TEN
Wish I could tell by the look in your eyes (where I stand)
Wish I could tell what you're feeling inside (but I can't)
Wish you would say what I'm needing to hear (you want me)
Give me a sign that would make it all clear (just show me)
Don't leave my heart out here on the line
*If You Love Me-Ronan Keating*
Peter stepped out of the lift. He gave the green-and-white tiled corridor a cursory scan. Two nurses were exchanging news near a water cooler. Then, Peter spotted her, all curled up in one of the orange plastic chairs.
"MJ!" He called to her.
When she looked up at him, he thought his heart would break. Her eyes were swollen from crying and her nose was slightly reddish. But when she saw him, a tiny light flickered back in those tired eyes. She ran up to him and threw her arms around him. Oh, how much she wanted to envelope herself in his scent. It made her feel safe and warm, like being wrapped up in a big, soft comforter.
"Are you o.k.?" He asked her.
"I'm fine. I'm so glad you're here now." Mary Jane replied, "Where were you?"
"I-I went to call the ambulance." Peter's face reddened at that little lie.
"And you just disappeared into thin air after that without even telling me a word." Mary Jane said. She sounded hurt. She added, "Where were you when I needed you?"
Not knowing what to say, Peter blurted out, "I thought one superhero stalker would be enough for you."
"Ha-ha! Spiderman." Mary Jane said. Looking up at him, she asked, "Why can't it be you instead?"
Peter kept quiet.
Mary Jane paused and she said something she knew there was no turning back for her.
"Do you want me?" Mary Jane asked him, flat out. "I need to know before it's too late. I can't go on pretending we're just friends when I know we can be something more. I have made up my mind. I want you, Peter Parker-all of you, the man outside and the angel inside. I am not afraid anymore. It's only up to you now." And with that, she turned and walked away.
Tears fell freely from her eyes as she walked out of the hospital. *Damn you, MJ! You've made a total fool of yourself all over again.* She chided herself.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"That's really kind of you, Aunt May but I don't want to be of any bother." Mary Jane said with a smile.
"Pshaw! What nonsense! You youngsters these days think you can survive on adrenaline and exhaust fumes! Aunt May will make both of you a good Sunday lunch as it should be. And I expect second helpings from you!" Aunt May replied.
Both the women had met in a supermarket. Aunt May had come down to Peter's place to stay for the weekend and the first thing she had commented on was that he looks like a war refugee. Peter couldn't tell her how much truth she had in that statement. He was, indeed, fighting a war with himself. A war between choosing the woman he loves and the people of NYC.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Mary Jane helped Aunt May to prepare the lunch. The old lady was making both their favourite vegetable soup. Mary Jane tasted it and told her it was simply superb.
"What do you put into it?" Mary Jane asked.
"Fresh vegetables, tofu and spices…oh, and lots of love."
"Love." Mary Jane murmured, "I wonder where I can find it."
"Just trust your heart to tell you."
"My heart's confused."
"Why don't you try a slice of that?" Aunt May suggested, pointing to the contents of a large pot.
"Mmmm…it's nice. Braised duck?" Mary Jane asked.
"Braised vegetarian mock duck." Aunt May corrected her.
"But it tasted exactly like duck meat!" Mary Jane exclaimed.
"Don't always rely on your worldly senses and don't let them confuse your mind with what your heart is truly saying." Aunt May told her.
Mary Jane was silent, inwardly she was digesting every word Aunt May had said.
"How's Mr. Caldwell and Brad?" Aunt May asked.
"Brad is recovering but Mr. Caldwell is still in coma. It seems he had been pricked by a needle contaminated with a nerve poison."
"Aahh…what's this world coming to? Revenge and killing." Aunt May said.
"I don't know."
"Child, why don't you bring those laundry up to Peter's room. I will be done in a minute." Aunt May said.
Mary Jane complied but she hesitated at the door. She didn't feel comfortable going into his room. It was almost like prying. She left the clothes on the bed and was about to leave when she saw a gold chain lying on the lamp table. She frowned and picked it up.
*It's my necklace! The one I gave to Spiderman. How come it's with Peter?* Mary Jane thought.
"Oh good God! Peter is Spiderman!" Mary Jane gasped.
She heard the front door opened below and Aunt May called out, "Peter! You're back! Come try this soup! I made your favourite!"
Mary Jane quickly replaced the chain and went downstairs, pretending that nothing had happened but she could feel a knot tightening in her gut. She couldn't face Peter. She had to find a way to leave.
"Aunt May, I just remembered that I had to meet one of my lecturers today. I can't believe I was so forgetful. I'm so sorry." She came up with a feeble excuse and left.
Peter stared at the door, his statement inscrutable.
"Maybe she's angry at me." Peter said.
"And rightly so! How long are you going to pretend that you don't love her?" Aunt May asked.
"I-" He began and paused.
"Yes?"
"She wouldn't be able to understand who I really am inside."
"Maybe she already does. And she likes what she finds in you." Aunt May replied.
Peter's eyes widened. He ran up to his room. Everything was in order just as he left it. A pile of clothes was laid on his bed. He was about to turn and go when he saw the gold chain he had left on the lamp table. It was sitting on his bed.
"Not good!"
He ran down and told Aunt May that he was going out for a while. He had to catch Mary Jane and explained everything to her.
"What about lunch?" Aunt May asked.
"Maybe next time." And with that, he was out of the house.
Aunt May stared at the pot of soup. She lifted the ladle and tasted it.
*Everyone just left like that. What could be wrong? Maybe it's something wrong with my soup…but it tasted fine to me.* She thought.
Mary Jane pulled her coat tighter around her. Somehow the whole atmosphere had become colder. Her head was filled with confusing and conflicting thoughts.
*You should have known. The kiss at the cemetery, the kiss in the rain. The ease with which you felt when you're with the two of them.* She told herself.
Peter Parker IS Spiderman!
*Well,then! Why the hell is he keeping it a secret from me?* She thought, angrily.
She was so engrossed with her thoughts that she didn't notice a black shadow creeping up on her. When she finally looked up, it was too late. She felt a sharp prick on her neck and the next thing she see is black oblivion. The New Yorkers remained oblivious to her disappearance and Spiderman was nowhere to be found.
