If Sharon was impressed by the revelation of a solider standing in her hallway, she didn't show it, which was the only way the woman knew how to hide her surprise. Harley was even left speechless, which was for the best. It made her mother think that her evil daughter had been aware of this information from the start.
The sight of Barry caused Harley's tongue to loll out of her mouth in disgust. The man seemed to double in size with every visit, which would have been impressive if he wasn't taking the couch with him. Stupid jerkface, Barry. Fortunately, she had Wade with her today, and when the insults started, Harley was all giggles of encouragement. Whenever Harley flung a taunt at her brother, she was left with little more than annoyed glares and dismissal, but it seemed that Wade's words were actually beginning to take effect. Barry was red. Santa in a fatsuit red. Anytime he tried to deliver a comeback, he was immediately cut off by the peppy stranger. He seemed powerless, weak, and for a brief moment, Harley thought they were winning.
And then Barry used his trump card. He took in one deep breath, forcing his body to expand even wider, and shouted the only thing that could save him. "MOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!
- - - - - - - -
After a lot of banging and shouting, everyone had been forced to sit around the table. By some miracle, Barry did not need the couch to join them, just a raggedy old recliner that had once belonged to the real man of the house. He looked smugly at Harley, satisfied that, as always, he was still the favorite.
Stupid Barry, Harley thought as she stabbed at the multi-colored foods on her plate. Everything looked delicious, but being one-upped by Barry had put her in a foul mood.
"Wade," Sharon began, buttering a fresh roll, "How is it that you convinced my sinful daughter to tote you around, hmm?"
Harley looked up, her brow furrowed. "What's the suppose to mean?" she asked, offended.
Sharon took a bite of the bread, chewed, and swallowed before she continued. "I mean with that horrible clown back from the dead, how is it you haven't left him?"
The color drained from Harley's face with the clattering of her silverware. She had a firm grip on the table now, trying desperately to steady her shaking. "Wh-what are you talking about?"
"What am I talking about? Harley, don't be ridiculous. It's been all over the news. That heinous clown is back. And in one piece even. you would think that after taking a beating like that from Superman, he would have lost something."
Harley had turned out her mother, her mind racing with the possibility that Mistah J was back. Alive. Well. Out there, alone, without her. She dashed from the table and ran up the stairs, choking back her sobs until she was securely locked in her bedroom.
Barry glanced over at Wade, his mouth full of turkey, and pointed at Harley's plate, "Dibs."