Brother: Love and Adversity - Part Eighteen
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Teaser: “Hi, Tiger,” Mary Jane said with her warm smile as she finally let go of him.
“Hi yourself,” Peter smiled. He looked a bit tired, but other than that, he seemed okay.
Part Eighteen
Many Meetings
- O - O - O - O - O - O -
“Isn’t he the cutest baby you’ve ever seen?”
Mary Jane looked from Alan’s sweet newborn face to her friend. “He is at that, Louise.” Smiling, M.J. thought to herself, If I didn’t know better, I would think Louise was the proud mommy and not her older sister.
Dianna Michaels, Louise’s sister, smiled in agreement. Both sisters looked alike, but whereas Louise was tall, Dianna was petite.
“Louise tells me that you have a modeling shoot this week - what company are you doing it for?” Dianna asked with interest.
“I’m sure you saw my picture everywhere on the billboards the past month or two,” M.J. stated rather than asked.
Dianna nodded. “The one for Emma Rose Perfume?”
“Yes, that one, they’re doing a fall run and a preview of a winter/Christmas run and wanted me to do that with some other models.”
“I’m sure you’re excited about that,” the older woman said as she smiled.
Alan started to fuss in Mary Jane’s arms. Rocking him gently, M.J. tried to the calm the baby. But he wouldn’t have any of it. Alan’s small cry turned into a wail.
“Here, I’ll take him, he’s probably hungry.” Dianna took the howling infant from M.J. A moment later she was gone with her crying son.
“Louise,” M.J. queried, “you said something about a part in a play earlier, what about it?”
“Oh that,” Louise said and shook her head slightly. “It’s just a small part with just a few lines. The play will only run for two weeks. I guess it’s better than nothing.”
“That’s true. But hopefully that show will be great.”
“Let’s hope so, but I don’t think it will be as good as Earnest was.”
Mary Jane nodded. “I have that shoot tomorrow, and some other ones with Emma Rose, but after that, who knows?”
“Who does, indeed? Hey, do you want to get something to eat with Dianna and me?”
“I can’t,” M.J. looked at her watch. She hadn’t realized that the time had flown by so quickly. “I’m meeting Peter and our friend Harry soon. We’re going to see Peter’s aunt.”
“Aw, too bad. It would have been fun. How is she doing?”
“She can get up and move around a little at a time. I try to stop by on a daily basis, whenever I can. But I have to say, if wasn’t for my aunt Anna helping out, I don’t know what Aunt May would do.”
Mary Jane knew that Peter hadn’t gotten much of a chance to see his aunt this past week, and she knew that it bothered him alot. But he too was thankful that Anna was there for her.
“What about your friend, Harry? How is he?”
“As well as can be expected under the circumstances.” Mary Jane left her answer somewhat ambiguous. Louise had only met Harry twice. Once when he saw her play the first time, and once at her near wedding to John.
“Good. You know M.J., he’d be a hot prospect if his company weren’t doing so badly…”
“Louise!” Mary Jane laughed lightly at her friend. Louise was one of a kind, but she was still a major flirt when it came to guys that were well-off.
“I was just kidding!” Louise didn’t mind M.J.’s laughter.
“Keep it down,” Dianna said quietly, but not unkindly, as she came back into the room. “Alan is asleep.”
Mary Jane glanced quickly at the wall clock. “I really should be going," she said. “It was nice seeing you again, Dianna. Alan is just so precious.”
“Thanks, Mary Jane. Please feel free to stop by anytime.”
“I will.”
Louise gave Mary Jane a quick hug. “You’d better tell me about that modeling job, you hear?”
Picking up her purse, M.J. laughed quietly at that. “You got it. I’ll talk to you later, Louise.”
- O - O -
Mary Jane waited for Peter to come down to the main floor of the mansion. She hadn’t seen him in about a week.
No words were exchanged. They merely embraced and gave each other that long, overdue kiss.
“Hi, Tiger,” Mary Jane said with her warm smile as she finally let go of him.
“Hi yourself,” Peter smiled. He looked a bit tired, but other than that, he seemed okay.
“How’s everything going with Harry?” M.J. asked. She had kept in touch with Peter throughout the week, but Peter hadn’t gone into great detail about what was happening with Harry. Or rather, what Harry was remembering.
Peter let out a breath. “I’m not sure how much sleep either of us got last night. I had a bit of a rough night, but I’m not sure how much Harry slept. He had another nightmare.”
“Did he tell you about it?”
“No, I don’t think he remembered it. But that’s not the only thing that happened. I told him the truth, or at least a good bit of it.”
Mary Jane didn’t know what to say, other than to ask, “How did Harry react?”
“He took it pretty well. But then again, his nightmare occurred after I told him.”
“So you think it may have triggered a memory?”
“I really don’t know the answer to that, M.J. To tell you the truth, I have no idea what Harry will think, or do for that matter, if he does get his memory back.”
Hopefully, things will be better than what happened when Harry’s father died, Mary Jane thought hopefully.
Changing the subject, M.J. said, “I have a modeling shoot tomorrow, but I should be free around three o’clock.”
“That would give us the evening free… provided nothing happens,” Peter said, “I have a class in the morning, and one at 4. Doc Connors teaches both.”
- O - O - O - O - O - O -
Coming within earshot, Harry caught the tail end of their conversation. He saw Mary Jane look up, noticing him as he walked down the mansion’s ornate stairway.
“Harry, hi,” Mary Jane said, seeing him. She smiled at him. “How are you doing?”
“Fine,” he said, knowing that he was being less than truthful. Rather, it was more that he was tired from not getting much sleep the night before. It wasn’t so much about the voice he’d thought he heard.
But Harry didn’t know what to make of what Peter had told him last night. He supposed he could understand why Peter didn’t want to tell him about his father. Who would want to know their father was a lunatic? But was that all there was to it?
“If you’re ready, we’ll go to Aunt May’s,” Peter said.
Harry only nodded. “You may have to refresh my memory on your aunt, Pete. I don’t remember much about her.”
“I’ll tell you in the car. The cook put the dinner in the trunk, right?”
“Yeah. Are you sure your aunt’s up for company?”
“She told me she didn’t mind a short visit. I think she’s feeling blue for not being able to get around like she did a week and half ago,” Peter explained as they headed toward the elevators.
As the car wound its way through the city, Harry struggled to remember the scenery that was passing by its tinted windows. He was familiar enough with his own immediate neighborhood, spread across the most valuable real estate in New York City. But the place that Peter’s aunt lived was far from affluent.
Peter had told Harry a few things about his aunt. Although Harry remembered what May Parker looked like because of the pictures that Peter had shown him. But he remembered very little about the woman herself. But he could tell Peter loved his aunt dearly; she was the closest thing to a mother he had ever known.
Slowly a memory of some kind returned to Harry, even though he couldn’t understand the events surrounding it.
- O - O -
Harry turned from the window as Peter entered their apartment. He hadn’t seen his roommate since the day before. When Harry had come home the night before, Peter hadn’t been there. There had just been a note saying that he was at Queens General Hospital.
Peter looked like he hadn’t slept much, if at all. Had Harry known about Aunt May, he would have gone with his friend, but he had been over to see his father. He hadn’t been home and Harry had waited for over an hour. But after that, he gave up and came home, only to find out that Peter’s aunt was in the hospital.
“How is she, Peter?”
“She slept through the night and she still was sleeping when I left.” Peter replied as he took off his coat. “I’m going to take a shower, then go back to the hospital.” He started up the stairs.
“Hey, Pete, you haven’t heard from M.J., have you?”
Peter stopped at the steps and simply shook his head. “No, I haven’t. I don’t even know if she knows about Aunt May.”
”I’m sure her parents told her about it, they live next door to your aunt. What happened to her anyway?”
Coming back down, Peter said, “I didn’t get to talk to her much. She said something about ‘horrible yellow eyes’ last night when the doctors where trying to sedate her. Because of what happened to the house, the police think it was the Green Goblin.”
“Why in the world would he attack a helpless lady?”
Peter looked down at his feet and shook his head. Ignoring Harry’s question, he said, “The Watsons only said that they heard what sounded like a bomb going off and screams. M.J.’s mother went over to check and found Aunt May unconscious.”
“Guess Spider-Man wasn’t around this time, was he?”
Peter shot him a look, his eyes filled with anger. Ready to come to the wall crawler’s defense, Peter said, “I-- He would have been there if he could have, believe me.”
Harry wasn’t sure why Peter thought Spider-Man was a hero. The masked vigilante did seem to help others from time to time, but he probably only wanted nothing but attention from the people of New York. Regardless, Harry knew what he had just said was uncalled for.
“I’m sorry, Pete, I shouldn’t have said that. Does your aunt need anything?”
“No, I’ll take care of it.” Peter took in a deep breath, then exhaled. “But thanks, Harry.”
“Why don’t you crash for while here before going back?”
Peter shook his head. “I need to bring Aunt May some of her things.”
“Ok, whatever you want to do.” Harry replied. He watched Peter go up the stairs to take a shower.
Retrieving his cell phone from the table, Harry tried to get reach M.J. He just got her machine and asked her to call him back. He’d apologized over the blasted thing once, but Harry would rather talk to Mary Jane in person.
Ever since yesterday’s horrible Thanksgiving dinner, Harry felt at odds with everyone. He was still upset over the terrible things his father had said about M.J. Mary Jane wasn’t happy with him because he didn’t stick up for her. But he tried to come to her defense! She didn’t know his father the way he did.
Looking out the window, Harry sighed. What am I going to do about everything? But nothing he thought of could answer his question.
He felt like no matter what he did, he couldn’t please his father. Harry had hoped to impress his dad with a nice girl like Mary Jane. But even that didn’t meet with his dad’s approval.
Harry said nothing as Peter came down the stairs, and grabbed an English muffin and headed out the door. “Bye, Harry,” Peter said over his shoulder as he got his backpack and coat on the way out.
Even Peter was acting weirder than usual. Heck, he had been acting strangely ever since they had moved into this apartment. But with Peter’s aunt in the hospital, Harry could understand Peter’s behavior.
Harry knew that Peter must be hiding something, he just didn’t know what. But he respected his friend’s space, happily giving Peter whatever latitude he needed. And if Peter ever needed to vent, to get something off his chest, he would be there to listen.
Harry tried Mary Jane’s number again. Once more he got her machine. She would have to talk to him sooner or later.
Getting up, Harry paced the living room. He wasn’t happy that his girlfriend was ignoring him. He would have to do something to keep his mind busy.
He headed for the door. Grabbing his coat, Harry shut and locked the door. He had to get flowers for Aunt May. She was one person that always seemed to remain the same.
- O - O -
“Harry?”
So deep in thought, Harry didn’t hear his friend’s voice. It wasn’t until Peter called him again that he finally snapped out of it. “Huh?”
“We’re here, at my aunt’s place.” Peter waved a hand out the window.
“Are you alright?” Mary Jane asked. “You looked like you were a million miles away.”
Harry tried to reassure Mary Jane with a smile. “I’m ok.”
“Good. I can’t wait to see how Aunt May is.” Peter got out of the car, he got the covered tray of food from the chauffeur. He had made a few trips out to see her this past week, but not many.
Peter let himself and his friends in with the spare key his aunt had given him. “Where are you, Aunt May? We’ve got dinner.”
“In the kitchen, dear.”
Harry didn’t have much time to see the small living room, but from the brief glance he gave it, it looked very homey. As he followed Peter and Mary Jane, his eyes darted to and fro. The pictures on the walls and rugs on the floor had a welcoming feel to them.
Nothing he remembered from the kitchen was any different than what he had seen before, including the frail elderly woman sitting at the table eagerly awaiting their arrival. Harry was able to recall her to some degree.
Harry quietly watched Peter and MJ bend over and give Aunt May a hug. Should he just say, Hello?
“Harry,” May said with a smile. Harry could not tell whether it was recognition she saw in his eyes. Getting slowly to her feet, she winced slightly as she gradually made her way over to him.
Peter’s aunt surprised Harry with a warm hug. Letting go, she said, “It is good to see you again. How are you feeling?”
Even though he wasn’t sure why, Harry felt choked up a bit. “I’m doing very well. And you?”
“As good as this old body can feel.”
“Good, and not in too much pain?” He helped her back into her chair.
“Not too bad. What did you bring for dinner?” Clearly May wanted to change the subject.
“Pot roast with vegetables and rolls. Oh, and blueberry pie for dessert,” Peter said as he uncovered the tray.
“It all looks wonderful.”
Getting the plates and silverware, Mary Jane made quick work of setting the table. She grabbed some glasses and napkins to finish the job. She got a pitcher of iced tea out of the refrigerator. Once they all had glasses of ice tea, they sat down to eat the superb meal. Conversation was light, but companionable.
- O - O - O - O - O - O -
Mary Jane watched the rain hit her apartment window later that evening. She sure wouldn’t wish want anyone to be out on a night like this. Especially Peter. There had been rumblings in the distance, a sure sign of lightning, although she had not seen any yet. But M.J. knew it was coming.
As she looked out into the city, Mary Jane’s thoughts recalled another rainy night. There hadn’t been a thunderstorm, but it rained a good bit. But funny enough, M.J. didn’t remember how much it had rained, or how soaked she had been that night.
She had remembered that night so often that she had once thought it had been nothing but a dream. Now Mary Jane knew it wasn’t a dream. The reality of the fact that the man she loved with all her heart was also Spider-Man did not overwhelm her as much now as it had during these past few weeks.
Mary Jane’s gaze turned toward the thunder rolling in the distance. Seconds later, flashes of lightning brightened the sky. Startled, she felt her heart beating slightly faster.
Mary Jane almost jumped out of her skin when her doorbell rang. Taking a deep breath, she slowly let it out. Who would be here at this godforsaken hour?
“Who is it?” M.J. called out, heading for the door, knowing better than to simply open it. She waited to hear who it was. For all she knew, it might have been Peter.
“It’s Cait McKinnon,” came a familiar, but muffled voice. She added, “From Elroy.”
Cait? What is she doing in Manhattan? Mary Jane quickly unlocked the door. Sure enough, the petite brunette was standing there, soaked to the bone, a suitcase in her hand.
Notes: I had wanted to say that I took for granted that I didn’t explain very well how Aunt May knows that Peter is Spider-Man or how they each (May, Peter, Mary Jane, and Harry) know that every one else knows. I guess I’d think that was something maybe Peter would have let MJ know that his aunt knew. Jenn