Recovery

The Club

I am sitting in my booth at my club. 

The Smile and Grin.

Harley is sitting in my lap, whispering something.

I automatically look up to see a little boy.

He is shivering, dripping wet and Harley jumps up, bombarding him with questions.

What's your name?

Are you okay?

Do you want a blanket?

Where are your parents?

I am only thinking about whether it started raining outside or not.

Then she turns to me, her eyes gleaming and I can hear the question before she says it.

"Can we keep him?"

I hold in a sigh and look at the boy.

He looks so small.

So weak.

Where are his parents?

I feel a spark of sympathy in my chest and look at Harley, nodding.

"What is your name, boy?"

His eyes widen and he points at me, "You're the Joker, aren't you?"

I laugh and nod, "The one and only. But I don't like repeating myself."

He nods quickly and says, "W-William. My name is William.. sir?"

He ends on a question and I nod approvingly.

"Nice to meet you William. My girl wants to take you in. Would you be up for it?"

Will looks at Harley, pale.

It would be stupid to say no.

Harley gets what she wants and she wants him.

He nods, "I would be, mister."

Harley claps and hugs the boy, ignoring the fact he is wet from being outside.

"Thank you Mistah J!"

I shake my head, "It's nothing, Harls. Now where is Jonny?"

He appears at the front of the booth and I smile at him.

"Can you get this young man some dry clothes, maybe a meal?"

Jonny nods, "You got it boss."

I grin and turn towards William and Harley.

She starts talking immediately.

"We should get an apartment. Oooh, we should buy a house!"

Jesus that was fast.

"Won't the warehouse do?"

She shakes her head, "No it will not! This boy deserves a proper home and upbringing!"

She sounds like she is somewhere else.

In her head.

"Okay, how about we look tomorrow?"

She nods and kisses my cheek, "Thank you Puddin'!"

I shake my head, waving my hand dismissively.

This boy is reveling in Harley's attention.

Maybe he just isn't used to getting it?

Jonny comes back in with an outfit and a towel and some mac and cheese.

I raise my eyebrows and he shrugs.

I laugh a little, shaking my head as he hands the outfit to the boy.

"Show him where the changing room is."

Jonny leads him away and I look at Harley, "Doll, how are we going to keep him? You know I have people going after me all the time."

Harley gets a defensive look in her eyes, "I am going to protect him."

I raise my hands, "Fine, but if he dies, it's on you. I'll try and keep him safe but with our lifestyle..."

She nods, "He might die. I know."

I nod and watch as William comes back in and starts scarfing down the mac and cheese while Harley brushes his hair out of his face.

This is going to be interesting.