Communication failures

Her lip pouting, Susan stormed down the hall to where Reed was working in the lab, muttering to herself as the news feed still rattled away in her mind.

“Mommy Long Legs, just what the hell were they thinking?!” She hissed between her clenched teeth. “I mean SURE, I’m a mother of two, but I think I look pretty good considering.”

Stopping over to the washroom, Susan took a step inside and looked herself over in the mirror, turning her face back and forth and even giving her reflection a pose. Yes… She had long legs, it’s ONE of the reasons she had a modelling career. That and her narrow waist, full chest, and stunning beauty. Combing her fingers through her long blonde hair, Susan checked over her face with a scrutinizing eye. Sparkling blue eyes, heart-shaped face, plump lips and rosy cheeks, all framed with flowing blonde hair that shimmered in the overhead light. There was a GOOD reason so many supervillains and mad kings have showed up at the front door telling her to drop Reed for them.

“Mommy Long Legs… Sounds like the name you give to your grandmother dealing with a mid-life crisis!”

Oh yes, for a mother of two, she was stunning! That and more. She didn’t see the cause, but the symbiote had only made her look healthier and more beautiful since she had been bonded to it. Like a new organ filtering toxins out of her body (because it WAS), her skin never looked creamier smooth, filled with more elasticity and youth than it was since she was in her twenties. Her muscles were firmer, stronger, like she had been running and doing aerobics all her life, and her hair was filled with body and vibrancy. She was now in the peak of her health, ironically from eating several pounds of chocolate to feed the parasite keeping its host as healthy as possible to live off. Smirking, she turned and raised her hair over her shoulder in one hand and struck a pose to show off her back, smirking back at her reflection.

“Still got it! But… I could have a little more.”

Willing the symbiote to change its appearance. Susan watched as her sweater and jeans changed into a blue silk dress. One that was snug around her figure and highlighted her slim waist, pushed up her chest. Smiling back at the new attire, she willed her face to have glossy blue lipstick and soft blue eye liner to match. Stepping back, she gave her new dress a lookover, turning back and forth where her dress swished to the motion.

“Pff… NOW who’s Mommy Long Legs? More like Mommy Yes Please!” Liking the look more and more, a thought came to mind that only made her smile look more smug, tilting her shoulder to her reflection. “Let’s see how Reed likes THIS look.”

Stepping out of the washroom in her new sundress and matching blue pumps, Susan made her way into the lab where she found her husband dutifully at work, studying in front of a microscope while he scribbled away his findings. Finding her opportunity, Susan leaned against the wall and posed in a way that would have left any man slack jawed from the allure.

“HELLO Reed, like what you see?”

Not turning his head, Reed smiled and nodded automatically all while keeping his focus on his work.

“Oh yes, quite so dear.” He answered, delicately turning a dial to his microscope. “I’ve been studying the minerals we collected from that planet last week, VERY interesting composition, I’m documenting what radiological effects a purple sun has on the elemental table of a planet similar to earth where we got them.”

Pursing her lips into a pout, Susan stepped closer and bent at the waist to come to eye level with her husband, changing the appearance of her dress to have a cleavage window to gain his attention.

“I got a new dress for you Reed. You like the look? Does it make me look lovely?” She asked, tilting her face to the side, and combed her fingers through her long blonde hair to draw attention to her fluttering eyes. “I bet I look like I did when you first fell in love with me.”

Still not turning his head, or blinking as he looked down at the microscope, Reed replied mechanically again. “Hmm? Yes dear, very nice. Just like that very day.”

“You’re not even LOOKING reed!”

“Well… You’ve always looked lovely in anything you wear sweetheart… Nice red dress by the way.”

Standing up straight and wringing her hands at her sides, Susan spun around her heel and marched out of the lab. When the door behind her closed, the woman stamped her heeled foot on the floor, the act instantly changed her attire back to her previous sweater and jeans over her body. Storming her way down the hall back towards the living room, She spotted her brother and friend still watching the news and sneered at the nick name her alter ego had been given.

“I’m heading out to blow off steam, if you’re looking for dinner tonight, ask HERBIE to make something simple.”

Slamming the door behind her, Ben and Johnny traded a single look and shrugged.

“Looks like Reed’s in hot water again with Suzie.”

“Yeah…” Groaned Johnny, still rubbing the sore spot to his cheek after the slap. “Wonder if he got it as bad as I did. Whatever it was I did…”

Shrugging, Ben turned the channel to a sports program. “Well, if its Reed’s turn to cook tonight, that means I aughta order a pizza. Guy can split atoms easy enough, but he burns cereal every time he tries to make breakfast, even with HERBIE helpin.”