“Hmm…” I lick my finger of the residual ice cream from the ice cream cone Jason had treated me to after our dinner at Lenny’s as Jason and I walk up the sidewalk to my home. He’s still eating his and I tilt my head looking at him before I jump up the stairs, the sky was now dark and the stars barely visible through distant glow of the city lights.
“Have a good time?” He asks leaning nonchalantly against the porch column, finishing off his ice cream cone.
I plop down on the porch swing, my hands on its edge as I lean forward and thrust my shoulder forward resting my chin on it as I smile up at him.
“You have to ask?”
He smiles and takes a seat next to me, putting his arm along the back of the swing casually as he looks out over our dark yard the crickets chirping in a high tuned symphony.
“A guy can never be to safe.” he says.
I lean back in the corner of the swing, barely out of his arm’s reach.
“To tell you the truth I enjoyed being able to forget what’s waiting for me inside.” I say thinking about what tongue lashing mom would have ready for me. I sigh, I hate this feeling of being neglected, the complete frustration of not being able to do
anything. Makes me want to scream...ah! There it is again...the finely tuned cliché that the whole world uses but I can’t even think about. I shudder thinking about my small slip in the kitchen a few days ago with Howard. I could have killed him or burst his eardrums. Nothing hurt more than the shocked look on his face though.
A bird in the front yard tree tweets quietly, it’s last song of the evening. I sigh.
“I wouldn’t worry to much. She was more scared than upset, besides I’m sure Slam was able to talk her down.”
“You don’t know my mother, she can be a volcano when she want’s to be.”
Liar, maybe once not anymore. After dad died she lost all personality and practically became a shadow of what she once was, no color, only blues and blacks. She won’t admit it but even as she pushed her Black Canary persona away she also embraced the solitariness of it.
Jason stretched and stood up, I followed suit and allowed him to lead me to the door.
“So this is it.” He said.
I twist my mouth a little, I hate for this evening to end, even though my mind is weighted down somehow being with Jason and just having fun with someone near my own age was fun. It sort of reminded me of teenaged years I never really had.
“You want to come in for a little while? If only for some protection against my mother?”
Jason opened his mouth to say something as the door opened.
“Thought I heard voices.” I turned to see Howard looking through the screen door at us. His serious face turning even more stony as he looked Jason up and down surveying very small gap of air between us.
Jason scratched his head and took a step back. I looked back and forth between them, despite them being the same age Jason seemed to be chastised about something.
“Is that Dinah?” I lean back and see Josh behind Howard in the hallway and I wave, smiling.
“Hey Josh!” I say lightly as Howard opens the screen door. I catch it and start to motion Jason inside before he puts his arm over me and grabs the door allowing me to duck past him and into the entry way.
“Dinah! I was so worried!” I turn as mom comes through the family room entry way and embraces me. I close my eyes and rest my chin on her shoulder taking in the light floral fragrance that my mother always seems to carry with her wherever she goes. The smell taking me back to my childhood, with the mental weight on me it makes me want to bury my face in her hair and cry.
“There you are Dinah, we were so worried about you.”
I jerk my head up to see Helena standing in the doorway, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders and onto her ample bosom. Her slender figure accentuated by a tight, sleeveless dress. Great
just what I needed.
“What is this a funeral? Did you call everyone?”
“Took all of us to keep mom from calling some friends to track you down.” Howard said a little harshly, obviously staying civil only because of Helena and Jason’s presence. Josh seemed to be taking it all in stride and stepped over to put his arm around me and Mom.
“Don’t be to hard on her, it’s not like you never ran away.” Josh said.
Howard made a *pft* sound.
“I can defend myself against things. Dinah’s a girl.” I spun around, anger welling up in me and my fist tight at my side.
Josh put his hand on my shoulder and merely glanced over his shoulder at Howard.
“I doubt that.” He said quietly before facing forward again and smiling at Helena over mine and moms heads.
“Helena, would you mind getting some coffee and tea?” He asked. I stared up at Josh, he was more than my brother, he was my guardian. While Howard and I bickered with each other Josh made sure we were always safe. He turned into a mini father. While I could count on Ted and Slam to dish out fatherly advice and protection when the need called for it Josh was there twenty-four seven and was always there to smooth over fights and remind Mom what it was like to be young. I looked over at Helena as she smiled and left quickly for the kitchen and
she was taking him away from me.
Jason cleared his throat, and Josh turned.
“Oh..Jason right? You’re more than welcome to stay.” He lead us into the living room.
I go to plop myself down on the sofa, stopping myself and instead sitting gracefully down. Howard raises his eyebrow and glances at Jason as he takes a seat next to me. His stern face suddenly turning into a teasing grin. I flash him a dirty look and he coughs hiding a laugh.
“Contrary to the events today we’re not all gathered here just for that.” I raise my eyebrow noticing the corner of an envelope peeking out from the other side of the large coffee table books on the table in front of me.
Howard nods.
“I’m here for the food.” He says lightly, his disposition now teasing.
Helena enters with a tray of tea and coffee, I watch her darkly. How does she
know where things in
my house are? I need to be home more. I catch myself…darn I’m bitter and jealous.
Mom smiles at Helena as the devil herself hands Mom a cup of coffee. Loser...mom only drinks coffee, I watch in shock and betrayal as mom takes a sip of it.
“Hmm, it’s perfect.”
Helena smiles as she finishes passing out drinks. I politely refuse when she hands one to me.
“So what is going on?” Obviously it wasn’t so serious, Josh had invited Jason in. Still why the big production with Helena and the whole family?
Mom leans forward and takes an envelope from the coffee table in front of her and holds it up.
“You got this in the mail today.”
She hands it to me and I look at her before turning the envelope over in my hand, giving it a once over. Jason himself leans forward to look at it.
“Fancy.”
“Linen.”
“Cotton it looks like.”
“High end, most likely English.”
“Parisian actually. See the tone of the color?”
My mouth makes an ‘o’.
“Hmm…you’re right.” Jason looks at me and smiles as I smile back.
“It’s from Bruce Wayne, now if you two CSI nerds are done, can you open it?” Howard cut in.
Helena clears her throat.
“It’s an invitation actually.” Jason and I both look at her. I narrow my eyes a little. All personal preference aside, it’s odd how a High School teacher knows so much about the social events of the wealthier folks of Gotham City. I know she comes from a well-to-do family, but it’s still odd.
I move to put my thumb under the tab to rip it open but Jason puts his hand over mine. I look up at him in slight shock at our hands touching, especially in front of my family.
“Hold on.” he pulls out a small pocket knife and hands it to me.
I take it and precisely slice it open withdrawing the card within.
Miss Dinah Lance your presence is requested...
This Friday, Bruce Wayne will be hosting a very special charity benefit dedicated to the purpose of raising a substantial amount towards the Park Row Fund, giving to those struck by poverty and criminality within Gotham City. All proceeds are to be collected by The Wayne Foundation, and given in full to the fund's supervisor, Doctor Leslie Thompkins.
The Time:
6:00 PM
The Address:
539 Stately Wayne Manor. Gotham City, NJ.
(West Entrance, For Guests)
We thank you for any donations and proceeds towards the charity. Drinks are on us!
Jason gives a whistle from next to me as I look up and shrug.
“So, it’s an invitation you already knew about to a party you already knew about. What’s the big deal?”
“How does he know your name?” Mom cuts straight to the point I raise both my eyebrows.
“How should I know? He was at that one party I went to with Helena, the Scarecrow one. I told him my name.” I look around the room at them as Jason takes the invitation from my hand and looks it over closer.
"We just find it interesting that he'd invite you to a Charity Benefit-"
That does it I jump up from the sofa.
"Oh, I see because I'm not as highly social as some people? I'm going to this party." I turn to Jason.
"You still owe me."
He smiles.
"I was looking forward to when I could pay it off."
"Dinah..."
I turn to face Mom.
'I'm going and Jason will be my date."
'Dinah we wee just worried that with Bruce Waynes reputation-"
I throw my arms out as my frustration mounts. I see how it is. They were worried that Bruce Wayne had somehow gotten his clutches into me and I'd become nothing more than an over sexed love slave in his personal on-call harem. The pieces fell into place for Helena and Josh being there.
"You were worried about Wayne knowing my name, and addressing me as such in his ivitation for a party which is very selective. I'm a single female and Bruce Waynes reputation as a womanizer and playboy was a question for you. Since Helena got an invitation herself you were going to allow me to go with the provision that I go with Josh and Helena with Howard as my escort."
Howard sighed.
"Can I go home now?"He said putting his hand to his head as he stood up.
"For the record." he makes a sweeping motion whit his hand.
"It wasn't my idea." He glances at Helena.
Jason clears his throat.
"Well if they feel more comf-"
I spin around and ut my finger on his lips.
"No. We're going together, and this time you won't be on the job."
"Hopefully I won't get sho either." I smile before turning back to my family.
"It's settled, this 'production' is over." I say making it a point to look at Helena and Josh, feeling a little betrayed by him.
Jason stands up.
"It's in two days. I'll pick you up at 5:30. Though I should be leaving, thank you so much for the coffee."
I take his arm.
"I'll walk you to the door."
'I'll g out the back." Howard said winking. As Jason turns his back I stick my tongue out at Howard receiving a dirty look in return before we both leave the room.
I hold the door open for Jason.
"Thanks for...for everything. Today and this weekend, the ice cream and just hanging out."
Jason smiles and leans on the doorframe.
"Was it just 'hanging out'?"
I smile up at him and tuck a short strand of curly blonde hair behind my ear.
"Would you call it something else?" I ask a bit flirty.
"I'd like to, if you'd let me." He smiles.
I give him a sideways look.
"Maybe we should save that title for this weekend."
"Maybe." He says quietly not moving. I watch him for a second before he quickly leans over and brushes his lips against mine. The jolt of suprise to my system was enough to cause me to be motionless and thoughtless as he pulled away.
"Good night Miss Dinah Lance."
___
"Dinah..he's waiting!"
Grrr...I stick my tongue out from between my teeth as I concentrate on setting my short curls in just the right position with the tiny little antique rhinestone clips I wore.
"Coming!"
Three parties in three months. Well, if my Detective Agency hits the drain I could become a party hopper. I might have to with the way things were looking. Two days and only one call in for a missing child. Turns out he'd run away to a Sci Fi convention. Made a whopping $ 500, $100 went to gas money, $50 for convention ticket. $150 for bills, $200 Milly's back pay.
I'd had to pull out money from my savings for this dress. I spin in front of the mirror and run my hands over my hips. My first party dress had been a cute, flirty black one with simple black on black embroidery. Second one had been a champagne color with a lace overlay, both short and youthful. This time I'd decided on something more grown up. I'd picked it out myself and not allowed either Mom or Helena to see it before hand. If the fact that I had my own
agency and
job wasn't enough to convince them I was an adult, the grown up curves of the mermaid style dress was my own way of showing them.
I hate strapless so this one was a classic style. a simple scoop neckline that went low showing enought cleavage to be attractive but not enough to be tacky, the back swooped down low, past my waist and the a little around front making the straps small and showing my waist as the fabric curved tightly against my hips and upper legs before flaring out right above the knees. While tight it still allows enough movement to be comfortable. The color was the only thing I worried about. It was a deep rich sapphire blue, pulling out my eye color and accentuating my blonde hair. The whole dress had an overlay of sheer material the same color, embroidered with tiny clear glass beads were thick on the bottom of the dress and thinned to practically nothingness by the time they reached my waist.
"Dinah!"
"I'll be right there."
I sighed as second thoughts filled my mind. Was it to old ladyish? Not enough skin? To formal? I know Helena will be in something light that shows skin. I spin in it, despite the structured look of it it didn't look heavy and it didn't feel heavy either.
I pick up the matching purse laying on my bed and make my way dwnstairs. Moms' standing at the foot of the stairs with Jason nearby in a black tux. Mom's look is full of pride and pleasure when she sees me her shock out of happiness.
"You look lovely." I smile and kiss her on the cheek.
"Thank you, Mom." She reached over tucked a tiny spring of white tea roses in my hair, She did it for every party and I think it'll soon become my trademark. She kissed my cheek before winking at Jason and leaving the two of us. I turn towards him noticing his still shocked expression.
'What do you think?"
He clears his throat.
"I think..you'd be safer if I was on duty." I also noticing that Mom already placed a white rose in his lapel.
"Shall we?" He says dramatically motioning towards the door.
__________
The drive there was to fast as Jason and I discussed practically everything, our favorite movies, foods, music..
"Maybe we should blow the party off and do something else." I comment as I crane my neck looking up at the large mansion, getting ever larger as we drive closer to it up the long driveway.
"Nervous?"
"How did you guess?" I ask as a little bit of trepidation sneaks in. Why should I be afraid? I am Dinah Lance, daughter of a JSA member and the prime PI of Gotham City for over 20 years.
"The 'subtle' hint to leave?" He stopepd the car in front of the large entry way.
I take a deep breath. No..I'm not scared of
this I'm scared of what Josh and Helen will say, what they'll look like. I'm afraid of being over dressed.
Jason opens my door for me, funny I didn't even notice him leave and walk around. He holds his hand out and I slip out of the car as the Valet drives it away.
"Time for our entrance." He says, I pick up a bit of nervousness in his voice and I lean over as we're guided through the hallways.
"I wish Slam was here." I feel something poke me from his suit and pull away before whispering in his ear.
"Are you wearing your guns?"
He leans over me his breath tickling my ear as his nose brushes my hair.
"Are you?"
I pull back as amusement fills me. Once a Police Officer, always a Police Officer.
"You're going to get us kicked -" I stop as we enter the large room and give a little gasp. I thought the dinner party I went to with Helena was opulent this far exceeds any bit of reality in the world.
