Our Superheroes

Love is an Ugly Thing

The Saturday for Comic Book Club came around and for once in six years Alda really didn't want to go. She performed her morning routine then hesitantly went to Comic Book Club. When she entered the back room she saw that no one else was there except for Antony. She froze and he stood. For the first time in four years he looked sombre.

"What's wrong?" Alda asked tentatively.

"I told them all to go home." He replied.

"Why?"
"Because something happened."

"What happened?"

"They're not okay." There was silence for a few moments and then he broke it. "Briar is dealing with too much; Luke is being bullied and... and Jesse... Jesse's not doing well. I got a call. I had to tell her that her mother left the country this morning." His voice broke and he shifted slightly. "She told me that she wanted to go to you but, she was afraid things with you would get worse." Alda's bottom lip trembled when she heard that. She had always thought of Jesse as the daughter she never had and Bruno had once told her that he thought of Jesse like an older sister.

"I should go then."
"No." Antony said stepping towards her. "Come with me." He lead her outside to his car and then he held the door open. She got in and he closed the door after her. She heard the soft click of the belt as she buckled it up. He got in on the driver's side, buckled up then started to drive.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"You'll see." They sat in silence the whole way to their destination. When the car stopped she stepped out to see the graveyard her husband had been buried in and the waves that came crashing in on the rocks from the sea by the edge of the graveyard. A big black fence surround the graveyard making it look more menacing.

"Why are here?" She asked her voice breaking.

"Because you need to be here." He said. He took her hand and she was about to pull away but then let him take it. They walked through the headstones until they reached on that had a single tulip in front of it. Instantly Alda knew the tulip had been from Jesse. Tears welled up in Alda's eyes as she stared at her husband's tombstone. A tear spilled over her cheek and she quickly wiped it away. The smell of sea salt and the cold air made her miss him even more.

"Hey, I know it was only yesterday that we talked but were both here now. Please don't hate me for loving her. Your wife is the most beautiful person on the entire planet and, god I know it's bad because you were my best friend, but I love her." Antony said to the gravestone and she looked at him her lower lip trembling. "And Bruno, he's wonderful and I have always wanted a son. You should be proud of him, of both of them.

"She misses you; you know she just doesn't say anything about it because she too afraid. I think she's afraid to give you up. Although if I was married to someone as good as you I would be too. We both need you right now. Help us." Antony squeezed her hand and she started crying. She collapsed to the ground hands over her face. She felt Antony sit down with her and then he held her tight. She heard him sniffle and then felt him shake as he started to cry.

She sat in the car staring out the window while he sat in the driver's seat looking through the windscreen. They started driving and when they got to the comic bookstore she got out and got into her car and drove home without saying a word.

They say time goes by fast when you're having fun and this seemed to be true because right now time was passing slower than a snail. On her way home Alda had seen a small bar and had stopped in. Already she had ordered six glasses of whiskey. She was still sitting at the bar drinking though. What am I still doing here? She thought. Jesse walked in and Alda rolled her eyes put her drink down grabbed her bag and was about to leave when Jesse put a hand on Alda's shoulder and they both sat down. Jesse looked around and when she knew no one was watching she drank the rest of the whiskey like it was a shot then turned to look at Alda. She looked like she'd had enough of everyone.

"Listen," Jesse said. "I can't change your mind about anything or anyone but I can't stand it anymore. Everyone knows that Antony loves you and that you love him. I know my parents never had that but I see you and Antony like my real parents." For voice started to crack. "You always look out for me and make sure I have friends. You don't fight over whether I should do ballet or martial arts. You make sure I have a ride home when no one else will." At this point she was in tears. Tears filled Alda's eyes as she nodded. "And I know you both love me even if I do something stupid. I can always come to you even when home is where I should go. And no matter what anyone else ever tells me, I know you and Antony are my true parents. So, please, for my sake, make it work. I don't want to lose anymore parents." They both stood up and Alda and Jesse wrapped their arms around each other. Jesse cried into Alda's shoulder but she didn't mind. They hugged each other tightly. When they let go Jesse's face shone in the light from the tears that had travelled down her cheeks.

"Come on." Said Alda. "Let's go home." They put an arm on each other's shoulder's as they both walked out of the bar and called a cab.

On the way to Alda's apartment Jesse had fallen asleep on the backseat. When they arrived Alda lightly tapped and when she woke Alda lead Jesse up to her apartment. She lay her on the couch then went to grab a pillow and blanket and tucked the pillow under her head then she lay the blanket over her.

As Jesse settled in Alda heard her mumble, "Night, mum." Alda smiled a small smile then lay down in her bed where Bruno was already asleep.

That night Alda drifted off to the calming thoughts of how life would be with Jesse living there and what she was going to say to Antony in the morning after she had been to her husband's grave.

And life continues on.