Chapter 17 [Northwest Hospital]
Activity buzzed throughout Healing's temple. Doctors examined and treated patients. Nurses kept careful watch over each and every room. Monitors recorded patients' vital signs. Surgeries put patients back on track. Friends and Family waited with frazzled nerves and hope.
Such was the case at the moment….
[Waiting Area—Outside of the Intensive Care Ward]
Flash Thompson paced back and forth across the area. Stale Coffee left a bad taste in his mouth. Worry kept his eyes riveted to the hallway and door down its far end. She's got to be all right. First that stuff with her Dad. Then, she and Parker start having their problems. After that, they did keep an eye on Harry and me. I guess I should be grateful for that! He shook his head. Where is Parker anyhow? Don't tell me he's off chasing that Green Goblin guy when his girlfriend's fighting for her life! He clenched his fists.
"Whoa! Settle down there, Hoss!" Mary Jane placed her hand on his forearm. "Just keep the faith. Ms. Gwendolyn knows we're all pulling for her." She shook her head. "Peter was really sick this afternoon. That old Canadian flu really waylaid him at Mr. Osborn's."
"That young man! Honestly!" Anna Watson blotted her forehead with a handkerchief. "His Aunt May would lecture him up and down about getting sick for those assignments. If she knew about all of this, she'd be beside herself! Flash, you're right. Peter should be here or let us know what's going on."
"Well, there is a hole in his wall, Aunt Anna. The apartment's trashed. Knowing Peter, he'll be here. They won't let him in here like that. Let him get right as rain again. He'll stick to his gal like peanut butter on jelly!" Mary Jane frowned. Petey, where are you? Bad enough, Harry and his Dad are in the mental ward and Miss Gwen's in that old den! Now you're ready for that milk carton too? She strained to keep her outer 'happy mask' in place.
"I hope so, Mary Jane. If he's not here in a couple of hours, I'll have to call May." Anna wrung her hands at that possibility. Given Circumstances at May's departure for Doc Ock's house, she could well imagine May's ire at Peter and Gwen over these matters. That's why you're trying not to call her. May can't handle that Peter's of age to decide these matters for himself! It's not all Gwendolyn's fault. She seems like a smart girl with her head on her shoulders. Peter should just propose and get himself straight! That boy can't just freelance all his life! Good grief!
"I know I'd be here if I was Parker. He doesn't know what a great gal he has!" Impatience flared inside of Flash. "I had to keep them together before!"
"Flash, trust me. Peter knows. All right?" Mary Jane kept a neutral expression. Unrequited Love burned at her own heart over that affirmation. Wish he'd notice me instead of Miss Gwen! Well after today, that'll never be a possibility! "He might be sick somewhere and we don't even know it."
ICU's doors swung open. A slender blonde man limped down the hall. Gnarled Brown Walking Stick supported his lame leg. He adjusted his tie with his free hand. His face kept a grim countenance. His mind processed Gwen's diagnosis. That young lady was numbed by whatever the Green Goblin used on her. The x-rays show a damaged spinal cord. She has no next of kin. These people are just friends. Miss Stacy is so traumatized. Is there someone who can make a decision? He efforted his way up to the waiting area. "Good evening, Everyone. I'm Dr. Blake. I appreciate you all being here. Is there someone specifically I can talk to about Miss Stacy?"
"Sorry, Doc. Gwen's Dad died a year ago. Her boyfriend, Peter Parker, is MIA. We're just good friends that care." Flash exchanged looks with Mary Jane.
"Doctor, is there something we can answer? Perhaps you can give us some general information?" Anna stood. "I know you cannot get into specifics. Peter would be the closest thing to that. Surely, Gwendolyn would let us know?"
"Ma 'am, I'm sorry. I can't tell you. I will say Miss Stacy's resting right now. We can't give her a sedative because she already has something in her system. If anyone can find Mr. Parker, I'd appreciate it. And…" Blake saw a slender blonde nurse rushing toward him. "Nurse? What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry. You're Dr. Blake, right?" The nurse took a breath to compose herself. "I'm sorry. I have a message from your office. Nurse Foster said to get this message to you as soon as possible." She handed him a pink slip. "Thanks." She looked the group over. "Flash? Flash Thompson?"
"Liz? Wow! You work here now?" Flash saw Anna and Mary Jane give him weird looks. "Liz went to Midtown with Parker and me. She's okay."
"Thanks, Flash. I'm sorry I can't talk. I've got to get back in there with Miss Stacy. Maybe we can catch up some other time? Sorry! Doctor?" Liz bit her lip. She wanted to know more about everything including Peter. Still, Gwen needed all hands on deck.
Blake examined the note. He nodded to himself. "I'm sorry. I have to call my office. We'll let you know. Nurse, please let the other doctors know that something came up. Miss Stacy is stabilized for the next few hours. I'll be back as soon as I can." He turned and efforted himself out the front door with the cane's aid. He turned the corner and hustled toward an oversized air conditioning vent. Cane struck Sidewalk with surprising force. Energies glowed all around himself. Muscles sprouted from his skinny frame. Hair lengthened down his neck to the top of his back. Formal Doctor's Wear transmuted into warrior's armor. A dark red cape, yellow boots and a distinctive wing-sided helmet adorned the black top and blue pants. Mjolnir sat in hand in the cane's place.
Thor read the note. A smile cracked his face in spite of Situation's dire straits. "Jane does her task well. Still, what does Reed Richards know?" He grasped his hammer's thong and twirled it over his head. Momentum built with the circular motion. Then he let it go skyward allowing it to tug him in its wake.
Resolution was needed….
Flash scratched his head. "Did he just leave? Gwen needs him in there! Is he serious? Who's the head of staff around here?" He wheeled around on Liz. "What kind of doctor runs out on a patient?"
"It's all right, Flash." Liz put her hands up to calm her former classmate down. "The nurse at his office found out where Peter is. I don't know. Sorry but I need to get back in there. Dr. Gathers knows about this. I'll keep an eye on Miss Stacy!" She rushed down the hall and toward the ICU's doors.
"Well, at least, someone knows where he is." Anna shook her head. "He's probably in quarantine somewhere. I wish that Dr. Blake could've spoken to him here." She shook her head.
"At least we know where Pete is. He'll talk with our doc." Mary Jane sighed. "I need some of that good java!"
"Coffee machine's over there, MJ. I don't know how good it is." Flash glanced at his cup again. The seemingly-degenerating situation down the hall didn't make him feel better. Parker, you'd better be where that doc can find you! Gwen deserves better than this!
How little Spider-Man's #1 Fan really knew….
