Chapter 41
Peach's Plan and Decision
"There," said Pauline, pleased with herself. "No one would ever suspect that you're out of place here!"
Peach blushed heavily – her whole face bright scarlet, as she studied herself in the mirror. She wore a simple sleeveless pink shirt – called a tank top Pauline explained, and light-blue jean shorts. White sneakers replaced her red high heels, with matching socks that barely passed her ankles. Pauline rarely wore the outfit so she willingly gave it to Peach, and the sneakers had the best fit.
"I'll put your dress in a bag," the brunette offered.
"No, no," Peach insisted. "You keep it. Think of it as a gift for helping me. Besides, I don't want to carry it around."
"Do you have any idea to get back?"
"No really," Peach lied, "but I have to find a way to return home. My Kingdom needs me."
There was a grain of truth in her white lie. She had a small plan forming, but she wasn't sure if she was right, and she was worried Pauline might figure out that Mario warped to her Kingdom. Peach couldn't bring Pauline, and her son, with her – her world was in trouble and she didn't want Pauline in danger and Mario was under a spell.
Don't kid yourself, a voice told her. Even if the Kingdom was safe and Mario was returned to normal, you wouldn't bring her. You're jealous and you're scared they'll end up together again if they were reunited.
A strident ring broke her thoughts, and she whirled around, bewildered and confused by the shrill sound. It repeated twice, then was cut short when Pauline picked up a cordless telephone receiver beside her king bed and held it to her ears. Peach relaxed – the Real World was safe from villains like Lord Forgeron.
"Hello?"
Pauline's face frowned, her lips puckered in disapproval, clearly upset. She held up her pointer finger indicating she was occupied and departed from the bedroom. However, Pauline left the door wide open and her voice carried from the kitchen and she wasn't happy.
"I can't work right now! My child is very sick and I'm not leaving him. There's dozens of waiters and waitresses having a day off, go ask them!"
While Pauline argued, Peach's eyes wandered, gazing around the bedroom. The wall was painted beige, and the bedding was crimson with intricate gold tone patterns in the jacquard comforter. Underneath was a gold tone percale. The bed was neat, complete with matching pillows, curtains and a table cover on a nightstand.
The bed frame and dresser were made of mahogany, and Peach stood in front of the mirrored closet next to the door.
The bedroom was cleaner than the rest of the apartment, save for clothes and jewelry boxes covering the dresser. Peach made her way to the nightstand, noticing yet another picture of the separated couple. Pinned beneath the frame was a slightly wrinkled note scribbled in black ink. Curiously ate away at Peach until she sat down on the bed and picked it up. The illegible writing was plagued with spelling mistakes and grammar errors. Peach chuckled. She recognized Mario's chicken scratch anywhere, and luckily she knew how to decipher the poor handwriting.
Pauline, it started.
I know these past few years have been tough and tense. I apologize for our frequent fights. I didn't mean to make you cry. My full time job is stressful, and the bills keep piling. My candles have long burnt out but I'm not giving up. I didn't drop college for nothing. I'm doing my best to support you, and help you with your acting career. Keep you chin up and focus on your dream, we'll pull through.
Love, Mario
P.S. We're out of laundry detergent. I'll pick some up after work.
Peach returned the note to its proper place just as she heard Pauline walk down the hallway. Peach stood up before Pauline entered the room. Phone clutched in hand, she sighed and looked pleadingly at Peach.
"I hate to ask this," she said desperately, "but I have to work. Can you take care of Mario while I'm gone? I'm so sorry, I know you want to return to your Mushroom Kingdom but I refuse to leave him home alone. C-can you do that for me?"
Peach nodded. "Of course. You helped me and I want to return the favour."
"You're a peach, Peach," Pauline said thankfully, grabbing a plastic nametag from the dresser.
"I'm not sure when my shirt is over, but I hope it's not long. Just check on Mario once in a while. He shouldn't be a problem."
Pauline focused on the mirror as she applied red lipstick, grabbed her purse, then left. Moments later Peach heard a door shut.
She wasted no time.
Peach exited the bedroom and turned the knock of the door that led downstairs. She hesitated and checked Mario who was sound asleep. The young boy looked angelic with his messy brown hair handing in his eyes, and Peach smiled. He was the son of a hero.
The stairs led to the Super Mario Bros. plumbing shop. She learned that after Peach did a quick tour of her apartment.
The plumber was simple – a desk with a hutch was established in the corner of the small room, with a wooden chair behind it. A large map of Brooklyn covered a portion of the wall. Various shelves filled with tool belts, and chairs placed near the main window, completed the workshop. Peach felt like she stepped back in time.
It was left the way it was the day Mario and Luigi disappeared from Brooklyn… That's good.
Peach searched the desk, careful not to disturb the papers and items.
There, beside the phone, was a tiny square yellow note. She groaned – more Mario writing. She picked it up and read it carefully. It gave a location to the Mario Brothers' next plumbing job and she hoped it was the place where they accidentally warped to her Kingdom.
Comparing the names on the note to the map, she estimated the stated location was a mile north and reread the note.
Problem, it said. Leaky pipes, rumors of strange creatures – probably alligators, seen crawling out of oversized pipes in the sewers. Sent to investigate.
Peach found a Post-It™ note and a pen, and copied Mario's scribbles, and added more directions from the map. She pocketed the paper in her jean shorts and returned upstairs, silently cheering her accomplishment.
She decided to depart once Pauline arrived. In the meantime she cleaned the organized the kitchen and living room, submerging dirty dishes in hot soapy water. Humming a popular tune from her world, Peach scrubbed the dishes spotless – anything to keep her mind off Pauline, Mario, and his letter.
Pauline still hasn't moved on, she thought sorrowfully, does the same apply to Mario, too?
Abandoning the plate, she snatched a dry cloth and wiped her tears, sobbing quietly. Her heart ached terribly and she was torn. Should she pretend this never happened? Should she tell Pauline about Mario? If she did, Pauline would surely want to come and see her former fiancé. Peach could imagine it now - Mario picking up his laughing child as Pauline leaned over and kissed his cheek tenderly.
Jealously contaminated her mind once again, followed by guilt.
Out of all the people in Brooklyn, I had to meet Mario's old flame, she thought bitterly, and then was appalled at herself. How did I get so envious and selfish? Pauline has the right to know, but there's currently chaos in my world and she might be put in danger. Also, I don't know of any warp pipes that lead to the Real World.
A slam indicated Pauline got off work, and Peach looked back, dropping her damp rag.
I've decided… I won't tell her, but once this adventure is over I'll organize a search to find a way to the Real World… and when that happens, Mario can choose who he wants to be with. But I can't promise I'll back away in the meantime. I-I love him too much…
