Ian watched his good father go off to do justice, feeling rather nostalgic for this kind of everyday routine. Only after a long while did he withdraw his gaze.
"Let's go. We're taking a whole pile of stuff back," he said to Black Box.
Black Box's voice rang out.
"You're not going to help?"
"He doesn't need me."
Ian turned and walked toward the parking lot. He put the shopping bags into the trunk, sat in the driver's seat, and started the car. The car slowly drove out of the parking lot.
Onto the highway.
Although Ian was not yet old enough to drive, his Hellcat had self-driving, so it did not count as him driving. Naturally, it was reasonable and legal.
Fields receded beyond the car window. Wheat waves rolled, and trees swayed in the wind.
Ian looked at the road.
The Hellcat drove very steadily, neither fast nor slow.
Soon, they were home.
Ian parked the car and lifted the shopping bags out of the trunk. They were heavy, but he did not need to use superpowers. An ordinary person's strength was enough.
"Time to eat, time to eat!"
He shut the car door and carried the bags toward the front door. The door opened, and Lois stood in the doorway, an apron tied around her waist and a spatula in her hand.
"You're back?" Lois asked.
"I'm back," Ian said.
"Where's your dad?"
"He had something to take care of. He'll be back in a bit."
Lois did not ask further. She took one shopping bag and turned back toward the kitchen. "Put everything away, wash your hands, and we'll eat in a bit."
Ian changed his shoes and put the groceries on the kitchen counter. The milk went into the fridge, the eggs went into the