I noticed Ted had lost his usual spring in his step as we approached Holly. He must be worried of my latest caper to change Crime Alley. I know it probably will not work but it was my only shot on Gotham's most vile villains. Like smelling salts these only awake to the very darkest of sins- Greed, Gluttony and Pride. I delt my best hand and am hoping for the best. The Joker never paid much attention to the business world. Money was not his attraction. He enjoys pain. Inflicting and even receiving it. I hope to pass under his radar with this coup.
We stop in front of Holly rosey cheeked and bubbly. Her damp towel is drapped over her strong shoulders.
"Good practice." she says.
"Great pupil!" Ted remarks while walking solemnly to the water cooler and grabbing a cup making it appear Keebler size in proportion to his mammoth hands.
I reflect back at the days events. I had no choice involving Holly. Like it or not she would have found our what I was up to and gone uninvited . I chuckled thinking how she was like me.
I remember just as if it was yesterday that I took her in at the age of 13. I never knew it would build into a lasting and one of the closest relationships I have ever had. She is like a daughter, a best friend, she makes me proud. Holly soon became quite protective of me. I was the only person who had ever protected her. The feeling was mutual. I had worried at first she would bail on me but the kid stuck around. She even cleaned up, got off the drugs, and turned into a strong and willful woman. I almost hugged her. I am not big on PDA (public displays of affection)
"Good job Hallz" was the best I could muster with a dry scratchy throat.
I watched her eyes glow at my words. Yeah. I knew this feeling all too well. I made a promise never to let her feel as I did as a child. No matter what I did my mother just never seemed to notice, never seemed to care. I excelled in academics, proficiently played the piano, I was an exceptional child but she never noticed. The only ones that showered me with affection where my mother's cats. They became my closest family, my bonds of affection, my sanity through through adolescency and then yet again saved my through death in the alley.
I shower Holly in praise. I make sure she wants for nothing. I make sure she has a better life than I did. I once tried to shut her out and almost lost her. She seems to look up to me even at times when I don't want to look at my reflection in the mirror.
Now I keep no secrets from her....Well, okay one and that ends now.
