Good Soup
Good Soup
Much to Aunt Deb's surprise, Daredevil had actually agreed to volunteer at the soup kitchen with only some minor coaxing. By minor, she mentioned it over the course of three movie sessions before he finally got the memo. Deb recognized that he wouldn't show up in his vicious costume, and also didn’t know what he looked like under the mask. Frankly she didn’t care. Although it wouldn’t be terrible if he was dashingly handsome.
She knew that a man showing up in a demon mask would scare all the street dwellers from her haven, so he agreed to down dress, and would let her choose a name. Deb, being a woman of culture, decided to pick ‘Earnest’. It sounded so proper, so un-Hell’s-Kitchen.
Earnest was a punctual man, and arrived within a few minutes of said meeting time. His disguise was pretty terrible, Deb thought to herself. He wore large dark sunglasses, a cap with a hoodie over it, gloves, joggers, and of course some generic shoes. It’s like he dressed himself blind. He did have a nice chin though. It looked distinguished, certainly fitting his name.
Deb thought it would be best to introduce Earnest to everyone else before the kitchen opened. She knew he could be a little shy and timid, although he had a beautiful heart.
“Everyone! I’d like you to meet our newest member, Earnest. He likes chamomile tea, films, and martial arts. Make sure to give him a warm welcome,” Deb smiled, pulling Earnest in for a side hug. His mouth creased upward into a smile as he tilted his head down. Poor fellow wasn’t blessed with socials, though he had a quiet charm to him. He’d fit in just perfectly.
Deb also noticed that when Earnest walked, he had a limp on his left leg. It was probably far more painful than it looked.
The beginning of the soup line was pretty easy going, until a certain man appeared. He was a good looking man she recognized as Turk Barrett, notorious for his mini operations, that of the illegal variety. Apparently Turk recognized Earnest as well, and not in a good way.
“Nawww, this shit ain’t for real. I’d know that chin anywhere man, you crazy? I’d been minding my own business, gettin’ soup, and then you show up? C’mon man, gimme a break. I gotta bear your breath down my back at night, just let me eat my soup, man,” Turk ranted, obviously quite annoyed. He was definitely aware of Earnest’s night hobby, but didn’t seem like he could do anything about it. After all, the soup kitchen was an asylum for all. To wage war in heaven would be a ticket to hell.
“If you didn’t put your hand in the cookie jar it’d never get stuck,” Earnest simply replied, a dead tone to his voice. It appeared as if this wasn't the first time they'd spoken of this matter, and certainly not the last.
Turk squinted, puckering his lips. He was reading Daredevil's name tag. “If this ain’t drugs I’m just crazy. What the hell, no way your name’s Earnest. Frick this, I’m out”
“See you later then, make sure to brush your teeth. Wouldn’t want you to get cavities.”
“That don't even rhyme,” Turk replied sarcastically, walking out of the building.
Earnest had a good time despite the slight hiccup, and even let Deb give him an ice pack to take home. He was making a difference in more than one way, even for people who didn’t deserve it. Even Turk loosened up a bit, he had donuts and coffee for Daredevil when he got caught for breaking and entering later that night. Daredevil was feeling gracious after all the meals and community cleaning that evening, and let him off with a warning. Perhaps it was even the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Not really, but it couldn't hurt to dream.