajamas, they're on the bed, and don't forget to remove your pants."
Helena moved under the covers. "I'm the mole girl!"
Selina rolled her eyes "God! Helena, please!" she took the pajama's from under the pillow and glared at the child under the covers. "Dress now or I'll spank you!"
A hand appeared from under the covers. Selina gave her the pajama's and crossed her arms. "I'm waiting 'mole –girl'.'"
"Mom... who is dad?" The little brunette began to put on her pajamas under the covers.
Selina closed her eyes; that was the last thing that she needed. "I'm tired, Hel."
"Why do you never want to talk about him? I heard the some of my friends talking about my their parents... Why can't we talk about him?"
"We'll do it, tomorrow, today I'm exhausted."
"You are waiting for me to forget it tomorrow."
"No, I'm waiting for you to finish changing and to go to sleep." A hand with pants appeared from under the covers, Selina took them. "Now, no more games and just go to sleep."
Helena felt suddenly that maybe something was wrong with him. Maybe for that reason she never wanted talk about him, her head appeared. "Is he a bad man?"
"Of course not! Why do you think that?" That was the last thing the blonde expected her to ask.
"You don't want to talk about him because you are angry with him?"
"I'm not angry with him." Selina took her by her arms and moved her carefully to the pillow, covering her with the blankets. Helena hugged her black stuff cat.
"He doesn't like me? Many daddy's don't like their children. Maybe he doesn't like me." Blue eyes locked on hers. That would be a good reason, it was strange he had never looked for her or her mother and tried to show her at least a picture, or say his name.
"No, no, Helena." The tall woman shook her head and sat on the edge of the bed, she didn't want her to think that but... she couldn't tell her yet. She was too curious and surely she would like to know more and more. And if she told her, she would have to tell him too. And it would complicate things, "You are wrong, don't think that. Never think that."
Helena cocked her head, she wanted to know "He doesn't want me to see him or you don't want me to see him?"
Why did she asked so many questions? Selina sighed, she brushed her rebellious hair and smiled. "Helena, not tonight; it's complicated... one day you will understand."
"Why is everything always complicated for adults?" The kid put her hands over the covers. "Why is it too complicated to know my dad? Why can't you tell me?"
"Honey..." she needed to think of a good idea to get out of this situation without hurt her.
"Does he know me?"
"Excuse me?"
"Does he know me?"
It was a simple, short question, whose answer would surely bring more questions. Selina didn't know what to do; she wasn't ready yet, if she knew, Bruce would know and many other people too; being the daughter of a millionaire would bring so much attention to her, she wouldn't be a free girl; and she would be exposed to many things, and would have to walk with people watching her back to prevent someone from trying to take advantage of him by using her. And if some lunatic discovered that he was Batman, things would be worse. And talking with him, she needed to talk with him and give him a a lot of explanations... Maybe it wasn't the fact that Helena wasn't ready, maybe she was the one that wasn't ready to let her live that life... and she was a child, and she had no way to protect herself yet.
"Mom?"
Selina blinked to find big blue eyes open expectantly; Helena sat on the bed watching her, waiting for an answer. Selina leaned and hugged her lovingly. "Anyone that knows you, loves you, Hel. No one could hate you; you are a sweet and lovely girl. Anything that happened or is happening is not your fault, it's mine," she moved softly, rocking with her back and forth. "Never think he hates you. Never. I'm just asking you to give me time, this is not easy for me. I'll answer this and any questions you want. But not now, honey."
The girl began to moan softly, she kissed her head, "Forgive me."
"Mom..." Helena moaned.
Selina saw pain in her face and felt her heart break, she didn't want it. "No, Helena, please..."
The kid hugged her stomach, "My stomach hurts..."
"What?" the blonde blinked.
"My stomach hurts..." She bent down.
"Oh God, it must be the candy!" Selina hugged her with relief in some way; she wasn't complaining because she hadn't told her about her father, she was complaining because she had eaten so much. "You should never have eaten all that candy."
"Hurts..." Helena snuggled against her. The older woman moved her gently again to the bed and stood up, "Wait, let me look for something."
