“He’s a low-level Villain,” Perry said. “Probably wants to make a name for himself.”
“Yeah,” Mark said. “Get his fifteen seconds of fame where there’s no competition.”
“Should we…” Sadie lowered her voice. “I mean, should you be concerned?”
“Nah. Lunk’s a brain surgeon compared to this guy. The Supers will handle it.”
“I meant having Villain activity in the city. Could that…”Could that put your deal with the Supers in jeopardy?
Joan touched her arm. Her fingers burned hot even through Sadie’s lavender cardigan and long-sleeved white cotton tee. “I don’t think there’s too much to worry about. We’re nowhere near there.”
Mark gave his sister a look. “You know that was one of our favorite diversions.”
“This guy’s not a threat. Lunk can take him out in no time. But, uh, just in case, we should probably…”
“…let people know you’re here,” Sadie finished. “Definitely.” She tapped on her phone’s camera. “Let’s get a pic for Hot and Cold’s socials.”
She huddled close to Joan and Mark. Perry stepped to the side because he never wanted his picture on social media. Making sure vendors were visible in the background, Sadie took a snapshot. It wasn’t the greatest pic—they looked like they were being forced to smile for the family Christmas card photo—but it’d be good enough proof.
“Send it to Mark so he can text it to Zee,” Joan said.
“Really?” Mark said. “You’re making jokes about that?—”
“Send it to them so the Supers know where we are.”
“Ugh, it’s like checking in with our parole officer.”
“It basically is.”
Joan rubbed Sadie’s back. While she was acting fairly nonchalant, she couldn’t hide the nervous tremble in her fingers.
Sadie refreshed SuperWatch. No notifications about Supers arriving on the scene. But they would. They were still the protectors of Vector City.
“I really hope this is a one-off,” she said.
“It is, sweetheart.” Joan gave her a smile. “Don’t worry.”
“It’s kind of hard not to worry.” What did this mean for Vector City? For Joan and Mark and Perry?
“Stick to business as usual,” Perry said. “Open the truck. Don’t do anything outside of your routine.”
Joan and Mark nodded. Part of Sadie wanted to run home and lock the door to keep her and Joan safe. But Perry was right. They needed to show the Supers the food truck was their priority. That they had been planning menus, not villainous hijinks.
She really hoped this wasn’t a big deal.
* * *
It’s not a big deal. It’s nothing.
Joan repeated the mantra in her head as she tossed hot fries with Hot and Cold’s signature rosemary-and-sea-salt blend in a large metal bowl.
Outwardly, she was calm. Pleasant. Just another evening at the food truck. The Supers had caught Smash. It was over and done.
She shook the fries into a red-and-white-checked paper tray, then grabbed it and the November Rain sandwich and stepped to the service window. “Here you go,” she said to the guy in a knit hat and hoodie.
“Thanks,” he said. “Stay safe out here tonight.”
Joan wrenched her lips into a smile. “You, too.”
