Waiting and Party

'I've had a very strange dream' -I thought the next day after waking.-'We took care of Spiderman and I lent to him my baby-seal-slippers.'

I recalled his pale, spirited face, sincere, blue eyes and the shy smile. It slowly occurred to me it was not a dream at all. And it meant I could go in a moment to the next room and see him again .I could not wait for this but at the same time I feared something.

With my heart beating I pressed the handle and opened the door. I slowly raised my head and glanced at the bed.

It was empty and on the pillow there lay a leaf of paper folded in web.

I came closer and read;

Thank you for all. You were wonderful for me butii have to find Doc Ock. Wendy, stroke Hermione from me. Peter.

I stood for a while like turned to stone staring at the sheet of paper. With my mind's eyes I saw him again fighting with the Human Octopus, wounded, weak and maybe even killed.

When I saw the baby-seal-slippers standing by the bed, I burst out with a hysteric crying. And then something moved under and there appeared before me the fluffy black snout and green little eyes of Hermione. The kitty rubbed against my legs and meowed woefully.

I sat on the floor and held the slippers very tight trying to feel in them the remains of his presence.

Hermione kept on rubbing against me and looking at me comfortingly with her green eyes.

-What happened, Wendy? - asked dad standing in the open door.

I could not utter a word. I did not know how to explain my tears. I knew, though, who he was and that he had to return to his tasks. Hard to imagine him, the heroic Spiderman, spending the rest of his life drinking cocoa and stroking my kitty.

Dad read the paper yet he understood the reason of my crying different.

-Don't be afraid. He will surely manage - he said to cheer me up.

-Sure - I answered in tears, glad that I did not have to explain any more. I knew, however, that it was not the anxiety for Spidey that was the most crucial here but the suspition I would not be able to talk to him any more. He would for ever remain a distant hero, not the blue-eyed Peter.

I realized he signed with his real name. Did it mean he wanted to be in our memories as a ordinary man? But probably I would never find out who the man was. Maybe it was better to really treat it all like a dream.

I apparently came back to my daily routines yet I could not stop thinking about Peter. It was enought that I was composing a buquet of red flowers or saw in the street someone dressed in red, to see him before me again.

I read in a newspaper that Spiderman beat Doc Ock. However I did not think of the details of that battle yet what Peter was doing now.

I started wondering what he might do. He was about 20, and with his intelligence he could be a student. I became more and more certain about it till I had to go in the vincinity of the University where I tried to spot his face in the crowd of young people. Ater I was angry with myself. If even he studied there, what would we talk about? We had helped him in need, he said thank you and that was all. Certainly he had his life, perhaps a girlfriend...

I reminded his embarrassment then in the bathroom. Ok, maybe he had no girlfriend but could be dreaming of someone. And surely many notices him too. Which girl would not like such a boyfriend: handsome, clever, responsible, subtle and Spiderman in addition...

I had to admitt to myself that I was in a crush with him. And always I had approached such fascinations of my friends with scepticism. I had not understood how could one state one was in love after spending together only a few hours, when really one did not know anything about another. Yet I was sure I had seen Peter from his most intimate side and that he was so close to me as if I had kown him for years.

I was still analysing each moment spent together, every his word and gestrure. I knew that if I was to never meet him again, this memory would be for me for ever the most precious and most hidden treasure.

Sometimes still I would be caught be a yearning so intense that it was a physical pain to me. The worst it was after waking up, because I was with him in my dreams. We were talking, laughing... Once even we strated kissing. It was so live that I woke up at the same time happy and sad. I was not able for a long while to get up only I was whimpering into Hermione's fur. The feline was snuggling to me and purring softly as if she had understood all and yearned after him, too.

On one October evening I was sitting at home alone because dad went for bridge to his freinds. I tried watching some film but I still saw Peter's face on the screen.

And all at once I haerd a short, intterupted door bell, which sounded once more in a second. I looked through the window and saw a dark sihouette on the porch.

-Who's there? - I shouted.

And there came the familiar voice, exactly the same as I remebered it.

-Wendy, its me, Peter.

I rushed downstaris like a firebolt but Hermione was even faster and only swished between my legs

My hands were so shaky that I had difficulties with opening the door. It merely opened and Hermione jumped with a loud purring at our guest.

And I was standing on the doorstep like as petrified before I dared to raise my head and look at him. He was there, in normal clothes and he was holding a buch of tiny white flowers in his hand.

-I'ts for you - he said and I noticed he was also embarrassed.

-But wha's the occasion?- it was a miracle that I could utter a whisper.

-I wanted to say thanks for your care one more time.

So he really wanted to see me once more while I had been only dreaming of seeing him in the street by accident. I could not bear the excess of emotinos and I burst out crying.

Peter embraced me at once and held very tight. I felt in his arms so peacefully and safe that I wanted to remain there for eternity. I so much wanted that now he took care of me and protect me.

-I am sorry but I've been longing for you so - i whispered at last to his ear. And at once I got scared I revealed to him my feelings.

-But I am already with you - answered Peter, who treated my confession quite natural.

-Maybe we enter - I suggested trying to speak about something more specific.

I took the flowers from him and opened the door. Hermione, which had been all that time rubbing at our legs, jumped in and run in leaps before us like a small kitten.

Peter took his jacket off in the hall. When he remained in a quilted vest I was again struck with how much he was tiny.

-Will you drink a cup of tea? -I asked trying to treat him like an ordinary guest.

-Yes, please - he said silently.

I came into the kitchen and started preparing the tea-pot and cups. I felt his gaze on my back and when I turned my head he cast his down down and blushed.

The same was surely happening with me and at once I recollected the circumstances of his other blush.

-I heard of your victory over Doc Ock - I heard my own voice after a long while. - It must have been a dreadful monster.

-Not at all - Peter denied violently.- He was an unhappy, lost man who at last had understood his guilt and redeemed it.

I could not believe he was defending his worst enemy.

-You know, I knew him earlier - he added, understanding how strange might have sounded his previous words.

-Really?

-Yes, he was a friend of my university lecturer. I was impressed with him, frankly. I even wanted to write a paper on him and was happy to have met him personally. Only then this accident happened...

So he really was a student. I was glad there was some neutral topic for a chat.

-What do you study? - I asked.

-Physics. Besides I cooperate with some newspaper as a photographer.

-How do you manage to do all these? - I was surprised.

He sighed and rubbed his forehead with his hand.

-Sometimes it is difficult to do everything on time. I even lost one job because of it and had troubles at the college.

He was speaking calmly about it but I felt great pity. He must have had some many problems yet he bore it with such a self-control. I again noticed he tried to be at least as possible disturbing for others.

I put a cup with hot tea before him. When he held out his hand I could not resist any longer and touched tenderly his face.

And I became scared at once for Peter began to tremble in all his body. I had already forgotten he was so innocent that every touch of another person roused in him such strong emotions.

I withdrew my hand even if I still wanted to feel his warm skin beneath my fingers.

-I am sorry, perhaps I've done something you did not want - I tried to explain.

Peter got ashamed again.

-Not at all. It was very nice. Simply nobody hasn't for a long time...

'I will still touch and hold you' -something was shouthing inside me.

I composed myself yet and said:

-Could I see your photos once?

He looked at me with astonishment. I hoped he did not think I meant his Spiderman photos in some trashy newspapers.

-I mean the photos you make. You told you are a photographer.

-I am afraid you would not think they are very unconventional.

-Don't be so modest, they must be beautiful for you must be a true artist.

'What am I doing? I am telling him compliments like some girl-tennagers. Surely he will think now I am that foolish. I have to start speaking on another topic .'

-Do you have a family?- this questin was also not good because it might have suggested to much interest in his private life.

-I am an orphan. My uncle and aunt brought me up. Happily Peter did not suspect me of nosiness. -Uncle died two years ago and my aunt lives uptown where I often visit her. When I finished school I rented a room in the center to closer to my college.

-Do you enjoy living there?

-Frankly speaking, not much. My landlord keeps shouting at me all the time and urges for the money and I sometimes have none. But for now I cannot afford a better flat.

-You may stay with us, though - we heard a voice from the door.

Dad was standing in the dooorway and seemed not at all surprised with the sight of our guest.

-Good evening, sir. -said Peter. -I came to say thank you one more time. I hope you aren't angry?

-Of course I am angry - said dad seriously and my heart probably stopped beating for a second. - You should have come earlier because my daughter only stares for hours at the Spiderman's photo which she hang in her room.

-But dad, what are you telling! - I was only hoping Peter would not believe that nonsense.

What, can't I even joke a bit? - dad seemed to be amused with our embarrasment and Peter lowered his head and once again blushed.

-But gravely speaking, boy, have you managed to mend that crap of yours? And maybe some of you girl-fans has done this?

'Oh no, my father is impossible. Surely Peter will feel offended and go out in a while'

-No, I mended it myself - Peter answered fast. - take look at it yourself.

He unbuttoned his shirt and showed a fragment of his red outfit. And I felt hot because I recollected our previous meeting when he had been so torn and weak.

-Dad what have you been talking that he may stay with us? - I tried to talk my embarrassment over.

-Do you have something against it?

-Of course not, but would he want it? -I did not dare to dream it could be true.

-Obviously, I would feel nice here but I have little money - Peter was able to utter at last.

-No talking about money, you may stay for free. It will be an honour for us, won't be Wendy?

-But I cannot like that- Peter tried.

And then Hermione, lying so far under the table jumped onto his lap and started licking him with her warm little pink tongue.

-You won't say no to such a cat - I said, trying to sound carefree.

Peter, stroking Hermione, raised his head and looked deep into my eyes.

-I won't say no - he said gravely and I felt very strangly.

-Woohoo! - shouted dad at once. - We have to celebrate this. I am fetching the wine!

-Dad, haven't you drunk something already?

-To say the truth I am under-drunk and will gladly drink with our guest.

And dad went on to the room woohooing merrily.

-I am sorry for my dad, he is just making fun like that - I was trying to explain when we stayed alone.

-But not at all, you father is terrific.

In a while we were sitting together at the table, drinking red wine. At this Peter also was not well for after only one glass he began to smile happily and make faces even sweeter than usual.

For me it was all a bit unreal - only some hours ago I had been in such despair and now I was drinking wine with him and going to live with him in the same house.

Three was less and less wine in the bottle, Peter was behaving more and more freely and dad was in his element and had more and more curious ideas.

-Well boy, so maybe you now show us what the spiders can and then I am fetching another wine - he said to Peter. - But then there will only be the drunken spiders.

Dad stood up and reeling a bit he went out of the kitchen.

When we were alone Peter smiled apologetically and said;

-I must have really got drunk a bit but it feels so good now.

I felt the necessity to hold his hand again and he squeezed it tightier.

-This also feels very good - he spoke seriously.

In this moment dad came back and put another bottle on the table.

Peter got up and shouted:

-Attention!

He fastly unbuttoned his shirt, slipped off his trousers and in asecond he was standing before us in the whole beauty of his 'duty' outfit. He reached out his hands from which there shot two webs as fast as firebolts, directed towards the ceiling. He jumped up, turned in the air for several times, so fast that there was only a red flash before our eyes and in a moment he was hanging glued to the ceiling.

Full of amazement we started to applaude him and he cried out:

-The heck, I am really drunk!

He fell off the ceiling down to the floor with a thump.

We knew nothing bad happened to him and we all started laughing. Peter took off his mask and said:

-Sorry, but in my present state I can only catch cats in my webs.

And at once there was Hermione gliding towards him with loud meowing.

He drew her closer, stroked the black fur and spoke:

-Sorry kitty, but I wanted to kiss you so quickly.

He stuck with his lips to her ruffles ans she delightfully closed her eyes and purred loudly.

-And how you do this that you can walk the ceiling?- asked dad.

Peter held out his hands and showed us as if minute claws protruding from his fingers.

-I have the same on my feet - he added and I recollected taking off his boots.

-It's quite like with the cats - I spotted - Right dad?

But dad was meanwhile in Peter's mask which he was now unable to take off. He was trying to say something but we could not understand his mumbling.

Peter helped him to get rid of the mask and dad, dizzled, breathed with relief and asked;

-How do you breathe in it, the hell?

-Spiders do not need so much oxygen - Peter explained.

-But now the Spider needs to go to bed - stated dad.

-Exactly, it's late and I have to go - Peter tried to put himself together but he could not stand upright.

-Forget it, boy, sleep here, and you will bring your things tomorrow.

-And the baby-seal-slippers are waiting for you - it slipped from my lips and Peter smiled sweetly.