“It feels like it.” I moan. “Why aren’t you at the parade?” I ask.
“Been there, done that. This is much more fun.”
“What are you going to be doing today?” I ask.
“Dodging and catching bullets.”
“You don’t have a real gun, do you?” I ask, suddenly concerned.
“No. We’re gonna use ball bearings. I salvaged a ton of them from the junkyard.”
“Sounds interesting.” I say and stifle a yawn. “I’ve been meaning to ask you guys something.” I say.
“Yeah? Shoot.”
“While I’m grounded, I want you all to keep Chicago safe. Okay?” I ask.
“Chicago’s a huge place, Britney. We can’t stop every crime.”
“I know. Just intervene where you can. Please?”
“Okay. I’ll talk to the others.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ve gotta go. The others are waiting.”
“Have fun.” I say and hang up.
Man, I wish I was with them. I miss the island. The salty air, the smell of pine and dirt. The sound of squirrels and birds in the branches. Otters splashing in the water, just off shore. I miss my friends too. Especially Mitchell.
Dad’s rules. No visitors while I’m grounded.
I think about Beth, and look at my cell phone. Then I have an idea. I turn down the volume on the television, and close my eyes. I think about Beth. Her face, and her sharp eyes fill my mind. I concentrate hard, and call out in my head.
Beth! Can you hear me? I repeat it over and over.
‘Britney?’ I hear Beth’s husky voice faintly in my head.
Yay, it worked.
‘Are you still at home?’ Beth asks inside my head.
Yeah. I’m bored. It’s cool that you can hear me from there.
‘Wow. I mean the reception isn’t great, but I can hear you, just about.’
I miss you guys.
‘I know, it sucks.’
How’s Paul and Stuart?
‘Not sure about Stuart. He’s pretty quiet. But Paul is up to his usual tricks.’
What’s he up to now?
‘He keeps picturing me in various scenarios, if you know what I mean. I know he’s doing it on purpose just to wind me up.’
Well, he does likes you.
‘What’s not to like?’ Beth replies and then giggles.
I thought you two were already, you know…close.
‘He wishes. We’re not that close, but we have made out.’
And that’s not close?
‘Well, it’s not as close as he would like.’ Beth chuckles. ‘Anyway, how about you and hunkypants? Have you two….you know?’
No. I sigh as I channel hop.
‘Ooh, do I detect regret?’
I can feel blood rising to my cheeks as a major blush begins to build.
‘I’ll leave you to your thoughts then. Toodles.’
Bye. I open my eyes and look at a commercial for Trojan condoms. I close my eyes again and sigh. Before I can stop myself, I’m picturing Mitchell in his shorts. His hard muscular shoulders, and chiseled chest above me, as he kisses me. I quickly open my eyes and realize I’m breathing hard. I get up and go into the kitchen, and make myself a sandwich. There’s some cold pastrami in the refrigerator. So I grab some, and a pickle, and some Monterey Jack cheese slices. I make the sandwich while trying to control my breathing, and my thoughts. My heart feels heavy in my chest, and butterflies are having a field day in my tummy as I take my sandwich to the kitchen table and sit down. I focus on the taste as I chew slowly. I savor the sharpness of the pickle next to the peppered beef. The cheese is nice and mature, so it helps to balance the sharpness and the pepper. The sandwich helps a little, but I’m hungry for something else. Something I can’t have.
I get up from the table, and walk to the sink and look out of the window. The sky is slightly overcast, so it might rain later. I grab a can of Cherry Coke from the refrigerator, and then head back into the living room. I see that there’s nothing really on, just some talk shows now. So I switch the TV off and go upstairs. I creep softly to my room, so as not to wake Dad, and close my door quietly. I put the can on my side table and go to my closet. I take out my purple leather catsuit, with the white stars that Jessica sewed on to it, to cover the bullet holes, and take them into my bathroom.
I hang it on the shower rail, and then go back into my room and grab the can of glue spray from my dresser. I open the middle drawer and grab a bag of blue glitter, and then take both into the bathroom. I put the bag of glitter on the sink, near the faucet. Then give the can of glue spray a good shake. I spray the entire costume with the glue. Then grab the bag of blue glitter, and begin to throw handfuls of the glitter at my costume. In a few seconds, the costume is looking good and sparkly again. I take my can and glitter back into my room and put them away. Then I open the window to let out the fumes. I leave my costume hanging in the bathroom, and go to my comic book chest and grab a dozen comic books. Batman, Superman, The Superior Spider-Man, The Avengers and some Justice League comics. I pile them on the pink carpet next to my bed, and then lie on my bed and grab the top one, Superman, issue 4 of Infinite Crisis.
I hear Dad starting to get up after two O’clock, so I get up and go downstairs.
“Hi, Dad.” I greet him as he stands in the hall yawning.
“Hi, Pumpkin.”
I notice his left hand is bandaged.
“What happened?” I ask and point to his hand.
“Oh, this.” He says and lifts his left hand. “It’s nothing. How was it last night?”
“It was okay.” I shrug.
He yawns and then heads downstairs. “No one bothered you, did they?” He asks at the bottom of the stairs.
“No.” I lie and shake my head.
“Good.” He says and then heads to the kitchen.
I go into the living room and switch on the television, and change the channel to CNN. I was hoping they would show the St Patrick’s Day parade. But instead a reporter is standing near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. and is talking about the President’s latest policy about global terrorism. Seeing the white marble steps brings a flood of memories. Zack lost his life there, not far from where the reporter is now standing. What have I been doing? I’ve been so fixated on Mitchell, that I’ve forgotten the bigger picture. The producer, Paul Thomas Richardson, is next on my list. I try to remember his face from the pictures I saw on my laptop. As soon as my sentence is over, he’ll be getting a visit from me and Beth.
Six O’clock approaches, and I look out the window as Mitchell silently arrives with the car through the pouring rain.
“Well, time to go. Bye, Dad.” I say as I grab my raincoat.
“Take care, Pumpkin.”
“You too. No more injuries, okay.” I say and hug him.
“I’ll try.” He chuckles.
I close the door behind me and hop down the steps. Mitchell leans over and opens the door for me, and I quickly get in out of the rain.
“Hey.” Mitchell greets me with a grin, and reaches down and takes my hand.
I lean over and kiss him deeply. Oh, how I have missed him today.
“Ready?” I ask as I pull away.
“Yep.” He chuckles and plays the tape with the car engine rumbles on.
He puts his feet down through the hole, and starts to walk the car forward, before picking up speed.
“I missed you today.” I say quietly, and reach over to stroke his arm.
“I missed you too.” He says and sighs.
“You just have to be more careful in school. Save the heroics for the street, okay?” He says, and gives me a crooked smile before looking back at the road.
“I promise.” I say. “I can’t stand being grounded. There’s so much to do.” I say quietly, more to myself than to Mitchell.
We get to the red-bricked gymnasium, where the soup kitchen is, with just a few minutes to spare. So I spend those precious mom
ents making out with Mitchell.
I’m nibbling his left ear gently when I notice the time. I pull away reluctantly.
“Well. See you.” I grumble and exit the car.
I walk quickly to the gym entrance, and then turn and wave as Mitchell walks the car away. I head inside and begin prepping the gym hall.
I see the same sad faces, and a bunch of new ones. But the night passes uneventfully.
The next day is pretty much the same. Bored brainless while Dad sleeps, and my friends patrol the city in twos while I mope over a tub of chocolate ice cream.
Monday in school is a bit better. At least I have other people to talk to now. But I’m chomping at the bit to get out there. I miss the feeling of flying. Of having nothing beneath my feet but air and cloud. Nothing but the sound of the wind, and the occasional airplane or helicopter.
By the end of the week, I’m almost counting the minutes, like a convict awaiting my release.
Saturday comes, and I get dressed in a red and white striped sleeveless top, and my cherry colored jeans. Pull on some white ankle socks and my white and red Nikes, and then head downstairs to face judgment. Have I been punished enough?
“Hi, Dad.” I say as I walk slowly into the kitchen.
“Good morning.” He answers as he sips his coffee.
I grab my purple cereal bowl and pour some Coco Pops in.
“It looks like a nice day outside.” I observe suggestively, as I pour some milk into my bowl.
“Yes, it is.” Dad says as I bring my bowl over to the kitchen table, and sit down.
I shovel a few spoonful’s of Coco Pops in my mouth, while I wait for Dad to get the hint.
“So, what have you got planned today, hmm?” Dad says as he looks over his mug of coffee at me.
I can see he’s smiling.
“Am I free?” I ask.
He laughs and nods. “I release you.”
“Thank you.” I gush, and then quickly finish my cereal.
“You do know why I had to punish you, right?”
“Yes, Dad. It won’t happen again.” I promise, and take my bowl to the sink.
“Have fun.” He calls out after me as I run past him to the hall.
I hurry upstairs and pack my costume into my Chinese lucky cat backpack. I pack my contact lens case, my purse, and my cell phone. I open the top drawer of my dresser, and grab the slip of paper with the producer’s address. I shove it in my back pocket, and then shoulder my backpack and head back downstairs.
“Bye, Dad.” I call out before closing the front door behind me.
I walk quickly down the paved sidewalk until I get to the corner. The sky is a beautiful deep blue, and there is hardly a cloud in sight. Perfect weather for flying.
I secure the backpack in place, and then begin to run slowly along the sidewalk. I pass other people as they enjoy the sunshine. There’s too many people around to blaze just yet, so I just jog along at a quick pace as I head to Mitchell’s neighborhood. I stop outside his parent’s double-fronted property. His dad’s black pickup is parked on their driveway in front of the garage. I’m grinning like an idiot as I hurry up the path to the house. I press the doorbell and wait eagerly. The door opens after a few minutes. It’s Mitchell’s mom. She’s a dainty woman, not much taller than me. Her black hair is tied back in a ponytail, and she’s wearing a mint-green dress. She smiles as she recognizes me.
“Oh, hi, Britney.” She says in a soft friendly voice, so much like my mom’s.
“Hi, Mrs Reed. Is Mitchell home?” I ask.
“Come on in, honey.” Mrs Reed says and holds the door while I step inside.
“Sweetheart. Britney’s here.” Mrs Reed calls upstairs.
I hear a door open upstairs, and then Mitchell is hurrying downstairs.
“Hi. Wow, you’re free again.” He says as he greets me with a hug.
“Free? You haven’t been getting into trouble, have you, Britney?” Mrs Reed asks.
I hold my finger and thumb up, and press them together. “Just a little.” I say bashfully.
“Well, no misbehaving under my roof. Okay?” She says and smiles.
“It’s far too nice to stay indoors.” I say and open the door.
“Have you got enough cash on you?” Mrs Reed asks Mitchell.
He nods and grabs my hand. I pull him along as I hurry to the sidewalk.
“Have fun.” His mom calls out after us as we walk quickly along the sidewalk.
As soon as we’re out of sight, I turn and launch myself at him. I take him by surprise as I kiss him, then I feel his arms around me, and he kisses me back. I open my eyes as we kiss, and look around us. A middle-aged man is collecting the morning paper nearby. As he bends down to pick up the newspaper, I launch us both skywards. I hurtle up so quickly, that in seconds we’re already several thousand feet up. I stop and hover in the air, and continue kissing Mitchell. He stops and opens his eyes. He looks around, and then laughs.
“I thought I felt something.” He says.
“Mmm, I think I felt something too.” I purr and watch him blush.
I laugh, and then reach down and scoop him up into my small arms. I fly us east towards Lake Michigan while he composes himself.
“Beach?” He asks as I carry him through the air.
“Beach.” I reply and pitch forward and begin to descend slowly.
I fly us over the skyscrapers that stand proudly along Michigan Avenue, and swoop down playfully towards the John Hancock center. I fly by the building’s spires and head towards the open water. There’s already a lot of people on the beach, and some are already getting their boats ready for sailing. I see an empty area of sand away from the crowds, and drop like an anvil out of the sky. I hit the compacted sand hard and feel my feet dig into the ground. I lower Mitchell to the sand, and then pull my feet up out of the two small holes I’ve made. Mitchell chuckles and takes my hand as we walk towards the water, as I shake the sand from my gym shoes.
“How did it go, while I was imprisoned?” I ask.
“Oh, you mean crime-fighting?” He asks, and I nod.
“It’s been really busy this past week. Ten muggings, six shootings, three hold-ups, and twelve burglaries.”
“Wow.” I answer in shock. They have been busy.
“That’s just the ones we dealt with. I’m sure there must have been more.” Mitchell says, and then sits down on the sand, and lies back with his arms behind his head. I lie down next to him and snuggle into his side.
“But no deaths?” I ask.
“Not that I’m aware of.”
“Good.” I say and take a deep breath.
“Did you really mean what you wrote?” Mitchell asks and cranes his neck to look at me.
“Yes.” I reply firmly. Never again. No more deaths in Chicago. No more stabbings, no more shootings, no more rapes. I’m making a stand.
“You can’t be everywhere at once.” He says quietly, cautiously.
“I know. But if we work together, we can cover more ground.” I say.
“We can’t protect people twenty-four seven.”
“I know.” I grumble into his chest. “We just do what we can. If we do it often enough, who knows, maybe all of the idiots will get the message.” I say.
“Maybe.”
“Speaking of idiots.” I say. “We still got a huge one to find.” I add.
Mitchell chuckles darkly. “The criminal mastermind?”
“Hey, don’t give him too much credit.” I complain.
“Okay, so the mysterious figure who planned all of those diabolical things.” He corrects himself.
“Yeah. Once he’s behind bars, then maybe I can get some closure.” I say quietly, and lift my cheek from his chest and look into his brown eyes. “You do want him to pay for what he’s done?” I ask.
“Of course. I’d like to break his arms and legs.” Mitchell replies quickly and runs his fingers through my long brown hair.
“Not if I get to him first.” I smirk.
“Who’s next on the list?” He asks.
“The producer, in New York.” I reply.
“I hope he knows more than the last guy.”
“I hope so too. Following a trail of bread crumbs is so annoying.” I say.
I roll off, and lie on my back and look up at the cloudless blue sky. A white gull flies overhead, on its way over towards the water.
“I miss feeling the warmth of the sun.” Mitchell says sadly next to me.
“I know. Me too.” I say, and then slowly stand up.
“Going so soon?” Mitchell asks as he looks up at me.
“I’ve been waiting all week to go to New York. I can’t wait any longer.” I say and hold out my hand to him.
He takes my hand, and I pull him to his feet with ease. I start walking towards the footpath.
“Where are we going?” Mitchell asks as he catches up with me.
“Beth’s.” I say as I begin to jog.
“New York, huh?” Beth asks as I carry her through the sky.
“Yep.” I answer as I overtake an airplane heading east.
Cosmic Girl Rising Up Page 27
