Friends with the Enemy

30) Wandering

"I know it's a chapter book, Alfred, but I can handle it. There's nothing else good here!" Dick complained. Alfred couldn't possibly expect him to read one of his boring adult books. (No offense to him.)

"I'll help you find something that you'll like. Just, uh, put that book back, please." Alfred asked. Bruce was going to hear from him big time.

"Um.. okay?" Dick responded. Alfred was acting sorta weird, but whatever. He stood up and placed the book back where it belonged.

"Alright," the man sighed, part of it was from relief that Dick hadn't read the contents of the book he had in his hands moments ago, "the books here aren't exactly for kids, so there might not be much to enjoy. I'll be sure to ask Master Bruce to order children's books when he comes back from work. For now, let's see what we have..."

Alfred began searching through the shelves alphabetically while Dick gave the tea another shot. It wasn't nearly as hot anymore, thankfully. Dick thought it didn't taste bad but he it didn't exactly taste good. He heard that tea was supposed to be good for you, though, so just continued to sip on it.

As he did that, he observed the room. There was a large grandfather clock that caught his attention for some reason. Something about it seemed off, but he couldn't tell what. Dick walked up to it and eyed it suspiciously. He felt silly for doing so, though. After all, it was just some old clock.

"Master Dick, perhaps this interests you?" Alfred called out.

Dick turned away from the clock and met up with the butler again. In his hands was a book that was about historical monuments. Whatever that meant anyways.

"Um.." Dick didn't know what to say. He didn't want to be rude, but that looked so boring that he could fall asleep right there and then.

"I know, you don't have to say it. I thought that someone educational would do a little good since you aren't in school and you haven't started homeschooling here yet. I'm sorry that there isn't anything to your liking here for you. I should have thought about that before I invited you to read with me." Alfred muttered disappointedly.

"Don't apologize!" Dick exclaimed. "You were just trying to be nice! You're right, it would be good if I read a bit. It's not your fault all the books here are long and boring."

The eight-year-old's eyes widened after he blurted that. "Ack! Sorry I didn't mean-"

"Don't worry too much about it. Even I find a few of the books here dreary. Bruce has.. a unique preference in literature, I suppose." Alfred confessed.

"Oh.." Dick awkward muttered. "Well, I think I'll just not read anything. I should leave so I don't bother you."

Alfred put the book back where he got it from. "You're not bothering me at all, Master Dick. And since you're leaving, I might as well go back to tidying up the manor."

Alfred went to the kitchen to return the tea kettle and cups while Dick took of his cape and used it as a blanket as he lied on the couch, watching more news reports on Superman.

As fascinated as Superman was, even Dick could get bored of him after spending hours watching him flying around the city, saving people and kicking bad guy butt. He wanted to be doing something exciting himself. But last time he tried that, Alfred stopped him.