Chapter 25 [Dubois Farm—Half an Hour Later]
[A/N: Lionel and Lillian Luthor are from Smallville which belong to DC and the CW.]
Peter sat at the table. Corned Beef's Aroma teased his nose. Cider's Tang and Sweet danced across his tongue. Interviews' Bounty sat in front of himself. Numbness muddled thoughts. Worry chilled him about Aunt May, Gwen and her Dad.
So much for work and enjoyment….
He drained Cider's last bits from the glass. Brother Tony doesn't want a war. Did anyone bother to tell the Rider and Crew about that? He wandered from there toward Blue Ribbons' Display on adjacent wall. He studied the collection. I know people win ribbons but these folks ran away with them. Wow! Camera snapped off a couple of shots.
"Momma thought most other things like that to be vain. She never had a problem with that. Guess it's because it came from hard work." Angie watched him from across the room. "Sorry. I just came in. You seem a thousand miles away."
"Sorry, Doc. It was a heavy morning. Ran into your horror show at the fairground during interviews." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I was just admiring your family's collection of ribbons. They're something else. People usually have one thing they're great at. I mean look at this! William, that's your Dad, right?, he has that row for livestock. I know Jennifer's your mother. You two have two rows of ribbons for your pies. She has three more for quilts. And you won plenty of races." He shook his head.
"Daddy would say that hard work leads to opportunity, Peter. Opportunity puts us at the line to compete and grow a world." Angie raised an eyebrow. "It's not like you don't have your awards. Your practice and dedication earned those opportunities. You've just raised taking selfies to an artform." Smirk jabbed at him.
He had to smile. "Guess I never thought of it that way. Thanks, I think." He scratched his head. "By the way, Cybelle took me to the church. She and I told Brother Tony about this morning. I've been around a few priests and ministers in my time. He sure has a presence. I actually felt it in there."
"Brother Tony's been my minister, friend, teacher and rock all my life…well other than my parents and Dave." Angie motioned for him to follow her back into the kitchen. "He doesn't waver. He's stood up to some of the darkest stuff you can imagine. Consequently, he earned that respect. Not that he wants it that way. He holds the line even against the Big Bad Kid himself." Sigh escaped her lips. "Dave and he have had arguments. Still, they respect each other."
"Yeah. I'll bet." Imagination played out potential scenarios—none of them good—across Mind's Eye. "And that Brother Andrew guy? Brother Tony brought him up. Guess he's coming? Who's he?"
"Brother Andrew Patterson was Dave's first minister as a child in Rowenshire. I've only seen him a few times. He's faced the Coven several times and lived to tell of it. He was also there when your sorcerer friend visited the village as well." Pain creased her face. "Momma and Daddy would want us to welcome everyone. I fear that's one man I cannot allow under this roof." Her face darkened. "I won't have a mess here as happened there. We had a few close calls in high school. The Rider's been right outside in the driveway. The Coven's been around at points since the 1750s. We learn not to stir things up." She shook her head. "You didn't do anything other than defend yourself this morning. She did the same thing to me. You saw the old barn there? That's where she jumped me. She offered me power, this, that for my soul. As if I cared about those things? She almost got me. I had help. Brother Tony talked to Brother Andrew for the first time that night. They've been friends ever since." She saw Gwen lingering at the edge of the stairs. "This isn't a private discussion, Gwen. Please." She waved the younger woman over.
Gwen nodded. Glibness evaporated from her tongue. Relief and Gratitude picked her spirits up. "Peter, she didn't hurt you, did she?"
"I'm fine." He swept Gwen up in his arms. Forehead touched forehead. "She didn't like my fancy gloves. Kind of gave her a blue-black eye. As Brother Tony said, she'll be back. So will Big Bad Dad too. She was around you too apparently at St. Nichol's."
"Dad and I felt as if we were being watched." Gwen paled. "Mr. Dubois reacted. We were going to have coffee there. Then he did a real 180 and got us out of there. That whatsis on his hand was glowing during the drive back. How can we enjoy ourselves and do our work if those creeps are in the background?" She glanced at him. "Glad we don't have to deal with this back in New York with your enemies, Peter."
"We do. Harry's Dad knows my secret…at least when he's the Green Goblin, Gwendy." He bowed his head. "Mr. Osborn has a split personality. Most of the time, he's fine. There are other times though when he goes into Goblin Mode, he's nasty, strong and has deadly toys. That's why I'd have to be careful about working at OsCorp. I can't trust him."
"OsCorp? I wonder if your friend and his father know Lionel Luthor? Now, that man is definite poison. He's responsible for unleashing that horror and the others on us. Of course, he doesn't believe it even when his own wife died from that ghost's cancer touch." Angie brought Mugs to the table.
"Cancer touch?" Peter held Gwen closer against himself.
Angie nodded. "You've seen her throw dark fire and magic, Peter. Beware of the blue fire. That stuff hits you, cancer sets in. There's no cure. Trust me." Exasperation released a sigh. "I've seen enough of that in my life. Candy Colavitto was Dave's journalism teacher. She was the first I saw. Then, Grandma Dubois at the 1982 Fair was on her last road trip here. She died two months later. Lillian Luthor was next. Then Deirdre's namesake in 1990. Apparently, Grandpa Alvaro died of it too. Just be careful, Kids. Okay? Brother Tony doesn't want any more garbage in the village. Neither do any of us."
"They know each other, Angie." Dubois shut the cellar door. "Hi, Peter. I heard you had a nice talk with Brother Tony. Cybelle told me." Smile creased his face. "Take what he said to heart."
"What?" Gwen turned to Peter. "What did he say to you?"
"That was supposed to be private." Irritation's Eyebrow rose on Peter's face. He took a big gulp from Mug. "He prayed for my guilt over that Salem stuff. I wish it would help."
"It can. Don't undersell that man's prayers." Dubois hefted Bow and Quiver. "Come on, Kids. Road Trip. Want to come with us, Princess?"
Angie shook her head. "I'm good. Captain Stacy's still upstairs. Millie and the others will be bringing Mrs. Parker back any time. I've seen Edinsboro. You have a good time. Okay? Don't go looking for trouble." She strode across the room and kissed him on the cheek.
"We will. Promise." Dubois embraced Angie. "I'll have to bring that pie next week."
"I'll call and let Harvey know you're coming." Angie shot him a wary look.
"Come on, Kids. Time for some more historical research." Dubois opened the door and led the other couple out.
No matters the conditions, work still awaited…