The Long and Winding Road
Chapter Eight
DISCLAIMER: After all this time, my evil mind has not yet thought of a way to capture Batman and friends from the clutches of DC Comics executives. And until that fateful day when I do... everything in this fic is theirs. GREEDY! LOL... just kidding... XD
The days passed quickly. I never thought that time could go by in such a blur, especially not when so many days were long boring school days.
The worst part was how everyone kept congratulating me. Remember how I said that the newspapers had gotten hold of information on Bruce's operation? Because of that, I was constantly being forced to act all smiley and happy. Normally, that would be absolutely no problem. But now, it was such a struggle that everyone noticed. I couldn't concentrate, I couldn't complete my homework assignments… heck, I couldn't even see straight anymore. My teachers all noticed, and I got sent to the principal's office more than once for daydreaming. I didn't mean to be bad, but it was just so… I don't know. Frustrating is the best word I can find to describe what it was like.
Even my friends noticed. In fact, they asked about it a lot, but I told them nothing (now don't go thinking I've got this huge circle of friends here—like I said, I'm the resident nerd). But by keeping my mouth shut, I lost a couple of friends. I hated myself all the more for it. Since when had my life become nothing but lies and secrets and more lies?
At least there was Christmas vacation to look forward to. And, better yet, Bruce was coming home! It was that one thought that kept me going during the remaining time.
But when I awoke yesterday morning, the oddest sensation washed over me. I couldn't explain it, and I still can't, but something was telling me that this was to be the last normal day of my life.
Because it was a Saturday, I spent that last day in the gym (yes, we have our own gym). Bruce had had special gymnastics equipment installed for me as soon as I came to stay, and that was exactly the stuff I used. Just in case I wouldn't be able to do my gymnastics anymore after… well… you know.
How would my parents react if they knew? I wondered absently. It was a legitimate question—after all, this disease had more to do with genetics than with atmosphere, which meant that I would've gotten sick even if they were still alive. What would their reaction be if they had lived?
After a few minutes of pondering this issue, I decided that Bruce's reaction was more than enough to handle for one lifetime and promptly forgot the matter entirely.
After a day in the gym, I took a quick shower and headed downstairs for dinner, still pink-faced from the hot water. Alfred just shook his head with a funny expression on his face as he looked at me. Had he found out about my secret? Oh, gosh, that had to be it! He knew!
"What?" I asked him, trying not to sound as terrified as I was.
"Forgive me, Master Dick," he answered. Then, with a little sigh, he added, "It's just that… you're growing up so quickly now. It seems like just yesterday when you walked through that door for the very first time…"
"Oh, is that all?" I breathed. "I thought I was in trouble!"
"Should you be in trouble?" Alfred asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course not! I haven't done anything bad!"
I think…
As he put the plate down in front of me, he added, "I'm sure you haven't, young sir. You are certainly going to be a fine young man whom Master Bruce will be very proud of."
I blinked, startled, and then realized that I had just lost my appetite. Why did he have to do it? After weeks and weeks of lying, he has to go pick that exact moment to say how great I was. Just what I needed. Not that I wasn't grateful for the compliment, but really!
I lay awake for hours that last night, just gazing thoughtfully up at the ceiling. I didn't want to fall asleep. I was too scared. There was no need to be; I had known this moment would be coming for the past six weeks, and I was ready for it. But, no matter how hard I tried to quell my fears, all of those energetic butterflies kept fluttering around my stomach, effectively keeping me awake.
Suddenly, I sat up in bed, startled. Everything I had planned to say to Alfred the next day had just flown from my mind—my entire explanation was forgotten. Honestly, I couldn't remember a single word. NOW what was I going to say?
Listen! Just calm down, don't freak, my mind screamed. Just relax. Panicking isn't going to help any… calm down… you'll remember…
Good news and bad news—the good news was that I finally managed to compose myself. The bad news was that, in doing so, the butterflies all went away, and I was quickly falling asleep.
I didn't want to go to sleep. I mean I really, really didn't want to go to sleep. I was too scared of what I'd see—or rather, what I wouldn't see—the next morning…
I don't remember dropping off. I do remember waking up and thinking how I should have just stayed asleep. It wouldn't have made much of a difference. At least everything would have still been alright. But now that my eyes were open, I'd have to face reality whether I liked it or not.
And, worst of all, I could hear lots of activity from downstairs.
Lots of activity…
It must be all of our friends, waiting to welcome Bruce home on this happiest of occasions. That meant Clark and Diana and Barry and Wally and—
—and Bruce was coming home later that morning!
Suddenly, I felt desperately ill.
Explaining this to Alfred would be bad enough, but in front of everybody? Well, at least I'd only have to tell the story once.
Ever so slowly, I eventually got out of bed and made my way over to the bathroom to dress. I had actually shown a stroke of genius the night before by laying out all of my clothes beforehand so that I wouldn't have to worry about it when…
Well, anyway, I got dressed. Slower than usual, but it ended with the same results. I hoped.
There was a gentle knock on my bedroom door. I felt my back stiffen as I asked who it was.
I heard the door open, and then Wally's voice calling out, "Just me, Dick! Came to see if you were awake and find out why you were being such a sleepyhead this morning."
"…Just tired, is all," I called back after a bit. "I didn't get to sleep for a while."
"I'll buy that," Wally responded. "You must be pretty excited about Bruce coming today, right?"
"Sure."
Pause.
"Well, you don't SOUND excited…"
"Haven't woken up quite yet. Look, I'll be down in a minute, 'kay?"
That was my way of trying to say 'get out' politely. Luckily, Wally took the hint (for once) and said he'd wait for me in the kitchen with everyone else. I could tell by the tone of his voice that he suspected something was wrong, but he said nothing. Now there's a shocker (sorry!).
As soon as I heard the bedroom door shut, I promptly leaned against the wall, suddenly feeling weak with relief. Not that I don't like Wally, but he tends to talk a lot (so do I, if you want to be honest), and he was liable to blab everything I told him without knowing the entire story. Besides, I'd rather break the bad news myself.
I stalled upstairs for another few minutes, just fiddling with anything I came into contact with. I didn't want to go downstairs—it was worse than not wanting to go to sleep the night before. Actually I think I'd RATHER go back to sleep.
But I couldn't. I had already promised Wally that I'd be in the kitchen soon, and if I didn't show, he'd come back up to look for me. So I slowly, carefully made my way to the door and down the stairs. The noises got closer—they were definitely coming from the kitchen.
Now or never…
Actually, I'd prefer 'never', but I knew I'd chicken out if I didn't move quickly. And so, taking a deep breath, I stepped into view of the others.
"Good morning," I said.
Silence fell instantly. I could just imagine their startled expressions. I would have loved shocking the heck out of everybody under any other circumstances, but now, I just wished they'd say something.
"Dick, what…?"
"I guess you'll kind of want an explanation now, huh?" I said with a sarcastic little grin. I made my way over to the table, found an empty chair, sat down, and started talking.
"Why didn't you just tell us?" Diana wanted to know once I finished.
"What, and ruin your fun? No chance." Then, before anyone else could argue the point, I added, "Well. I'll be in my room if you want me."
Several pairs of hands reached out to help, but I just nudged them away gently and headed upstairs on my own.
Well, that part was over. Now, all I had to do was wait for Bruce to come home…
Me: I think you might be able to guess what's wrong with Dick now. If not, the floor is still open to suggestions, hypotheses, and guesses of all sorts.
Dick (really mad): Well I don't need to guess--I KNOW!
Me: Of course you know. You're the Boy Wonder. Anyway, I'm sorry if this chapter seemed a little fast-paced or clumsy; I had tons of trouble with it. I was completely out of ideas, so I just kind of typed whatever came into my head, hoping to end this story as soon as possible. And yes, I promise that the next chapter is the end of this seemingly-endless story!
Dick (still really mad): GOOD!
Reviewer Replies
kokomocalifornia-Three Kings Day is a Mexican holiday. It is supposed to be when the Wise Men came to see Jesus Christ. You're supposed to leave your shoes out in the hallway for the three Kings to leave presents in (sort of like the stocking routine here in America). Mexican children get their gifts on this day instead of on December 25th. Hope that helps!
Perfectdisaster-Well, we're almost at the end! Everything will be revealed next weekend. Glad you're liking the story! 8)
60's-bat-fan-Hopefully, this chapter sheds a little more light on things. And next week, I promise that the update will be on TIME. I'll make sure of that...
batfan81-Here's the next chapter for your reading pleasure! ;-) Thanks for reviewing!
Little Red Ravenhood-Oooh, 'amazing'. There's a word we haven't heard in a while. Well... I guess I'll sort of be okay... I mean I'm not dead yet, but still... thanks for the review!