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The suit feels like a straightjacket. It’s itchy, and despite his father’s insistence that it is perfectly tailored to his body, Tim still feels like it is too tight in several places. It is taking him a while to finish dressing so he can join his parents at the gala.
A knock sounds on the door, his mother’s soft pattern. “Honey? Are you okay in there?” When she doesn’t get a response, she lets herself in. Tim’s eyes are glued to the mirror in front of him, staring at himself as his mother approaches behind him. “I don’t like it,” he finally says. “The suit?” his mother inquires as she puts a hand on his shoulders. “We can get you a different one.” “No, I want–” Tim’s words get stuck as a lump in his throat. It’s so difficult to just say what he wants. His mother’s eyes soften. “Come with me.”
She leads him out of his bedroom and down the long hallway into her own room, and into the massive walk-in closet. Everything is organized by color, and she flicks through the rack of black, looking for something. “Here,” she says, pulling out a black cocktail dress. “On me it’s a little too short for this event, but on you it should fit perfectly.” Tim almost sobs in relief realizing his– her mother understood her perfectly. Her mother turns away so she can put on the dress, and helps her zip it up in the back.
“So,” she asks as the two of them stand in front of a mirror again, her hand on her much happier daughter’s shoulder. “What should I call you?” “Caroline,” she whispers as a tear falls down her cheek, a wide smile aimed at the both of them. Janet wipes it with her thumb, softly, “None of that, now Caroline, we have to keep your face dry for your makeup.”
Jack has been waiting in the foyer for an hour by the time his family comes down the stairs. He starts to say something, but stops when he sees the two women. “Her name is Caroline,” Janet says matter-of-factly, not giving him any room to question her. He wouldn't, simply following along with whatever his beautiful wife told him.
At the Wayne Charity Gala, Janet happily flits around with her daughter on her arm. Guests give the girl one look and Janet is happy to introduce her, “You’ve met my daughter, Caroline?” Her voice swells with pride, and the guests are too drunk or embarrassed at the prospect of forgetting someone’s name to question it. Even Bruce Wayne, when he comes over, takes it in stride.
“Oh, Mrs. and Ms. Drake! It is so lovely to see you.” The man is genuinely polite as he takes Caroline’s hand when she puts it out just as her mother taught her. He doesn’t kiss it like he does with Janet’s, just touches his forehead to it for a moment before saying, “I am so sorry but I seem to have forgotten your name, how rude of me.” Caroline gives a shy smile, the first time she’s had to introduce herself. “I’m Caroline.” Bruce smiles and lets go of her hand. “Wonderful to meet you Caroline. Please, enjoy yourselves. I have to address the room now, but I will see you around tonight.” Bruce wanders off, and Caroline happily flits through the crowd with her mother.