"Que Sera, Sera."
Spring Break:
By: The BatThing
Chapter Five:
"We're best friends."
Dick carefully turned his head to look at Tim, who was sitting beside him in the back seat of the car. "What did you just say?"
"You and me." Tim glanced at Bruce, and then leaned closer to Dick, whispering in his ear. "You're my best friend!"
"Eh, um, thanks?" Dick quickly scooted further away.
"Ok, this has been bothering me for some time now, so answer honestly." Tim took a deep breath, looking at Bruce. "What is up with this Pied Piper dude? I don't get him."
"What are you talking about?" The man demanded.
"You know, he just – he keeps coming up in conversation. I just don't understand how he is relevant. I mean – who is he?" The boy shook his head. "I keep asking people, but they never really answer my question."
Bruce sighed, and looked out the window.
At this, Tim bitterly replied. "You're just like the rest of them. I should have known."
Silence.
"Keep your secret. That's fine. I don't care. After all, it's not like you're supposed to provide for my needs."
Silence.
"After all, you do feed and clothe me, I should be thankful for what I have, right?"
Bruce turned around, annoying beyond his limit. He closed his eyes and threw up his hands. "FINE! Fine, I'll tell you! The Pied Piper is a story! It's about a man who can lure rats and children away with his magical flute."
Tim shook his head. "A flute? That's kind of sad. Why didn't he play a pipe?"
The man covered his face. "I knew it!"
"Knew what?" Tim demanded, looking upset with the comment. "I resent that, I resent that more than I care to admit. Your words are hurtful."
"And your words are painful." Dick chimed with a little wave of his hand. He slipped and arm over Tim's neck and started to rub his younger brother's head affectionately. "You are a pain in the butt!"
"BRUCE! Help! I need help!"
Bruce shook his head, turning his head a little to look at the driver. "Alfred?"
"Sir?"
"Could we please pull over?" The man questioned. He was pleased when the car pulled to the side of the road, and opened the door getting out and motioning for Dick and Tim to do the same.
Tim looked around, then to Bruce, his expression one of confusion. "What are we doing stopped like this? I thought we were going home because the day didn't turn out like we wanted."
Dick was poking his foot at the ground, squinting at the sand, as if finding it extremely interesting. He didn't care to join the conversation, so he didn't. He just kept himself entertained with the natural things around him.
"You two can walk home. I'm sure you'll manage just fine."
At this Dick's head lifted. "Walk home!"
Bruce was already getting back in the car. He closed and locked the door, then rolled down the window slightly. "Yes, walk home. Here's some money, when you get into two buy Tim some flip flops … have fun, I'm sure you two will be just fine."
"You can't do this!" Tim yelled as the car pulled away. He ran a little after it, waving his arms wildly. "You can't do this!"
"Tim, he just did."
To be continued …
How's that, Mr. Barbarian. And I'm a girl, not a boy, not an 'it' … a girl! ;-)