Chapter 117 [Lex/Parker Table]
Aunt May looked about the café. Ambiance reminded her of the theaters she went to as a teenager. Long gone scents of cotton candy and popcorn wafted to her nose from the floorboards. She could swear that Lana could have worked a concession counter in that place.
Her Ben would've loved this place….
"Something inspires you, Mrs. Parker?" Lex sipped on his coffee.
"It's this place. It almost seems like it would have been a real theater in an earlier era." May looked around. "That girl would've fit here."
"Very astute, Mrs. Parker. This place is an old theater. Lana and I show old movies in the back. Our plan is to add some other auditoriums. As for Lana, her mother worked the concession counter right about where she's standing. Like with everything else, there's a place for everything and everyone," Lex clarified.
"There's a place for them in New York as well." May insisted.
"Aunt May. We don't want to shut you out. Wherever we end up, we want you with us." Peter squeezed her hand.
"You're family not just a relic. Please. I'm attached to my house too. We've got dreams too. We want you to share in them," Gwen insisted. "Nothing's been decided. But it's too good of an opportunity for Peter. He can be full time or part time and go to school. I can afford to do school and student teach."
"So you've decided?" Lex took a mouthful of coffee.
"I really have the teaching bug. This internship isn't what I expected but it's really opening my eyes." Gwen looked around. "I like the pace here and in Metropolis. It's not that I don't like New York. It's home. We all need to look forward."
"I see how everyone is here. I have to admit that I thought Peter and you were being pushed into this whole thing. I can't believe how nice and genuine everyone is here. I hope Metropolis is the same," May relented.
"That's why I'm doing the interview. I also have a piece to write this weekend for the Planet on this place. I've been living in the archives when I'm not observing classes." Peter cast his eyes toward the plaque. "This is historic site, Aunt May."
"Truly so?" May looked toward the plaque in the far corner. "So it was really here in the 1930s and 1940s?"
"Yes it was. My name's on that plaque. So is David Dubois' as well. We made sure this place is standing along with other folks. The Kents who you met last night were on the protest line. Lana's mother was out there. Their spirit is still here." Lex motioned toward the front. "And the happy feeling you feel is real. See Lana and her co-worker? They had their Questions popped to them just this afternoon right here. Mr. Dubois had his first official date with his girlfriend at the time right here. He did a poetry reading in the old auditorium. One day soon, he will do so again." He smiled.
"He and Dr. Dubois decided?" Gwen perked up.
"She's talking to Lowell Medical Center in Granville. They want an oncologist of her caliber. She'll need some time to get back up to speed. I think she'll be all right. They'll keep their farm north of Albany. I'll get them back and forth on occasion. Meantime, I hear Met U. wants a medievalist. He'll be in Metro Tuesday through Thursday. He'll be riding back with us." Lex announced.
"That's great. I'd hate to see talent like that go to waste." Peter nodded. "And we'll have someone on campus to touch base with."
"You see, Peter? That is what I am getting at! Do not sit and waste your talent." May offered a smile. "Maybe you can help me on that computer? I don't understand it but…."
"Don't worry, Aunt May. We'll figure something out that you'll like too." Gwen hugged her.
"That goes double for me." Peter kissed her cheek.
Lex sat back and enjoyed the ambiance.
And everything seemed at peace….