"I've been expecting you..."
A women appeared in the doorframe. An older woman, short, but slender, the womans hair was short, like a curly bob from the sixities, reaching her ears. Mostly red, with greys embedded. The woman leaned down, looking Audrey in the eyes. "It's nice to meet you, Audrey. I'm Mary Ann," The women gently smiled. The women grasped Audreys hands in hers.
She inveted them inside. It was a small house, filled with pastels and other light, bubbly colors. Many pinks, baby blues. An island countertop in the back, the living room was yellow and white, with a small, little white cat asleep on the couch.
"Please, sit down," Mary Ann suggested, gesturing to the couch. Audrey looked up at Clark, looking for an approval. Audrey walked to the couch, sitting by the cat. She put her hand out caustiously, but smiled as the cat merely sniffed it and went back to sleep, none to concerned.
"I see," Mary Ann sipped her tea, listening to Audrey's explaination as to what had happened to her mother. Mary Ann was quiet for a moment, before smiling. "Audrey sweety, I have a room down the hall," She said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Why don't you check it out, tell me what you think?" She suggested. Audrey hopped off the couch, excited. She raced down the hall, turning into a room. She then walked out, before finding the right room.
Audrey looked around. The room was old. Old posters, old furniture, an even an old dollhouse. She looked around, taking every detail in. It was only then did it hit her. This was her mothers old room. Everything in the room was her mothers. she ran her hand along the old bed, before dropping her head into it. It smelled like her. Audrey felt tears swell in her eyes. buried her face into the bed, softly crying.
"Ma'am," Clark fixed his glasses, setting his cup of tee on the coffee table. "Audrey...She was found by Superman," He stated, cutting to the point. "Superman saying random children? Never heard that one before," She laughed. "Whats the occasion," She joked, taking another sip of tea. Clark clasped his hands together, looking her in the eye. "Well, it's not everyday some runaway blazes up an apartment" He revealed.
Mary Ann almost chocked on her beverage. "F-fire?!" She gasped. "She...She started a fire?!" her asked, her voice down to a whisper. "That's right ma'am," Clark stated, fixing his glasses again.
"I wanted to talk too you about Claire," Clark said. "What can you tell me about her childhood?"
Mary Ann looked down into her tea cup, not wanting to face him. "Claire was always a special child," She finally said, after a long silence. "She could start fires on her own. Henry and I thought it was great, but... as she got stronger, it got uncontrollable," She said. "After she accidentally set the tree in the backyard on fire, we knew it was time to send her away," She said.
"The telepathic research institute?" Clark questioned. Mary Ann nodded her head.
"But, she disappeared," Mary Ann's voice reached higher pitch. She dabbed her eyes with a napkin. "Henry and I were devastated," She continued.
"Henry?" Clark questioned. "My husband," Mary Ann answered. "He passed away three years ago. Heart attack,".
"But, cutting to the chase," Clark said, pulling out an envelope. Mary Ann opened it, revealing criminal records of her daughter.
"Claire...was a criminal?" She asked, shaken. Clark shook his head. "not a criminal. Just, in a bad position," He explained. Her pulled out some more papers. "And I don't want to Audrey in a 'bad position'," He explained. "Superman gave this too me, in regards of Audrey," He said. Mary Ann read the letter. "A scholarship...?" She questioned, confused. "A scholarship, in case Audrey wishes to go somewhere more high priority," He explained. "But, there's a catch. Superman wishes to see that Audrey be registered in the justice league data base," He said.
Mary Ann looked astonished. "You mean...become a superhero?" She asked.
"Well, yes," He said. "There's a friend of mine near Gotham, which is close to here. Retired, but still strong. He would be able to train her," He said.
Mary Ann simply shook her head. "Are you sure? This seems crazy..." She trailed off. Clark simply smiled. "I, and Superman, both feel she would make a great hero," He assured her.
"I'll think about it," Mary Ann finally said. "But, that isn't a 'yes', alright?" She said.
Clark smiled. "Of course, ma'am," He said. He pulled a small card from the envelope, along with a plug in computer chip. "But, if you agree, give these to the man," He said. She looked at the card. "Who's Ted Grant?"
Audrey walked into the hall, seeing Clark getting up to leave. "Clark!" She rushed over, hugging the mans legs. "Do you have to go?" She said. She rested her head against his leg. "Can't you stay a little longer?" She asked. Clark chuckled, before leaning down and rubbing her head. "I'll come and visit," He smiled. "I promise," Walking out the door, he waved before returning to the taxi.
"Mary Ann," Audrey looked up the women, who only turned, smiling. "Please, call me Grannie," She whispered.
She bent down, lowering herself to Audrey's level. She cupped her face with each hand, moving some hair out of the way. "You look just like her..." Mary Ann's eyes teared as she spoke.
"You have her hair. Her big, thick, lion's mane of orange," She laughed, tears rolling down her face. Audrey pulled the woman into a hug, holding her close.
"It's nice to meet you, Audrey,"