Wendy Darling was lying to her husband, again. As often as she could without raising alarm or suspicion, she had avoided going to parties with him, claiming fatigue. That he fell for it wasn't a great endorsement for his intelligence. All day long, she did nothing. How could she possibly be tired?
"Wendy," He called. "I'm leaving."
She sighed and hurried down stairs to the door where he waited impatiently. "Have a wonderful time. I really am sorry I can't attend."
"It's all right. Hopefully you'll be more rested tomorrow." He smiled at her patronizingly and leaned in to kiss her. This was her least favorite part of the act. It was like having a taste of ambrosia and then being put on a diet of water for the rest of your life. Compared to the Hidden Kiss, this was a farce.
He left and she was alone in their monstrous house. She had just sat down with a book when Nana started to bark. The last time the dog had barked like that, a boy had flown away with her. A quick scan of the backyard showed nothing. The sky remained clear. Wendy settled back into her chair with a sigh. It really was too much to hope he'd ever come back. And if he did, he'd never stay. What would a wild boy want with a twenty-five year old woman, prim, properly corseted and married?
Just as Wendy rose to go to bed, the doorbell rang. She sighed. Her husband must have forgotten something. When she opened the door, a vaguely familiar person stood in her doorway.
"Hello." She said, slightly wary. "May I help you?"
"Is this the home of Wendy Moira Angela Darling?" The man's voice was deep and almost sad. His blue eyes showed a hint of a sparkle and his suit was a crisp black.
"You mean Wendy Are you an acquaintance of hers?" Wendy asked, pretending to be a maid.
"Yes, I'm a friend of her brother's."
"You know John and Michael?" She was curious now. "John lives in the same house they lived in as children, and Michael lives in the house on the corner. I'm sure they're both home." She smiled and began to close the door.
"I've already visited them." He was staring at her intensely. "I'm here to see you, Wendy."
"Who are you?" She whispered.
"I'm Peter Pan." And that was when she fainted.