Joan cracked a tiny grin at the latest SuperWatch chat post. “The owner of that helmet is excited Ice used it but would like it back if at all possible. With an autograph.”
Sadie forced a chuckle. Joanie didn’t seem to want to dwell on her dream literally being crushed despite the pain in her amber eyes.
“I wish we could erase people knowing Spark and Ice were there. Where’s Melvin and his mind control when we really need it?”
“Joan,” Sadie gently scolded.
“It occasionally came in handy.”
“Not funny.”
She guessed by Joan not responding that she hadn’t been joking.
“Why don’t you want people to know you were there?”
“It complicates things. We lurk about unnoticed.”
“You should be noticed for saving the day,” Sadie said.
“It wasn’t that heroic. We just didn’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“You’re not giving yourself enough credit.”
Joan busied herself with putting her phone back in her pocket as a compact car drove past.
Getting positive attention must’ve been so foreign to her. Her whole life had been people scared or angry at her for her abilities and doing crime. Today, she’d shown them Spark was more than that.
“Almost home, babe,” Sadie said. She laced their fingers and pushed the “up” elevator button.
“This has been the longest fucking day of my life,” Joan exhaled.
“I was just thinking that.”
“I am ripping off all my clothes the second we get in and taking a long, hot shower.”
“I hope I’m included in that plan.”
“You are an essential component of that plan.”
“Certainly the ripping your clothes off part,” Sadie said.
She adjusted the handles of her rainbow tote on her shoulder. Miraculously, she’d been able to finagle it out of the truck. They’d lost the cashbox and tablet, but at least she had all her personal effects. A small win.
“Tomorrow when you’re with the Supers, I’ll go out and buy you another Vultures hat.”
“That’s okay,” Joan said. “I have other ones.”
“But that’s your Hot and Cold hat.”
“I don’t have a need for a Hot and Cold hat.”
“You will in the future.” When Joan didn’t respond, Sadie asked, “Won’t you?”
“I can’t think beyond what we have to do to…” She trailed off as two brunette white women exited the stairwell chatting about lentil soup.
Of course they’d get a new food truck. They had to so they could park in front of Sadie’s Café.
Unless Joanie had bigger plans. Super plans. She and Mark were already committed to spending tomorrow at Superhero headquarters.
