BAE Chapter 40

This is uncharted territory in many ways for Barbara. It’s difficult to know how much of what Summer is doing is driven by journalistic curiosity and how much is her desire for excitement. There might be a little old-fashioned romanticism in there as well. Or maybe it’s all the same thing.

Summer is seven years older than Barbara, and divorced her husband four or five years ago when he had some affairs, if Barbara remembers her tabloid gossip correctly. It’s not like she’s shy or new to the idea of a fling, even with someone close to a developing story, but it’s obvious that she’s never been in this situation with a woman before.

Neither has Barbara, for that matter. But she’s not about to let that show.

Summer lives in a nice loft on the more gentrified side of downtown Gotham, a spacious, yet modest and tasteful space. Summer’s walls are neutral, but the lights are dim and the artwork on the walls is bold. Like many of these apartments, she prefers the ambient light of the city to harsh bulbs overhead.

She hasn’t been able to prepare for company, obviously, but she either employs a good housekeeper or she is every bit as tidy as Barbara is at home.

“This is beautiful,” Barbara remarks as Summer lets her in.

“I’m sure it has nothing on wherever you’ll be soon enough,” Summer replies, playing it cool to the very last. “If you keep this up.”

“I like this better than Bruce Wayne’s penthouse,” Barbara says truthfully as Summer hangs up their coats. Summer is still wearing this bemused expression to hide her nerves, as though she finds this situation quaint.

“What would you like to drink?”

“Do you have wine?”

“I do,” Summer says, disappearing into the kitchen.

Barbara’s pantsuit isn’t designed for comfort. She opens a button or two of her blouse and takes off her belt, then gets comfortable on the couch. Summer has a lovely view of the city from her living room.

Summer returns with a bottle and two glasses.

“Really?” Barbara says as Summer is about to sit in the armchair beside the couch.

Summer hesitates, then joins Barbara on the sofa, a chaste one foot of distance between them. Barbara scoots closer as Summer pours the wine.

“Thank you,” she says, accepting her glass. “First one to laugh or blush loses. Go.”

Summer snorts and puts the bottle aside, then takes a drink.

“You and your dad are so different,” she says. It stands to reason that she knows the Commissioner.

“Not as much as you think. The main difference is that I’ve been given a **** that grew me a penis and turned my body chemistry upside down,” Barbara replies casually. “But let’s get serious for a second. You’re right, of course. Keeping Ivy under control is what it all comes down to. I’m rolling the dice that she starts out in good faith. But then I’m rolling the dice on how long we can keep her out of trouble. It won’t be easy.”

Summer nods. She knew Barbara was downplaying that bit in the interview.

“The board wouldn’t support you on this just for PR. The long game must be to bring her into the fold,” Summer predicts.

“Of course. Anything else would be insane,” Barbara tells her frankly. “And that’s our best chance at making it stick. Ivy could be as rich as Bruce Wayne if she wanted to. Let’s have her use her money and her brain to save plants.”

“Why hasn’t she thought of this herself?”

“We all have baggage, Summer. And she’s been keeping certain company. Part of that is on us. We keep throwing these people into Arkham. The chaos has become her normal. We have to show her that there’s another way. And the longer we can keep her calm, the easier it will be for her to keep from slipping back into old habits.”

“Big talk,” Summer says mildly.

“They don’t pay me for small talk.”

“I liked that Wayne Enterprises propaganda you slipped in there. Very nice. Is this all performative? Are you gunning for chairman?”

“Only one way to find out,” Barbara replies. “But you should at least trust me on the Seed issue. I'm privileged, Summer. I'm good with pressure. The Seed attack maybe wasn’t as hard for me to cope with as it was for some women. But it hasn’t been easy. I lost my…” She trails off, rolling her eyes. “Boyfriend because of it.”

Summer looks sympathetic. “I’ve heard a lot of stories like that. Guys being grossed out by it.”

Barbara laughs bitterly. “That’s what hurts. I don’t think he was. But it’s complicated. His baggage, his idea of masculinity. I don’t know.”

“Then why are you flirting with reporters instead of getting him back?”

“I love him. I’ll always love him. But I don’t know if I’m in love with him anymore. I don’t know if he’s the one I want to spend my life with,” Barbara goes on thoughtfully. “There’s complicated stuff on my end too.”

“Like your plans to get public opinion and the media eating out of your hand as you take over Wayne Enterprises.”

“Eating out of my hand,” Barbara repeats, scooting a little closer. “Is that what you’re doing?”

“No. I’m truly conflicted,” Summer admits, scanning your face with her eyes. “You aren’t the easiest person to trust.”

“I’m not asking you to trust me.”

“Just to give you a platform for your agenda.”

Barbara shakes her head. “I’m not here for business. I went on Gotham Insider tonight because you’re the only host in Gotham who hasn’t chosen a side.”

“What do you mean?”

“Things aren’t black and white. The Batman isn’t good or bad. What I’m doing with Ivy isn’t good or bad. Everyone else already has a position. You’re better than that.” Barbara shrugs. Summer is at a loss for what to say. “That, and maybe I have a thing for smart, beautiful redheads,” she adds ironically, sliding one arm around Summer.

Summer looks away and hides her smile behind her glass.

“Smooth. Going to try this with Ivy too?” she asks quietly.

“I haven’t thought that far ahead,” Barbara replies, setting down her glass. She gently moves Summer’s glass aside. “Reporters are curious, right?”

“The good ones,” Summer replies.

“Curious enough to let me kiss you?”