Batgirl

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

"And how are you feeling right now?"

"Fine... I guess."

"You guess?"

"Well, I am usually fine when I'm around other people, but when I am alone... it all haunts me."

"What haunts you?"

I swallow hard as I hear it in my head, "His laughter."

"The Joker's laughter?"

"No the Easter Bunny's! Of course the Joker's!"

"Please calm down, Miss Gordon."

"You try to calm down when you're being asked to relive the most traumatic event in your life three times a week for an hour."

"I know this is hard for you-"

I scoff, "Do you? Do you really because I am not sure if one of the world's psychotic criminals crippled you and raped you while you were unconscious from being bludgeoned with a crowbar!"

She is silent for a while as I continue to breathe, "Feel good to get that all out?"

"A little!" I shout.

"Good. We will continue on Wednesday."

I roll my eyes. If my dad wasn't insisting on these sessions, so insistent that he drives me to and from every one, I wouldn't be going. I slide from my chair to the passenger seat of the Tank as he closes the door and puts the wheelchair in back.

"How'd it go?"

"You know you legally can't ask that."

"Don't start this again, Barb..."

"Dad it's such a waste of money! I don't know what is affecting me more the actual incident or the fact you're making me relive it each time I come here!"

"Barbara, it is to help you-"

"She can't possibly help me because she doesn't care how it's affecting me!"

"Look, I can't let you get an apartment alone when you're this unstable!"

"I'm not intending on committing suicide, if that's what you mean."

"The top floor of the Clocktower? How am I supposed to think that's okay?!"

"Because it's wheelchair accessible and is in my favorite building in this city!"

His phone rings, and he puts it on speaker; it's Sarah.

"Hey gang-"

"WHAT?!" My dad and I shout at the same time.

There are a few long seconds of silence on the other end. Uh oh... time to shut up. "Jim..." Sarah warns. Although she does not shout, I learned early on not to mess with Sarah Essen-Gordon, who could win any argument and negotiate out of the worst fueds.

"Honey," my dad pleads, "I did not start this-"

"Just try listening to Barbara, please?" Yes.

My dad glares at me, ending my silent cheer, "She wants to move forward with the Clocktower apartment, but I told her-"

"I don't care what you told her. She is an adult now, and if she wants to live there and if you want her to go to therapy, fine. She lives there, and if she still wants to have a relationship with her father I suggest she continues the therapy sessions."

My smile drops. Noooooo!!!!!

My dad smiles, "I'll talk to you in a bit, hun, bye."

"I was serious before..." I murmur, "I'm not planning to do anything, I just need a change of scenery, so when I saw it was available I had to jump at it."