Peachy Keen

Chapter 6

Tony was glad of a stretch and a chance to wash his face after the long drive. He peered at himself in
the mirror. He didn't look like shit, did he? Ok, he had the beginnings of a mountain man beard
going. And he's thinner than when he met Harley. And five years older. And they weren't exactly
five fun-filled years. He should have bought sunglasses. He shrugged and left the bathroom to head
downstairs.

A tall young woman was standing on the landing. Tony paused. She looked a lot like Harley. "Hey,
are you Harley's sister?" He tried to remember if Harley had told her name, but all he had was an
impression of a borrowed Dora the Explorer wristwatch. It had been big enough to fit him. He hadn't
thought about it at the time, but later it had occurred to him that it was odd for a little girl's wristwatch
to fit him, not that he was a huge boned guy, but still he had bigger wrists than a little girl. He
guessed she wasn't that much younger than Harley, and just happened to like Dora the Explorer
despite not being in the expected age demographic.

Eh, he'd caught Rhodey watching My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic more than once. People liked
what they liked. No shaming here.

He waited a few more seconds, but the girl didn't say anything. He guessed she was shy. He smiled.
"Thanks for loaning me your watch. I really appreciated it."

She blinked and looked at her wrist. She was wearing the replacement watch he'd sent her.

"Right." Tony began to feel like a creeper. "I'm going downstairs to talk with your mom and
Harley." He went down and followed the sound of voices. Harley and his mother were in the
kitchen.

Holly was wearing a waitress uniform, and pinning a paper frill into her hair when he entered. "I've
got to go to work, but I'm sure Harley will keep you company. I've put a Bisquick cobbler in the
oven. Nothing fancy, just canned peaches and cinnamon. Harley, make sure Charley comes down to
eat while it's still warm."

"I will mom," Harley said.

Holly snatched up a set of keys and then turned to Tony. "Mr. Stark, I want you to know you're
more than welcome here." She waved and then went out of the room quickly.

Tony was a little dazed. He looked at Harley. Harley grinned at him. "Grass doesn't grow under
mom's feet," he said. He scrunched up his face. "It's been hard, you know, with me and Charley."

"Charlie's your sister?" Tony asked, hesitantly. The young person he'd seen certainly looked female,
and from her clothing he assumed she identified as female, but possibly he was mistaken and Charlie
identified as male, and he'd offended by referring to him as Harley's sister.

"Uh huh." Harley gave Tony a long look. "Charley's smarter than I am, but people... people are hard
for her. So, you know, if she doesn't answer you or look at you, she's not being rude, you know?"
Harley sounded defensive.

"I get it. I met her on the stairs. Is it going to upset her, me being here?"

"Nah," Harley sighed. He went over to peer into the oven through the oven's glass door. "She kinda
lives in her own world. Sometimes she looks out and sees us, but it's like we're not as real to her."

Tony nodded again. "Is this the point where I'm supposed to say that's a bad thing? Because,
honestly, I'm a little jealous."

Harley straightened and smiled. "Me, too. Sometimes. The cake's almost done. I'll go get Charley.
You can put out the plates and stuff." Harley waved in the general direction of the cabinets on the far
wall.

Charley's family obviously loved her, just the way she was. They were good people. Tony smiled as
he brought out mismatched plates and set them around the small, gingham covered table in the
kitchen. There were four chairs, but one of them was turned around to face the wall. Tony didn't
touch it.