Everyday
"What's so funny bout peace, love and understanding"
Gotham Heights
Proactive versus Reactive
We all like to believe we are proactive, that we are take charge of our lives type of people. It fits well with how we like to see ourselves. No one wants to think they are some passive worker bee just reacting to whatever comes their way.
The problem is this is business seminar, support group speak. It goes along with phrases like brainstorming, risk assessment, defining goals and owning your feelings. In the nice, neat structured world of flow charts and production graphs they seemed to bring a sense of order, a good model or framework for what you're trying to accomplish. Be Proactive, it sounds good and has become popular. There's a growth industry for motivational speakers all telling you to take charge of your life, tap that inner power and transform yourself. Tony Robbins, Wayne Dyer, Dr. Phil have made millions.
So there you are taking charge of your life, being proactive about your health by only buying fresh, organic foods from the local farmer's market and then someone, who thinks they are pressing the brake when they are pressing the gas, comes plowing into you. Go ahead, be proactive as Grandpa's bumper knocks you into the stack of watermelons and then runs over you.
Being Reactive is bad, passive; unproductive this mind set tells us. Being labeled reactive isn't a compliment to anyone, even a hero, yet don't most of us spend the better part of our day and life reacting to situations? It isn't how proactive we are when the woman we thought we were in love with breaks up with us; it's how we react that says what sort of person we are.
Life doesn't run on a set script, it's random, always changing, constantly knocking you down when you least expect it. The character of a person is defined by how they get back up, how they react.
Use the example of a hero confronted by two powerful, angry women, one wielding a sword. A proactive hero would act before they did, disarm the women and incapacitate them. Now add a few more details to the example. The women are the mother and mentor of your pretend wife. You have opened the door to them, half naked and sweating. Unfortunately, you've also used the phrase,' you couldn't get enough'. They wrongly, jump to the conclusion you have taken advantage of said pretend wife. You are innocent, but they are very angry.
Private lives tend to be messy, even for heroes. Their jobs are straightforward. Being proactive is easy in the face of an alien invasion or a super villain. It's like the world of the flow chart; everything is defined and neatly laid out. Good versus evil, right versus wrong. It's when they aren't being heroes that things get complicated. Like the rest of us, they are groping and struggling through life trying to make the best of it. They are reactive just like us in the face of the unknown and unexpected.
Making the feeble gesture to pull his robe tighter around him, Clark moved backwards into the living room. The two women slammed the door shut and advanced towards him. Hippolyta and Phillipus were clearly upset and out for blood. Clark could only imagine what was going through their minds at that moment and he was pretty sure he wasn't being cast in the best light. The sword pointed dangerously at his midsection was a good indication of that.
"Easy with the sword, General,' he said as calmly as possible. "This is all a big misunderstanding, I swear to you."
"Where is my daughter, Kryptonian,' Queen Hippolyta demanded. The thought that he might have taken advantage of her precious daughter was almost too much for Hippolyta to stand. In the moment she didn't care if he was Zeus himself, she would make him pay somehow for defiling her little moon and stars.
"She's not here, she had a shift on the Watchtower today,' Clark explained. "So you see it's not what you think."
He knew that even as angry as they both were, he could easily disarm them but that would just complicate matters more. His life had enough complications at the moment; he didn't need any new ones.
"Why are you half naked and sweating then,' Phillipus asked. She kept the sword pointed somewhere around his waist. At least, he hoped it was his waist.
"I wasn't really expecting guests so I was in the Jacuzzi."
He could see by their reactions they didn't know what a Jacuzzi was.
"Hot tub, I was in a hot tub,' he said, pointing out towards the patio. The two women looked where he was pointing and saw the steam coming off the Jacuzzi.
"Diana is really not here,' Hippolyta asked, still weary of him.
"No, and now if you'd put away that sword, perhaps we could talk about this?"
She was reluctantly to do it, but finally nodded to the General. Phillipus lowered the sword.
"Thank you, It is starting to get old having weapons drawn on me every time I see you, your Majesty."
"Are you trying to be funny, Kryptonian,' Hippolyta asked. "Is that really what you are doing?"
"Would you prefer I get angry,' Clark asked. "It wouldn't be that hard, believe me, I've had one of those weeks."
"No,' Hippolyta admitted. She was aware of just how powerful he was and now that her temper was in check again, the thought of him angry wasn't something she relished. "I apologize if I jumped to the wrong conclusion."
"I guess I can understand," Clark offered. "I know how protective of Diana you are."
"I'm her mother."
"My mother would do the same thing. Well, probably a shotgun not with a sword, but her reaction would be similar,' Clark said.
"Again, I apologize, Superman.'
"Thank you," Clark replied. "Um, General, the sword? Do you mind?"
"Oh, yes, of course,' Phillipus said as she put it away.
"Thanks, oh, by the way, it isn't a magical sword, is it,' Clark asked.
"No, it isn't."
"Yeah, kind of useless against me, but I appreciate you putting it away."
"We thought you had broken your word, Kryptonian,' Hippolyta explained. "My apologies. You haven't broken you promise, have you?"
"No! No, no, no, ma'am, I haven't," Clark quickly said. "I wouldn't, ever. I swear."
"Good."
Some of the tension eased, but they were all still on edge.
"Um, ah well, I guess I should say, welcome,' Clark offered. "Did Diana know you were coming?
"No, we wanted to surprise her,' Hippolyta said. "Well, both of you."
"I was surprised, really surprised,' Clark admitted.
The General was taking in the room, letting her eyes move over the furnishings and decor.
"This is quite a lovely home, Kryptonian,' General Phillipus offered, as she gazed around the living room.
"Thank you, but I can't take credit for it, Diana really picked everything out."
"Diana did this,' Hippolyta asked, taking in the room for the first time. She moved over to one of the side tables and stood for a moment just looking at it. Reaching down, Hippolyta adjusted two of the items and then gave a satisfied nod. Clark gave a little smile at this, but quickly wiped it from his lips.
"It seems the Princess has an eye for decorating," Phillipus offered.
"Yes, yes she does,' Hippolyta replied, a smile of pride coming to her lips. The two women continued around the room looking at everything. Clark watched this and was about to offer them a tour of the place, but then remembered there was only one bedroom. He decided to leave that for Diana when she got back.
"If you'll excuse me for a moment, I'll change,' he said.
"Yes, please,' Hippolyta replied.
Clark was just about to head upstairs when he registered what they were wearing.
"Um, are you, ah, well, trying something new with your wardrobe,' he diplomatically asked.
'Yes, we wanted to blend in,' Phillipus replied. Several comments passed through his mind, but he wisely kept them to himself.
"Um, ah, aces,' he weakly said and gave them the thumb's up. Aces? Clark shook his head as he turned and walked up the steps. Jeez, now I'm talking like Kara, he mused.
When he was upstairs, curiosity got the better of Hippolyta and Phillipus. They began to explore. The Queen ran her fingers over the fabric of the couch, impressed.
"It seems my daughter has talents we didn't know of."
"Yes, I don't remember her ever expressing any interest in design back home,' the General offered.
"Well, she was always artistic as a child,' Hippolyta countered. "I like to think she got her good taste from me."
"Yes, my Queen."
"Don't be obtuse, Phillipus, I have always had an eye for the arts and the finer things in life and apparently so does my daughter,' Hippolyta explained. "Although, I would move just a few of these things, they don't seem to be in the right place."
The Queen shifted several of the smaller items and then smile in satisfaction.
"Much better."
"You are correct it is obvious Diana is your daughter, Hippolyta,' the General said with a smile.
They moved into the kitchen and stood looking, admiring how spacious it was.
"I don't believe the Royal kitchens have such a wide variety of pans, do you, Phillipus?"
"No, they are quite nice,' the General offered.
"Do you think Diana has learned how to cook,' Hippolyta asked.
Phillipus moved over and ran her fingers over several of the pans.
"I believe her skills in that area are on par with yours, my Queen."
" Very amusing, General," Hippolyta replied. "I don't recall you spending much time over an open hearth either."
"That's true,' Phillipus admitted. "They are a nice collection of pots and pans though."
"Yes."
They stood for a moment looking at them, and then out of the corner of Hippolyta's eye she spotted a bowl of blueberries.
"Why doesn't it surprise me she has these here,' she said with a smile.
"I can still remember your expression when you saw her covered in their juice as a child,' Phillipus chuckled.
"I wasn't really that angry,' Hippolyta admitted. "She looked so adorable it was hard not to smile."
'You know this trip was worth it just to see the look on Superman's face when he opened the door,' Phillipus said and then chuckled a bit.
"I may have overreacted telling you to pull you sword,' Hippolyta replied, a smile coming to her face.
"I thought he was going to have a heart attack when you demanded to know where Diana was,' Phillipus continued, starting to laugh a bit harder.
"Well he won't be thinking of taking advantage of Diana any time soon, that is for sure,' Hippolyta offered, starting to chuckle herself.
"I would imagine he'll make sure to keep an extra distance from the Princess,' Phillipus replied.
"Then we've already been successful, haven't we,' Hippolyta said, now starting to really laugh.
"I can explain,' Phillipus said, mimicking Clark's reaction and holding out her hands as he had. This only made Hippolyta laugh harder.
"Did you see him try and close his robe,' she said through her laughter.
"I kept my sword pointed a little low just for effect,' Phillipus admitted. This brought tears to their eyes as they leaned against each other laughing.
"I don't believe he thought you were aiming for his stomach,' Hippolyta barely managed to say.
"I wasn't."
The two women leaned against each other as laughter overwhelmed them. Tears were rolling down their cheeks.
"Oh, Goddess, I haven't laugh like that in a long time,' Hippolyta finally said. "I'm so glad we made this trip."
"Thank you for inviting me, Hippolyta, it promises to be very interesting,' Phillipus replied.
"Yes, it does,' Hippolyta said. "I suppose we should go back out and talk to my 'son-in-law' and make sure he's all right."
"You know, the Princess could do a lot worse than him as a husband, my Queen," Phillipus offered.
"As much as a dislike the idea, I suppose you are right," Hippolyta admitted. "Don't ever tell Diana I said that."
"I doubt the Princess would believe me even if I did tell her."
"True."
Clark was just coming down the stairs, tucking in his white shirt as the two women walked back into the living room. He noticed they were both smiling and seemed much more relaxed than before.
"Um, everything okay,' he tentatively asked.
"Yes, you have a lovely home, Superman,' Hippolyta replied. Her smile got a little bigger and if he didn't know better he would have sworn the General was trying hard not to laugh.
"About that,' he slowly began. "As part of this 'bet' we supposed to be undercover, so would you mind calling me Clark while you are here?"
"Clark?"
"Yes, Clark Kent, that's my name,' he replied.
"I thought it was Kal-El,' Phillipus asked.
"It is."
"I thought it was Superman,' Hippolyta asked.
"Yeah, it is."
"How many names do you have, Kryptonian?"
"While I'm here, just one, Clark Kent, so if you would use it, I'd really appreciate it."
"If you wish,' Hippolyta said.
"I wish."
Before they could say anything more, the doorbell rang.
"Are you expecting guest, Super-Clark,' Hippolyta asked, correcting herself.
"No, I wasn't expecting anyone today, but then nothing has been going like I planned lately," he admitted. "If you'll just excuse me a moment, I'll see who it is."
The two women just nodded and Clark went to the front door. He opened it to find LuAnn and three of the other women from the neighborhood standing there. Young Tommy was also with them.
"Hi, Clark, I thought that was your car in the driveway,' LuAnn cheerfully said and then hugged him.
"Ah, hi, um, LuAnn,' Clark fumbled to say. "What-What are you doing here?"
"Well, Betty is Tommy's mother and he was gushing all about how much fun he was having in your swimming pool and how nice you were to him,' LuAnn explained.
"And Mrs. Kent too,' Tommy spoke up.
"Right, her too," LuAnn said. "Anyway, we were all sitting around and it's so hot out today that we thought we'd come over and ask if you wouldn't mind if we used your pool!"
"Well, it's really not a good time,' Clark started, but LuAnn cut him off.
"You remember Jenny and Dottie, don 't you? Oh, and of course Betty and Tommy!"
"Ah, not really,' Clark said as he shook hands with the women.
"You have such a lovely house,' Jenny said with a shy smile.
"Thank you."
"We hope we're not intruding,' Dottie added.
"Well."
"Is it okay, Clark,' LuAnn asked, standing very close to him and smiling. "I just bought a new bikini and I've been dying to try it. I want your opinion on it."
"As I was saying this really isn't the best time,' Clark offered, but LuAnn was already making her way inside, followed by the others.
"Oh, you have guests already,' LuAnn said, finally seeing Hippolyta and Phillipus.
"Yes, he does,' Hippolyta said rather formally.
"Aren't you going to introduce us, Clark," LuAnn asked.
He shook his head, visions of the peace and quiet of the Fortress coming to his mind.
"Um, this is Diana's mother and um, ah …"
"Aunt,' General Phillipus supplied.
"Right, her aunt," Clark repeated.
"Her mother?"
"Yes, I'm her mother,' Hippolyta said forcefully.
"You look like her sister," Jenny said, moving next to LuAnn. "It's amazing how young you look!"
"Thank you."
"You must tell me who your plastic surgeon is,' LuAnn added. "He does amazing work."
"Excuse me,' Hippolyta replied.
"Are you models too, like Mrs. Kent,' Tommy spoke up.
"Who?' Both Hippolyta and Phillipus asked.
"Diana,' Clark quickly offered.
"Oh, um, no, we are not models."
"Why not,' Tommy asked. The two women fumbled for an answer, but thankfully LuAnn was already pressing ahead.
"I'm LuAnn Vinton from across the street," she said, offering her hand. "These ladies also live in the neighborhood. That's Betty and that's Jenny and of course, that's Dottie.'
"Pretty,' Dottie absently said as she shook Hippolyta's hand. She immediately blushed with embarrassment.
"Ah, thank you,' the Queen replied.
"I'm Tommy,' the young boy said to them.
"Hello Tommy,' Hippolyta said with a smile, bending down to shake his hand. The General followed her example.
"Are all the women where you come from as pretty as you and Mrs. Kent are,' he asked. The two women smiled even wider at this.
"Yes, most of them are, Tommy."
"You definitely need to give me the name of your plastic surgeon," LuAnn said. "His work is just amazing. I can't believe are Diana's mother."
"I'd like his name too," Betty added.
The two Amazons raised an eyebrow at this and then looked at Clark.
"You do look amazing for you age," he offered with a shrug.
"Thank you, Su-Clark,' Phillipus said with a smile.
"So can we use the pool, Clark," LuAnn asked. "Please?"
All eyes were on him now.
"I promise not to push you in this time,' Tommy said.
Clark smiled at the young boy and then nodded.
"Yeah, I suppose it would be alright."
"OH, thank you, Clark, I knew you were a great guy,' LuAnn said and then kissed him. The General and Queen watched this rather intently.
"Yes, thank you, Clark,' the other women added. Tommy was already racing out to the pool and the others followed him. LuAnn stepped over to one of the deck chairs and pulled off her wrap. She had a rather shockingly small red bikini on. She turned and smiled at Clark.
"So what do you think, Clark,' she asked with a suggestive smile. "Tell me the truth now."
"Very nice,' he offered. She smiled and blew him a kiss before moving over to the other women. Hippolyta and Phillipus stepped up next to him.
"She seems very friendly,' Phillipus said.
"Yes, especially towards you, 'Clark'," Hippolyta added. "Very friendly."
Gotham
Zatanna and Constantine walked into her hotel. They were just coming back from dinner.
"Well, you paid, that was surprising,' she said. "The greasy spoon diner, not so much."
"I like the atmosphere of the place,' he said.
"You mean that you can smoke there,' she replied.
"Well, there is that."
"So thanks for dinner, John," Zee said as they stopped in front of the elevator.
"My pleasure,' he replied and then looked up at the numbers above the elevator. "So are you going to invite me up?"
"Are you serious,' she said.
'Yeah, why not?"
"You take me for a sandwich and a cup of coffee and you think you're coming up to my room," Zee replied. "What are you delusional?"
"Is that a no?"
"Yes, it's a no! I don't believe you,' she gasped. "Get the hell out of here, Constantine!"
"You know you were much nicer when you were younger,' he offered. "Back then you would have invited me up."
"Well, I was stupid back then,' she countered. "Thanks for dinner, but this is the end of the line. Bye!"
"I think I liked you better back then,' he grumbled.
'I'll just bet you did."
"Are you sure I can't change your mind,' Constantine asked. "You know, for old time sake?"
"I'd rather give you money,' Zee fired back.
"Okay."
"Good bye, Constantine!"
The elevator doors opened and Zee got on. She held up her hand to make sure he didn't try and follow.
"So the money's out of the question, too," he asked.
Zee just glared at him as the door closed. Constantine smiled, lit a cigarette and headed for the exit. He gave a small sideways glance as he took a drag, but didn't stop.
Stepping from the shadows, Bruce Wayne watched Constantine go. He glanced at the elevator and then turned and left out the back way.
The Watchtower
Mari, John and Shayera were sitting at a table together as Wally came dashing in. He saw them and smiled, before taking a seat at the table.
"Well, isn't this interesting,' he said with a grin.
"We're just having lunch, Wally,' John replied.
"As a threesome,' Wally offered.
"Do you turn everything into a sexual innuendo,' John asked.
"No, but this was tailor made, come on."
"What are you doing here, Wally,' Mari asked.
"I was looking for Shayera,' he explained. She seemed surprised by this.
"Me? Why?"
He held up two tickets and smiled at her.
"I got tickets from Zee for her show in Gotham and I wanted to see if you'd go with me."
"You what,' John asked.
"Tickets! I wanted to see if Shayera wanted to go to the show with me,' Wally repeated much louder. "First Supes, then Diana, now you, someone should talk to Ray about checking the hearing of you people."
"Why me,' Shayera asked.
"Well, I was thinking, with those wings you couldn't go incognito, so it would give me an excuse to go in costume,' Wally explained. "You get to see Zee's show and I get to look extra cool at the same time. It's a win-win."
"Well, I would like to see Zee's show,' Shayera mused.
"You're not seriously thinking of accepting, are you,' John asked.
"Why not,' Shayera asked.
"Yes, why not, John,' Mari added.
"Well, it's just that, well, if you had said you wanted to go, you could have went with Mari and me,' John fumbled to explain.
"There's the threesome again,' Wally chuckled. "Don't tell me I'm the only one thinking it."
John glared at him but didn't say anything.
'I think I'll accept, Wally,' Shayera said. "I never like hiding my wings anyway, so you're on."
"It's a date,' he cheerfully said. "I'll see you show night!"
He quickly dashed out of the room, leaving the three.
"You are really going on a date with Wally,' John asked, still not believing it.
"Yes, why,' Shayera asked.
"Yes, John, why,' Mari said.
Gotham
Black Canary hid in the shadows watching the motorcycle gang unload crate after crate from several large trucks. If her information from Oracle was correct, then those crates were filled with illegal arms. There was enough on those trucks to start a small army. She scanned the group again with her binoculars but didn't see Ramón, the leader that had torched the women's shelter. Dinah dearly wanted to get her hands on him, but was willing to settle for disrupting their operations.
She didn't even hear him until he was next to her.
"Thank you for waiting,' Batman said. She gave a little start, but quickly composed herself.
"I thought you'd changed your mind,' she said.
"I just had to check on something first, " he replied. He quickly turned the conversation to the situation at hand. "So they are trafficking in guns now. I guess the Lost Souls motorcycle gang is trying to step up to the big leagues."
"Then they are going to strike out tonight,' she said. He turned and looked at her.
"Did you really just say that?"
"It was a one liner, like in the movies,' she offered. "Heroes do it all the time."
"I guess it's better than ring-a-ding-ding,' he replied.
"Don't mention him, please,' she growled.
"What is it with you and him,' Batman asked. "I know he's crazy, but you really seem to dislike him."
"There's just something about him that irritates me,' she admitted. "It's like that Beyoncé song Single Ladies - Put A Ring On It, if I have to hear that one more time I'm going to climb the walls. Only it's worse with him cause I can't change the channel."
"I didn't realize you had such strong feelings about it. You really don't like him, do you?"
"No! I don't even know what it is, really, he just grates on my last nerve,' Dinah said.
"Are you sure this isn't really about Ollie,' Batman asked.
"What? That came out of left field, Batman,' she replied.
"It's just that I know you two are having problems."
"Not that it's any of your business, but what's going on between Ollie and me has nothing to do with Plastic Man,' Dinah said. "It's just that everything about him is like a dentist drill boring into my brain. Haven't you ever met anyone that just gets under your skin and irritates you?"
"Yes, of course,' he replied. "But I have noticed you've been on edge lately and it can't all be because of Plastic Man."
"This really doesn't seem like the best time to have a relationship talk, Bruce,' Dinah said. "Besides, you aren't exactly the best person for it, are you?"
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?"
"Could we talk about this some other time, Bruce? Let's focus on the people transporting illegal arms, please?"
"Fine."
"Thank you. Now how do you want to work this, 'she asked.
"I thought we could start with something like this,' he said. Pulling Batarangs from his utility belt, Batman tossed them towards the front and back trucks. "Get ready to let loose with a scream in 5. 4. 3. 2. 1."
The two trucks exploded, as the two heroes moved into action. Dinah let loose a scream shattering the warehouse doors and sending the bikers scrambling for cover.
Gotham Heights
Diana effortless took the turn into the community, barely slowly down to wave at the police officer hiding behind the Welcome sign. He feebly waved back as she disappeared down the street. Diana found she really liked driving. She had the top down and could feel the wind in her hair as the motor roared, propelling her through the streets. She had finished her shift and didn't feel like lingering on the station. She smiled as she thought about returning home. Home, how strange it was that after only a week she was thinking of their house in the suburbs as home it occurred to her. Maybe it was just the fact that it was the first place she'd ever lived that entirely reflected her tastes. She wondered if everyone felt this way about his or her first apartment or home.
Her time on the station had been good. She had been able to really use her powers for the first time in a week and it felt wonderful. She had to admit to herself that part of what Bruce had said was turning out to be right. Not using her gifts felt unnatural to her. She was able to do it so far, but had been reminded today of how much she enjoyed using them to help others. They were so much a part of who she was. Diana wondered if Bruce realized how much she actually had to control them everyday?
She was almost as strong as Kal was, but everyone seemed to forget that. It hadn't been as much of an issue on Themyscira with her sisters, but since she'd arrived in the Man's World, she had to be constantly vigilant not to use too much strength or she could easily hurt ordinary people. They were so fragile, one slip could do serious damage. It was one of the reasons she liked hitting Kal, as she didn't have to worry about hurting him. A smile came to her face as she thought about it.
Diana slowed down, as she got closer to her street, not wanting to get another lecture from him about driving too fast. He seemed obsessed with the idea that a ball was going to roll out in front of her and all Hell was going to break loose. As she turned onto their street she noticed many of her neighbors were standing in their yards as she passed. They all smiled and wave to her. It was strange that it predominantly men, but Diana just put it down as this being a friendly area.
Her mind flashed back to her verbal sparring with Bruce and a smile came to her lips. It felt different this time with him, she felt much more confident in her arguments and herself. Yes, it had only been a week, but she was proving something not just to him, but also to herself.
As she pulled into her driveway, Wally's comment about Zatanna wanting to date Kal came back to her. Diana liked Zatanna and thought of the younger woman as a friend, but the idea of her dating Kal didn't sit right with her. Yes, Zatanna was a beautiful young woman and many men would be interested in dating her, but she seemed all wrong for Kal in Diana's opinion. Parking the car, Diana dismissed this idea, as Kal was already dating Lois, so the point was moot.
As she got out of the car, the front door opened and Kal stepped outside. He leaned against the frame and watched her walk up the walkway.
"Hello, Kal, how was your day,' Diana asked with a smile.
"Interesting," he replied. "Oh, you have guests, Diana."
"I do? Who?"
"I think I'll let that be a surprise,' he said. "I want you to enjoy this as much as I have."
"Very well," Diana replied, not getting what he was hinting at.
"After you, Princess,' he said with a smile, stepping to the side and holding his hand out to usher her into the house.
"Kal! I've warned you,' Diana started, but he held up his hand.
"I think it's appropriate today."
"What?"
"Just come on inside."
Diana gave him a look as she entered the house. She stopped at the edge of the living room. Sitting on the couch drinking glasses of wine were Hippolyta and Phillipus.
"Mother? General?"
"Aunt." Clark corrected her.
"What?"
"She's your aunt, just go with it."
A rather confused Diana stepped into the living room, shocked at the sight of her mother and General Phillipus. She heard the sound of splashing and turned to see the neighbor women out by the pool. Jenny and Dottie waved and Diana half-heartedly waved back.
"What-What are you doing here, mother,' Diana finally asked.
"Just visiting my daughter and son-in-law,' Hippolyta replied with a smile.
"Are you checking up on me,' Diana asked, not liking this one bit.
"Can't a mother want to see where her daughter is living?"
"You have quite a lovely house, Princess, I mean Diana,' Phillipus offered.
"Thank you, General."
"Aunt Phillipus." Clark and the two women corrected Diana.
"What?"
"Since you are pretending to be married, we thought for this visit we would pretend as well,' Hippolyta explained. "We're just your mother and aunt coming for a visit."
Diana balled up her hands in fists as the anger rose inside her. Clark stood back with his arms crossed and a smile on his face.
"Isn't this nice,' he said. "I think I'll just run out and get us all something to eat. I'll let you three have some alone time."
Diana turned to him with an expression that clearly said she was not happy. He gave her his most innocent smile and headed out the front door. When he closed it behind him, she turned back to her mother and 'aunt'.
"What are you really doing here, mother?"
"Just what I said, visiting,' Hippolyta said, smiling sweetly. "How about a tour of where you are living, daughter?"
"Mother!"
The patio door opened before they could continue and LuAnn popped her head in.
"Oh, hello, Diana, isn't Clark here,' she asked. "I was hoping he would help me put on some suntan lotion."
"He stepped out,' Diana replied, barely holding her temper.
"Oh, that's too bad," LuAnn said with a pout. "Well, when he gets back, could you send him out? Thanks!"
She closed the door and went back to the pool. Diana stood looking at her. Hippolyta stepped over to her daughter and looked out at LuAnn as well.
"I don't like that one,' Hippolyta remarked.
"I don't either,' Diana admitted. Neither of them were smiling.
"So how about that tour,' Phillipus said, trying to change the subject.