31. Coming Home
The next evening, Dora found herself back at home. As much as she enjoyed spending time with Jason, she was going to take full advantage of the time off he had arranged for her.
Jason was disappointed, of course, but he understood and let her go. There was such a thing as too much of a good thing.
Dora fumbled with her keys, having forgotten which key went into which lock. Had it really been that long? After finally getting both the knob and the deadbolt unlocked, she opened the door, only to find that the chain was on.
"Mami!" she called in through the crack. "Abre la puerta!" Open the door!
"Dora?" a small voice answered. A little face appeared in the door crack, her dark blue eyes glowing with excitement. "Oh my god! Dora! You're home!"
She knelt so she was eye level with her baby sister. "Yeah, Mercy, I am!"
The little girl slammed the door closed, undid the chain, yanked it open again, and glomped Dora. "I missed you!"
Dora fell back on her butt with the force of the little girl's full body hug, but she embraced it. "I know, sweetie, I missed you too," she said. Mercy had no idea how much. Dora hugged her baby sister back tightly, planting a kiss on her forehead while trying to hold back some tears. It felt like months since she had last seen her. "I'm so happy to see you, baby."
She pulled back to get a good look at Mercy. She was growing like a weed and getting more beautiful every day. Fair skin, dark brown hair, and enormous blue eyes. She resembled her father more than her mother, which made Dora's heart pang a little. Her dad wasn't around to see his daughter grow up.
"Ay, que'esto, Mercedes?" Hey, what's this, Mercy? Dora looked up to see her mother Anita leaning on the door frame, smiling warmly at her. "My prodigal daughter returns," Anita said.
Dora let go of Mercy and picked up the grocery bags she had brought. "Yeah, I finally managed to get some time off. Wanted to come home and have dinner as a family."
"Well, I'm glad you did." Anita grabbed a few grocery bags from Dora and gave her a quick hug and kiss.
"Is Carla home?"
"Not yet," Anita said, helping Dora with the bags. "She's been pretty good about curfew lately, though, so I expect she'll be back soon."
Dora walked through the dingy little apartment and into the kitchen. Contrary to what most people assumed; Dora's family didn't live in the Montgomery building. They used to, but all the apartments were either studios or one bedroom, which were all too small for Dora's family once Carla was born. Monty and Anita moved into another apartment building a few blocks down the street from the Alibi. Since it was Gotham, their unit was still tiny, but at least it had three bedrooms.
While Dora was still attending Gotham University and working at the Park Row Clinic, she had lived in one of the studios of the Montgomery building, but keeping up with the Odessa Mob's protection money forced her to give it up and rent it to someone else. Since then, Dora shared a bedroom with Mercy because Carla demanded privacy. Despite spending most of her nights in the Alibi's cellar or Holly's studio nowadays, Dora didn't mind sharing a room with Mercy; they had done so since she was born. It was part of the reason they were so close.
In their tiny little kitchen, Dora unpacked the groceries. Mercy was eager to help. In fact, she knew where everything was in the pantry better than Dora did.
"You're cooking?" Anita asked skeptically in Spanish.
Dora decided to switch as well. It'd be better for Mercy to pick up the language. "Yeah? Is there a problem? Did you already make something?" Dora set apart the ingredients she needed.
Anita held up her hands. "No, no. It's fine. It's just it's your first night back home in over a week, why don't you relax?"
"This is relaxing for me, mom."
"Fine, what are you making?"
Dora pulled a package of chicken breasts from a grocery bag. "Pollo guisado."
The traditional chicken stew from Santa Prisca was a complex recipe. Dora welcomed all the enthusiastic help she got from Mercy, who prepared the rice entirely by herself. It felt good to be passing on the tradition.
On the other hand, Anita constantly nitpicked whatever Dora did—whether it was her choice of ingredients, her technique, or the instructions she gave Mercy—and it was a struggle to appease her. As frustrated as Dora got with her mother's nagging and backseat cooking, it was something familiar from before this whole chaotic episode in her life, so she had more patience than usual. In fact, she had missed this little conflict with her mom that used to be routine.
Even still, she mostly tried to ignore everything she said. Anita was a less than mediocre cook, but in complete denial of that fact. Dora had instead learned to cook from her grandmother, her dad, and the various Santa Priscan cooks that had worked in the Alibi over the years.
Just as Dora set the stew down to a simmer, Carla finally came home—with Holly in tow. Both girls lit up at the sight of Dora.
"Holy shit, Dee, you're home," Carla said, dropping her backpack and wrapping her in a hug. "What's the occasion?"
"No occasion," Dora shrugged, discomforted. Genuine hugs from Carla were rare. It felt... heartwarming, but weird. "I managed to get some time off work and I just wanted to spend some time with my family."
Holly awkwardly looked around at the Silva women. "Well, I guess that's my cue to leave."
To Dora's surprise, Anita said, "No, no, Holly, please stay. You're welcome in our home any time. Please join us for dinner."
"Um," she looked at Dora.
Dora nodded, "Sure, that's not a problem. The more the merrier. Besides, I'm pretty sure I got the portions wrong in the recipe, so there's more than enough for you too." She had, in fact, made too much. The recipe she had followed fed her whole family—including her dad.
As they ate dinner, Dora got the impression that Anita was unaware (or in denial) that Holly and Carla were dating—she believed they were simply best friends. It was sort of funny because Anita apparently loved Holly, taking the time to sing her praises to Dora. "She's sixteen, but already the assistant manager of a hotel. Knows the value of good work, makes sure Carla goes to her NA meetings, and doesn't let Carla hang out after curfew with a bunch of random boys off the street."
Holly, Carla, and Dora all shared awkward glances. Dora felt like they dreaded as much as she did the moment Anita found out what Holly's true background was.
"So, Dora." Anita turned her attention back to her. "How exactly did you get the night off? You're always saying the bar can't run itself and that Rochelle can't handle it on her own."
Dora nervously swallowed her food without chewing it. Her mother was vaguely aware of the shady deal with Ma Gunn that was helping keep the Alibi afloat. Anita also didn't know that Holly knew more than she did.
"Well, the Alibi's been doing pretty well lately since the re-opening; even with the debt, there was room in the budget, so… I decided to hire a new bartender. Her name's Cali." It was mostly the truth.
"So, does that mean…" Anita raised her eyebrows expectantly.
Dora smiled, looking at Mercy in particular. "I'll be able to spend more time with you guys, yeah. I'll still manage the bar, but I won't be doing as much grunt work as before."
Mercy grinned at her through a mouthful of rice and chicken, and Dora's heart nearly exploded. That's what she wanted.
Before she had left Jason earlier that evening, he had told Dora that she could use Cali to cover her shifts whenever she wanted. And he had emphasized whenever. Dora, in turn, decided to take full advantage of that offer. So, in effect, that meant that Cali worked for the Alibi now, despite the fact that Jason was paying her wages and not Dora.
"Does that also mean you're going back to college? Nursing and everything?" Carla asked.
Dora's positive mood dipped a little. Why did Carla have to mention that? Everyone at the table looked at her expectantly. "I don't know. I'm thinking about it."
In fact, she wasn't. After taking care of her family, she fully intended to spend her newfound free time training to take down Black Mask.
Thankfully, Holly sensed how troubled the question made Dora feel, so she brought up some neighborhood gossip that held Anita's attention for the rest of dinner.
After clearing the table and loading the dishwasher, Carla told everyone that she and Holly were going to her room to do homework.
Dora looked at the both skeptically and followed them into the hallway. "Homework?" she whispered. "You're a dropout."
Holly smiled. "Relax, Dee. We are actually doing homework. I'm getting an alternative diploma. Online courses. At the rate I'm going, I could graduate before I turn seventeen."
"Really?"
"Yeah, you best believe I'm gonna run that hotel someday. Perhaps legitimately." Holly backstepped into Carla's bedroom, hand on the door. "But what fun is all that work, if you don't play a little afterward?" She blew a kiss and wink at Dora, then closed the door on her face.
Dora rolled her eyes, deciding not to let it bother her. Carla could certainly do much worse than Holly, and bonus. She turned around to find Mercy behind her.
"Holly and Carla are girlfriend/girlfriend, but Mami doesn't know," Mercy said plainly. "Don't tell her, okay?"
Dora couldn't help but smile at that. The little girl was wise beyond her years. "Don't worry, I won't."
"I want to show you something!" Mercy grabbed Dora's hand and led her to their bedroom.
The room was mostly like Dora had left it. Their shared bed was tucked into a corner by the window, with her dresser by one wall. The opposite wall was dominated floor to ceiling by bookshelves her father had built in. The top shelves were packed with Dora's personal library, while the lower shelves held most of Mercy's toys and personal belongings.
The only that had changed was Dora's desk. Instead of the pile of biology and nursing textbooks and papers that normally occupied the space, there were piles of fabric with various colors and prints. And was that her grandmother's sewing machine?
Mercy held something out for Dora. It was a plush of Wonder Woman—or rather a home-made rag doll of Wonder Woman. It was very simple and crude, with clumsy cuts and stitches, but that gave it a sort of thrifty charm.
"Did you make this?" Dora asked.
Mercy was beaming with pride. "Yeah! My babysitter Señora Carmen taught me how to sew. I practiced and got good, then I decided to make my own dolls. Look!" She showed Dora all the dolls on the bed.
"Wow." In addition to Wonder Woman, Mercy had homemade rag dolls of Robin, Batgirl, Superman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg, and even the Martian guy. The craftsmanship of each doll was better than the last. "Did you really make all of these?"
"Yeah. This was the first one I did." She held up a plush of Batman.
Dora couldn't help but laugh out loud. She still had bad dreams of the night the real Batman came to interrogate her on the Alibi's rooftop, but he looked so damn cute as a little doll. Mercy even gave him his signature scowl.
Mercy hopped over to the desk and dug through the pile of fabric. "And this is the one I'm working on right now."
Dora gasped and covered her gaping mouth.
The doll was still unfinished, missing an eye and both its legs, but she could clearly tell it was Red Hood.
She was not just impressed; she was damn proud. Not at Mercy's craftsmanship, because quite frankly, the rough patchwork and stitches were what anyone would expect from an eight-year-old. Rather, Dora was amazed at the focus, dedication, and patience it would take for a third-grader to independently complete such a project—multiple times.
"This is amazing, sweetie," Dora said. "You know what? I want you to let me know as soon as you finish this Red Hood doll. I have a friend who would really like to see it." She could only imagine the look on Jason's face when he saw himself in raggedy plush form.
"Really?" Mercy beamed. "Mami says that Red Hood isn't a good guy and that I shouldn't make a doll of him, but I remember when you told me that Red Hood is your friend. Is he who you want to show it to?"
Dora hesitated for a moment. Mercy had kept that secret for this long, so she was probably capable of keeping another one. "Yeah, I want to show it to him."
"Is Red Hood the reason you have more time off now?"
Dora smiled. "Yeah, he is."
"Then I don't care what Mami says. I think he's a good guy like you said."
Against her better judgment, Dora said. "You know what, maybe one day you'll meet him. How about that? But you have to keep it a secret from Mami, okay?"
"Okay, I can't wait!" Mercy said excitedly, but then her attention snapped to the doorway. "Uh-oh! She's coming." As footsteps thumped along the hallway, Mercy hid the Red Hood doll in the pile of fabric again.
"Time for bed, niña." Anita appeared in the doorway. "Go on and wash up."
Mercy tottered off to the bathroom, leaving Anita and Dora alone. The two exchanged a lingering look. "I hope you know how much she misses you now."
"I do. I missed her too."
"I'm not stupid, you know. I can tell she prefers you. She'd rather you be her mother instead of me," Anita said, a quiver to chin. "You have a bond I can't compete with." She sniffled and rubbed her eye. "And honestly, sometimes, I don't want to."
Dora hugged Anita tightly. "You're a great mother, mami. I'm grateful for everything you've done for us. Someday Mercy'll understand that too. Don't ever forget that. Look at Carla, she's finally coming around, huh?"
"Si, mija. You're right. Stay the course and become someone that those girls will look up to someday." Anita sniffed, then wiped her eyes. "You go wash up too. You smell like a car or something."
Dora snorted as she headed to the bathroom. Side effect of hanging around a garage all day. She, Reilly, and Jason were putting together her stripped down lightweight motorcycle.
Fifteen minutes later, she had brushed Mercy's hair, was tucking her into bed. "Do you want me to read you a story?"
"Yes, please!"
"How about this one?" Dora pulled an illustrated book from the shelf. Little Red Riding Hood seemed poignantly appropriate right now.
"Actually, I want you to read this." Mercy reached over to her nightstand and handed Dora a novel.
Dora stared at the cover for a second. "Harry Potter?"
"Can you pick up where I left off?" she asked, tugging on the handmade bookmark.
Dora slid under the covers with her. "You've been reading this to yourself?"
"Uh huh. I'm halfway through the second book," Mercy said sleepily, as she cuddled up to Dora and laid her head on her breast.
Dora's heart swelled with both pride and grief. She was growing so fast. How much had she missed?
They only got through a few pages before Mercy was fully asleep. Dora gently wriggled herself out from under her baby sister, then carefully fixed her pillow and covers.
She watched Mercy sleep for a little while, reflecting on how special she was. Mercy was reading way above her grade level and was already more creative than Dora ever was at that age. A little sense of fear touched Dora. If she and her mother weren't more attentive from now on, everything that was special and talented about Mercy could be squandered. This beautiful child was laying right in front her, yet Dora still missed her.
She needed some fresh air or she was going to cry.
Padding through the dark apartment, she slipped on a hoodie and sneakers, and walked out of her apartment building.
Holly was sitting on the stoop, pulling from a vape pen. "Hi."
"Hi."
"So." Holly offered Dora the vape. "It seems like you're doing pretty good lately."
Dora eyed the pen for a second, betting it had some THC. She decided, Fuck it, why not? Jason smoked marijuana about twice a day for muscle and joint pain. She took a pull from the device and found that it was cherry flavored/scented. Still toxic, but it wasn't unpleasant.
"Rochelle and I were worried when you didn't show up for work yesterday," Holly said. "We didn't buy the 'out sick' story that Cali girl gave us. Then she said Mr. Big Bad Red Hood sent her." Holly chuckled. "We almost booted her out on her ass, but she had Ma Gunn's direct number and she vouched for her."
"Sorry, didn't mean to freak you out."
"And that's when," Holly continued, eyes glittering, "we both knew what you were actually doing. Playing hookie for some nookie."
Dora groaned and rubbed her eyes with her the heels of her hand, knowing what was coming.
An impish grin stretched Holly's lips. "How was it? Was it everything you dreamed about? C'mon, I know you been thinking about it for weeks."
"I didn't…" Dora held Holly's gaze only one moment longer before she relented. "Alright, he was… amazing. But… he's actually much more than I bargained for."
"Really? His cock's too big?"
"What? No!" Dora said, blushing.
"Too small?" Holly looked inquisitive.
"Stop! That's not what I meant!'
"Oh, I get it. He wants it serious?"
Dora scoffed and rolled her eyes. "After everything that's happened, who he is… Holly, there's no way it can't be serious."
"I see." Holly pulled deep from her vape pen, digesting the meaning of her words. She blew smoke rings into the night air. After a while, she asked, "Do you love him?"
It felt like Holly had kicked her in the chest. Dora recovered her breath, and said, "Not yet."
"Why?"
"Because... if I love him… If I commit and make promises… and just give all of myself to him… then it means I'm okay with everything he's doing. With everything he's done. I'm not."
Holly snorted. "Coulda fooled me otherwise."
With all the decisions she was making lately, Dora could have fooled herself too. "He's too dangerous to commit to. If I commit, and then he gets caught or killed. . ." She thought of the last time Jason 'died.' She thought of Batman, and the GCPD. "It'd ruin me. So… there's no future for us."
Holly gave Dora a catlike grin. "Yet you just said there's no way it can't be serious with him."
Dora groaned and pressed her palms into her eyes. Her actions said one thing while her feelings said another. She was indulging in a fantasy. Every time she and Jason were together, she wasn't herself. Or maybe she was her true self with him. She couldn't tell, just like she couldn't tell what was good or bad anymore.
"Look, Holly. It's complicated. If he stops being Red Hood, then maybe… maybe it could be serious. I just have to wait until he's done." Dora wished she could tell Holly all the history she had with Jason, but she couldn't. She had said too much already. As supportive as Holly was, her eight-year old sister Mercy was better at keeping secrets.
Holly nodded grimly. "I get it, and I'm sorry..."
There was a pregnant pause.
"Sorry about what?" Dora asked.
"Your life is complicated enough and I don't want to pile on, but… I have something for you." Holly pulled something small out of her pocket and handed it to Dora.
A ring dropped into her hand.
It was rose gold.
"What's this?" Dora asked.
"Ma Gunn told me to give it you the next time I saw you." Holly studied her face. "She said you'd know what it meant."
Dora inspected the ring, rolling it around her fingers. It was small. The band was very thin and the ring was narrow, just able to fit around her pinky. It was very plain and modest, but it glittered under the streetlight.
There was an inscription on the inside of the band, so small, it was difficult to read. Dora adjusted her glasses and managed to read, "Memento mori" in fine lettering.
The bottom dropped out of her stomach and dread weighed on her chest. "Holly, everything I just said, Ma can't know."
"Okay, I promise." Holly could see the angst in her face. "What's that inscription mean?"
"Holly, I'm serious," Dora said, still staring at the ring. "I know you're loyal to Ma, but I need this whole conversation has to stay between us."
Holly held her hand. "Dora, I promise."
Dora took a breath. "The inscription is Latin."
"For?"
Dora tried to swallow, but her mouth was dry. "Remember that you will die."
Holly's eyes widened. "Ma's threatening you?"
Laughing bitterly, Dora slipped the ring onto the little finger of her right hand. "It's not a threat. This is a promise ring."
"For you and Red Hood?"
"No. Ma Gunn wants to remind me of her promise."
"What was it?" Holly asked.
"She told me, 'If you hurt him, I will kill you.'"
Notes
Song Reference: "Coming Home" by Avenged Sevenfold
I wanted to write a wholesome chapter in the midst all the romance. Also wanted it to serve as a reality check. Life goes on with or without your relationship to dark, broody, sexy vigilante.
This chapter was HEAVILY inspired by Dora's character influences. I drew deep for this one. Fiona from Shameless, Jane from Jane the Virgin, Chloe and Trixie from Lucifer and every woman in my life, family or friend, that works their ass off to provide for their family, and needs a fucking break... but still feels guilty whenever they take that personal time. Oddly enough, this chapter was written around Mother's Day.
Likes and comments, please! Next chapter is more Dora and Jason fluff. Then we get into some long-awaited action!
Version 41.1