Fulfilling the Childhood Dream: When You Wish Upon a Star
Colin lay on the floor, making fwoosh noises as he waved Rory in the air, pretending that the teddy bear was Superman. Dropping the stuffed animal onto his stomach, Colin cried out in his best criminal voice, “Ouch, you got me Superman!” He then rolled around, clutching Rory close and suddenly…
Dick came home from the Clock Tower, having finished most of his work there today but planning to return again tomorrow. He put his motorcycle helmet on the seat of his bike, then headed upstairs to see who was home. It had been a productive day but he was still dealing with the questions about the case, swirling around in his brain. That was a lot to digest.
He arrived from the garage, in the kitchen first and he considered some food, but he’d ditch his jacket first and see if his wife or son were around. The moment he opened the kitchen door he saw the boy coming toward him. He gave Colin a big grin.
“Hey kiddo… what are you up to?” He held the door for him.
He was glad to see Colin. He was such a bright presence to come home to. The combination of him and Babs, it was almost too much happiness for his heart to handle.
As Colin strode towards the kitchen, nearly at the door, a figure darted out and opened it for him, saying “Hey kiddo… what are you up to?”
Not expecting anyone to be at home, he gasped and tripped, dropping with a dull clunk. Rubbing his forehead as he pushed himself up, Colin saw that it was his Dad who had opened the door and addressed him.
“Hey, Dad!” Colin said with an embarrassed grin. “I was just going to grab a snack and wait for you and Mom, and then you popped out of nowhere.”
Holding Rory by one arm, Colin ran the last couple steps and hugged his father before whistling cheerfully and bouncing into the kitchen. Without looking back, Colin asked, “Are you hungry too, Dad?”
“Whoa, careful! You okay?”
His father instinct already had kicked in, he instantly wanted to bend down and pick the boy up and make sure he was uninjured. Before he could, Colin was back on his feet hugging him and his usual perky self.
Dick laughed returning the hug and then followed him into the kitchen. He shrugged, glad to see that the boy was getting more comfortable here, and talking to him. They were family now. And Colin was actively calling him dad. It made his heart melt every single time.
“Sure… hey, why don’t we make some snacks and watch a movie and hang out together… I think your mom went out with a friend for the night.”
At the mention of a movie, Colin spun around and beamed. He loved movies. Especially “The Lion King,” but he and Mom and Dad had already watched it together. Besides, something new would be fun.
“That’s a great idea, Dad!” Colin was ready to hang out with his Dad. Just thinking about his parents was making him forget why he was bored in the first place. He had a family, and who could ask for more than that?
Striding to the pantry, Colin peeked in, gazing at the variety of foods and wondering what was fit for a movie.
“Do you want popcorn, or crackers, or maybe a peanut-butter-banana sandwich or…”
Colin babbled on as he waited for a response from his father.
Dick came over and picked up the boy in his arms. He grinned at him and then kissed his forehead. For a moment, he thought of his own father. He was only a few years younger than Colin when his parents passed away. How easily he could have been in the same position, but Bruce had stepped in and given him this life. He took the boy in, the sight of his face and the freckles on his cheeks. The red of his hair.
“How about a little of everything? Did you eat dinner? If not, I’ll whip us up some grilled cheese.” He set Colin down.
Putting his hand on top of the boy’s head he ruffled his hair, before going to get the stuff ready to make them food. He was glad to be able to do this with him. He’d had such good times in the vardo at the circus with his mom and dad. Making dinner, hanging out in that small space.
“Why don’t you go pick a movie? Do you want tomato soup?” He paused. “I think we have some frozen fries…”
Colin’s face and ears flushed pink as his father kissed him. He clapped both hands to his forehead and was frozen in that position as Dick set him down, getting ready to make dinner.
“I, uh. I had a snack a while ago, I haven’t eaten dinner. So, the tomato cheese— I mean, the grilled soup… I’ll just go find a movie.”
As Colin rushed away to find a movie still holding the spot where Dick had kissed him, he wondered what was going on with him. But he had a Dad. A real one, not someone he dreamed about and not any of the foster parents from before. Someone who he could did things with and ate dinner with and someone who really cared about him. Colin remembered how he used to wish on every star he saw that he could have a family, but it never came true until now.
Inside, he laughed. All this thinking about stars and dreams made up his resolve. They were watching something Disney. As he shuffled through the pile of DVD’s, Colin noticed a movie that seemed to do with food. And rats, which seemed kinda funny, but it was Disney.
It was called Ratatoullie.
Dick laughed, shaking his head as the boy left the room. He loved his reactions to things. He was so humble and excited and happy. He seemed to not under stand why he had the life he did now but he was grateful for it. And Dick had been there when he was that age.
He finished up the food, making plates for them… he’d cooked some frozen fries and set them on the plate… then got them some sodas, why not it was a special night. He brought the plates with grilled cheese, fries, bowls of soup and the cans of soda into the theater where his son was picking a movie.
Zitka came following after him, having been sleeping under the table and smelling the food he had. He grinned at the dog.
“Hey Colin… did you pick a movie? And look who decided to join us?”
Colin turned towards the sound of Dick’s voice, saying “Yup, I got it! It’s called Rata— Ra… Something I can’t pronounce. But it’s Disney!”
As he noticed the small figure plodding next to his Dad, Colin’s mouth dropped open. “Is that… Zitka?” He scrambled towards the dog, holding out his open palm for her to sniff before petting her contentedly. He and Zitka seemed to immediately bond into friendship, and Colin let her sniff Rory. Maybe he could give her some of the bread from his sandwich or something to commemorate the moment.
“How haven’t I seen you in the manor until today?” He murmured to her, and as a afterthought, added “By the way, Dad, dinner smells yummy.”
Colin held the movie out to his Dad and his Mom’s dog waddled after him, cute as could be. “I would start it myself, but…” Colin paused and pursed his lips. “I don’t really know how to.” He admitted, scuffing his toe against the floor.
“Oh she’s been here. She’s just quiet, and hangs with Babs most of the time. The thing with Akita’s is they are very loyal to their owners, so… she’s possessive and protective of Babs.” He grinned. “But she really loves you.”
He was glad to see the dog take to Colin right away. If she didn’t like the boy, he’d have to give her up. Colin was more important, but he didn’t want to have to do that, so he was glad to see her nice to him.
“Ratatouille.” He pronounced the word, giving the boy a wink. “Alright, have a seat and I’ll pop it in.”
He set the stuff tray down on one of the seats and then went to put the movie into the DVD player. He then returned to the seat beside his son, the try between them to hold the soup bowl.
“Okay. Movie night starts now!”
“Ratatouille. Right.” Colin said, repeating it in his head to remember how to say it. With Zitka at his heels, Colin relaxed into a seat, making sure not to wobble the balanced tray.
As the screen flickered on, Colin started getting excited. He’d never been in a real movie theater before and at this point, it seemed pretty good. And he was watching it with his Dad, his new friend Zitka, and Rory. Plus it was Disney. How great was this?
Flashing a smile at his Dad as he sat down, Colin gazed at the screen and enthusiastically took a bite of his dinner, savoring the meal his Dad had made for him.
Dick settled in with his sandwich, giving Colin a big grin too. He was so glad that this kid was in his life, that he could make him so happy like this. It meant everything to him. He saw pieces of himself in that boy… so happy and full of life and ready to take on the world.
And he had been through a literal nightmare in his young life.
He sat and watched the movie about a rat who made food and brought the whole world to love it. It was absurd but funny in it’s own way. He was just glad to spend time with Colin, with Zitka’s head rested near the boy’s lap. It was fantastic.
“So… I was working on the Clock Tower today. And I know you said you’d be happy with anything, but… I want you to have all your dreams come true in that bed room. So I want to know, if you could have anything… what would it be? Your wildest imagination for a bed room.”
Anonymous sent: ofthefittest