Stella stared ruefully at her reflection in the hall mirror. The side of her face was still bruised and she had quite a shiner around her left eye. She thought briefly about applying make-up over it, but decided against it. She would probably end up making it look worse. After all, she had never used make-up before. Of course, she had never been this bruised up before. Stepping into the living room, she plopped down on the sofa, and grabbing the remote from the cushion beside her, turned on the television.
“Can I bring you anything,” said Linda, suddenly beside her.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Quit hovering over me. I’m fine.”
“If you say so,” said Linda, sitting down primly in the overstuffed chair. “You don’t look fine.”
“It’s just a bruise.”
“You saved my life, you know.”
“Yes, I know.” Stella grabbed the remote again and turned up the volume.
“… Find out if Airstream keeps his lead or falls to Madame Luna tonight on Dancing with the Supers, right after The Naked Truth and your local news.”
“Can I ask you a question?” asked Stella.
“Yes.”
“You know your dad?”
“Yes…”
“And um… your mom, I mean Doris Drake.”
“Doris Drake-Ford,” corrected Linda.
“Right.”
“What about them?”
“Did you ever see or… hear them?”
“What are you talking about?” wondered Linda.
“You know… did you ever see them or hear them having sex?”
“Eww! That is so gross! Those are my parents!”
“Well, sure,” said Stella. “Only she’s a normal and he was…you know.”
“Oh,” said Linda with a look of recognition. “You like a regular guy.”
“I just met… no!”
“Stella likes a normal,” sang Linda. “Stella likes a normal.”
“Shut up. Just never mind. I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”
“We need to talk,” said Linda, and when Stella didn’t say anything, she continued. “Don’t you think we should make some plans? After all, the Atomic Jack-O-Lantern got away.”
“Are you saying that’s my fault?”
“No, of course not.”
“Just leave me alone and let me watch the news.”
City of Amathar 