Window Sills

Chapter Eighteen

"Master Richard, you haven't said a single word since the hospital." Alfred said. It was true. Dick had just been staring out the window since Boston, hearing voices in his head. A lot of the time it was his parents but Wally showed up too. And Jason. Sometimes Bruce. Or Tim. Anyone really. The got so loud he didn't even hear Alfred speak. "Master Richard?" Dick broke out of his gaze.
"What? Oh, I guess I'm just tired. And still a bit sore." Dick said, squirming in his seat. Alfred gave him a look in the mirror, the look he gave all of them when he knew they were lying. Dick avoid his eyes. There was no getting out of this. He coughed. Alfred still looked suspicious, but continued driving. "Hey...Alfred?" Dick said slowly.
"Hmm?"
"Can you...can you tell me the story of my first night at the bat cave?" Alfred used to tell him the story every now and then to make him laugh, and he really needed one right now.
"I haven't told that story in years!" Alfred chuckled.
"Well, these past few weeks took a toll on me, I guess."
"Well, if you insist. You were nine? Yes, nine. You were so scared of everything you saw. You walked behind Master Bruce like his own shadow," He smiled, remember the boy's younger days. "You sat in your room all night, so when I brought you up dinner, I had expected you to be hiding under the bed. Instead, and believe me, I was amazed, you were half way out the window!" Dick laughed, remembering the warm spring night. "Just looking down at the street, a hundred feet below. And then you turned to me and said, and I'll never forget: "Have you ever thought of flying, Alfred? My mom said I used to fly. Really, I was just falling with style." Alfred tapped on the stirring wheel. "That's when I saw Master Bruce the most in you. That was something he would say." 
"Thanks, Alfred." Dick said after awhile.
"My pleasure."