Harley glared after the limousine, then opened her book. She found Bruce's card, ripped it up, and tossed the pieces into the gutter. She then entered the apartment building, heading up the stairs to the front door of her home. It was opened suddenly by her father.
"Harley, whose limousine was that you just got out of?" he asked in surprise.
"You spying on me now, Dad?" asked Harley
"It's a pretty big deal seeing a limousine around here," said Harley's father. "It's something you notice. And then when your daughter climbs out of it, you really notice."
"It was Bruce Wayne's," retorted Harley. "He gave me a ride home."
"Bruce Wayne?" repeated Harley's father. "Wayne Enterprises Bruce Wayne? The billionaire philanthropist?"
"Yeah, that's how he introduces himself too," sighed Harley. "Real unpleasant guy, though. He only gave me a ride home so he could try to make a move on me. Which I rejected, Dad, don't worry," she added.
"Well, I wouldn't actually mind you dating Bruce Wayne," said Harley's father. "The guy's rich. He could give you a whole new life, a great life. You could see the world with that kinda money, not be stuck in this dump."
"Yeah, I'd be stuck in an even bigger dump with a guy I couldn't stand," retorted Harley. "I've told you, Dad, money doesn't matter to me. I can already see the world through my books. And the only way I'd wanna see it outside of them is with someone I really loved, not some idiot playboy. You're the one who taught me that finding love was the only way to be truly happy in life. All of Bruce Wayne's money won't mean a thing if I don't love him."
"I know, sweetheart," sighed Harley's father. "I just kinda wish I could see you settled and happy and provided for. I ain't getting any younger, you know."
"Well, I'll be providing more than enough for myself and you soon enough," said Harley, hugging him reassuringly. "Assuming I get into the psychology program at Gotham University on that scholarship, of course."
"Speaking of that, you got a letter from them," said Harley's father, gesturing to an envelope on the table.
Harley picked it up, her hands shaking in nervousness as she tore open the envelope. She took out the letter, took a deep breath, and then unfolded it. Her eyes scanned the note, and she released the breath in a sigh of relief.
"I got it!" she cried, turning to her father and beaming. "I got in on the scholarship, all expenses paid! I'm going to college, Dad!" she shouted, leaping into his arms.
"Aw, honey, that's great news!" he exclaimed, hugging her fiercely. "I'm so proud of you! And Mommy would be too."
Harley felt tears come to her eyes. "I wish she was here to see this," she murmured.
"Oh, sweetheart, so do I," he murmured, stroking her hair. "But she's always here, in our hearts, as long as we love her. Nothing can take her away from us there."
Harley nodded, sniffling. "I'm so glad you're here too, Daddy," she whispered. "I dunno what I'd do if I lost you."
"Well, I ain't going anywhere, not for a long time," he said, firmly. "But you are, Little Miss College!" he added, beaming at her. "You're going places, and that calls for a celebration! C'mon, I'll take you out to dinner!"
"Daddy, we can't afford that," said Harley, wiping her eyes.
"We can tonight," he said, nodding. "I'm heading to Metropolis first thing tomorrow morning to meet with a client to sign over the deed for his new car. The money from that sale is gonna be more than enough to pay the rent this month, and treat you to a special celebratory dinner. As long as it ain't anyplace too fancy, of course."
"You know me, Daddy - I ain't a girl with fancy tastes," said Harley, kissing his cheek.
"You're your mother's daughter, all right!" he laughed.
"So you're gonna be home late tomorrow night?" asked Harley. "Should I make something you can heat up for dinner?"
"Nah, I'll eat on the road," he said. "Not that I don't trust your cooking, sweetheart."
"I've been getting better," retorted Harley. "But it's hard to be a good cook in comparison to Mommy."
"It sure is, sweetheart," he agreed. "Anyway, I'll probably be back long past dinnertime, and any decent person's bedtime. It's a long drive to and from Metropolis, you know."
"Well, I won't head to bed until I know you're safe home," said Harley, hugging him.
"Anything you want me to bring you back from the big city?" he asked.
"It ain't much bigger than Gotham," retorted Harley. "And nope, I don't want any present except you coming back to me, safe and sound."
"I promise, sweetheart," he said, kissing her forehead gently. "Now go get ready."
Harley skipped off to her tiny room, filled to the brim with books. There was a small mirror opposite her bed, and stuck to the glass was a picture of her and her father and mother, before her mother had died of cancer last year. The pain was still very raw, but the one upside of the horrible ordeal was that it had brought Harley and her father even closer together. He was all she had left now, and vice versa, and they were both desperately afraid of losing each other. Harley couldn't bear the thought of leaving him, which is why she had applied to go to college in Gotham, so she could stay at home with him while she studied. She wanted to get her degree in psychology and become a doctor, so her father could retire from selling cars, a job he hated and got paid very little for, and Harley could provide for both of them instead. And getting into the psychology program on a scholarship was the first step in making that dream a reality. She would do anything to keep her father safe and protected.
And very soon, she was going to have to.