Sunny Daze Read Free

week on Sunday nights.  We all gather around the big screen and talk--mostly to Grandma.  Superior is usually standing in the background next to the shiny ice walls of their front room, watching silently.  I’ve never actually had a full conversation with the guy.  He’s kind of… off-putting.  Look, I don’t know if you know all the greats of the super world, or any of that, but Superior is the guy that started the Hall.  He’s the guy that stood above every single hero that ever came after him, and probably the ones that came before him, too.  That doesn’t change the fact that he’s a serious jerk. 
    Grandma is a lot nicer, and she was once a member of the U.S.S.R.  Yeah, that says a lot, doesn’t it?  Well, sort of.  Grandma’s awesome.  She’s this huge S-class tank--she’s actually almost the same size as Superior, but with, you know, girly parts.  She loves the color pink, though, so she’s always running around in pink sweaters and wearing pink heart earrings.  I could see her going to a tea party without a second of hesitation--even one with little girls. Just picture this massive, muscular woman that’s over six feet tall sitting at a tiny table with her pinky finger up as she sips imaginary tea.  Got the picture?  Yep, that’s my grandma.
    I get out of the shower and dry off, grabbing a pair of boxers from the counter.  I head into the front room again, expecting to head straight for bed.  Unfortunately Liz grabs me before I make it.  “Wait, what--” I start out.
    “You’re going to make the call,” she tells me cheerfully, carrying me to the couch as if I weigh nothing.  To her I probably don’t.
    “In my boxers?” I yelp as I get tossed onto the couch.  Before I can run the TV is on and I’m staring at Grandma Tatia--wearing only a pair of Mega boxers.  “Not cool,” I hiss at Liz, grabbing the blanket off of the back of the couch and covering myself.
    “Sunny!  You are starting to develop muscles!” Grandma says cheerfully.  “I told your Grandfather that it was only a matter of time!”
    I turn bright red, I know I do.  “Um, yeah, it’s all the training for school,” I say.  “I got a little taller, too!” I brag, because seriously, I was worried I’d be short my entire life.  “But Grandma, is Su--um, is Grandpa there?” I ask.
    “Of course!” she says.  “Clifford!  Your grandson wishes to speak to you!” she bellows, stepping off screen.  I hear a whooshing sound and know he came flying.  From that loud of a noise, he was going pretty fast.
    “Is there a problem?” Superior asks, appearing on the screen.  I hesitate, glancing over my shoulder at Dad and Aunt Liz--both are staying out of sight, the chickens.
    “Tell him,” Liz prompts.  Dad just stands there, frowning slightly.  I have no idea what he’s thinking.
    “Well… um… Aunt Liz is here,” I say, totally ratting her out.  “She wants to know if you’ve told Grandma Tatia about her.”
    “And who is Liz?” I hear Grandma ask in the background.  The look on Superior’s face is priceless--he looks as if he’s going to blow a gasket or something.  I don’t even know what a gasket it, but I’m definitely sure he can blow it if he wants to.  “Is there yet another secret you are keeping from me?” she demands, coming into view again.
    “Well… honey…” he starts out.  “I know it doesn’t seem like long to you, but in my timeline--”
    “Enough of the dancing around, Clifford!  Who is ‘Aunt Liz’?” Grandma demands, her tone getting sharp.
    “She’s… ah… our daughter?” Superior asks in a very hesitant tone.
    “Our?”
    “Well, her mother’s no longer in the picture--”
    “Who is this mother?”
    “I think her name was um… Sparky, right?” I offer.  I probably shouldn’t have said that, I realize a second too late.  Superior is glowering at me as if he would reach through the screen if he could.
    “YOU HAD A CHILD WITH