(Old Version) Hopelessly Heroic

three

Sometimes, I was needed for non-emergency situations, too. Like, for instance, a water shortage. Or a fountain that had stopped spouting. Or, in this case, a toilet that wasn't flushing properly.

"I'm not a plumber, mom." I said for the umpteenth time.

I was crouched next to my mother's toilet, turning the shut-off valve counterclockwise.

"You're doing wonderful, honey." She praised, watching me work.

"You could have done this yourself if you just googled it instead of calling me." I muttered, leaning up to flush the toilet and check if it was filling up fast enough. It wasn't.

"Well, I haven't seen you in a while, anyway. This is the perfect time to catch up!"

I stood, taking the lid off the tank and peering inside.

"Ah, yes. Fixing toilets is the perfect mother-daughter bonding experience!" I said sarcastically, pushing my sleeve up past my elbow before reaching in the tank and pulling the chain out from under the flapper.

I flushed again, sighing in relief when everything happened as it was supposed to.

"There. Done. Any other problems you want me to take a look at? I could thatch the roof if you wanted, or fix that hole in the living room."

She laughed, following me down to the kitchen, where I poured myself a glass of orange juice and sat at the table.

"Very funny, June." She said, opening the fridge and looking inside. "Actually, do you know how to patch holes? Because that's been there since you were little."

"Mom," I groaned, dropping my head on the table.

"Fine, fine."

*******

I stopped to get a coffee on my way home from my mom's. I took it to go, desperate to get home after dealing with my mother. I loved her, but she could be overbearing. Every time I talked to her, I walked away feeling exhausted.

My coffee disappeared from my hand, and my tired brain took a while to process that Willow was next to me, drinking it.

"Ew," She said, grimacing and handing it back to me. "How many sugars did you put in that thing?"

"Nice to see you, too, Willow." I said monotonously.

"Jeez, you look wrecked. Did you drink last night?"

I groaned, rubbing my hand over my face.

"No. I was with my mom this morning. She drains all of my energy."

"Then don't visit her anymore." Willow said, as if that was even an option.

"How very villain." I said.

She grinned. "Seriously, though. You need a nap. Almost home?"

"Ugh. I wish I was wearing my mask so you couldn't see how terrible I looked."

She laughed, nudging my shoulder with hers. "Please, June. You never look bad, even in the middle of a fight."

I blushed and let my head fall forward, trying to hide my face from her. "Shut up."

"How far is your house?"

I looked around to see where we were, then glanced at her, wondering why she was still walking with me. She could have been anywhere, doing anything, but she was with me, stealing my coffee again despite not liking it.

"Like, ten minutes."

She frowned, then grabbed my hand and led me down a side street. We walked in silence for a couple minutes before we reached an abandoned building. I wanted to laugh at how cliche it was for her to bring me there, but I kept quiet. She pulled me inside just to walk through to the backyard, where she took out a key and unlocked the cellar door. I worried for a moment that her evil instincts had finally kicked in and she was going to kill me, but then she pulled the door open and I saw the familiar interior of her lair.