Broken Web

Guilt on evey end

Tony Stark

I watched the Michael man silently, he held his head in his hand and his foot bounced widely, as he rubbed his face his head came up, there were heavy bags underneath his eyes that seemed to have sunken, there seemed to be permanent traces of a bloodshot rim around them as well. Spouts of acne were splattered around his face, he had slightly unkempt fuzz growing in along his jawline, which wasn't helping the acne at all, a few grey hairs had sprouted along in his hair which left it looking dull. In all this man looked like he had aged by a few years in a matter of a month and a bit.

His leg bounced in a continuous nervous rhythm that looked like it wouldn't stop. His eyes flickered between Peter, who was resting again, and the clock.

There was an awkward silence that loomed over, the type of silence you get when you're forced to sit next to someone who doesn't like you in a class that you can't stand.

I had words..... Questions even at the tip of my tongue seemed to tingle and dance like popping candy.

"What." I cleared my throat. "What was he like?" I asked as I played with the tips of my fingernails.

There was a short silence before it was broken.

"Smart... Impressively smart in fact, he was always asking for books on the most... Complex stuff. He was always helping other patients with their home and school work." He said looking at Peter.

"School work?" I asked. "How do they get to school.?"

"There's an onsite school, college as well. Although there is a program where they send kids into a public school in hopes that a familiar environment would help with their treatment." He answered.

I felt myself nod to myself. "Does it work?"

Michael sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Rarely " he answered, "it really only works for those who like structure and are... Troubled by uncontrolled changes. Other than that it has an adverse effect."

"Why did you think it would work for Peter? " I asked. Peter wasn't one for structure and perfection.

"I didn't, the board did, people who suffer from Anorexia Nervosa often look for something to control in a time where they feel out of control, food is often one of the only things you can really control, when you eat, what you eat etc. So the logic of putting Peter was that a familiar environment would help him feel more in control." He explained.  There was a short silence before "I hope you realise I've just broken a major part of the confidentiality act." He crossed his arms as well as his feet.

I nodded. "Do you want a coffee?" I asked as I stood up.

Peter Parker

I didn't move straight away when I awoke for the second time. Instead, I listened to the quiet breathing of another person as well as the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor. I listened to the wave of footsteps that patted in the hallway.

I listened to the heavy door to my room open and two pairs of footsteps enter. A heavy firm thud of a work shoe and the tired messy click of a pair of shoes.

I move my head to look at the door. The man with the glasses and a lady...

AUNT MAY!

I hadn't seen her since... Uhh, A week? Before a collapsed. I readily pushed myself up to greet her as she looked over to the bed.

May quickly dumped her bag on the floor and nearly ran across the room. I opened my arms and we crushed each other into a hug.

Neither of us wanted to let go.

I felt her shake in my arms as she tried to hold back her tears. I struggled to hold back mine.

She pulled away very slightly to press hundreds of kisses onto my hair.

I went to say something but a sob quickly broke through, then the tears. I was a now a sobbing mess in my aunt's arms, how would I tell her I saw them?

She pulled me tighter into a hug and rocked me back and forth still pressing little kisses into my face.

"I-im sorry." I sniffed out.
"No no no no Peter. I'm sorry" she whispered in my ear. "I wasn't there when you needed me. I wasn't there when you really needed me, darling. I'm so, so, so sorry." She emphasised each 'so' with a kiss. I felt dampness on my neck and she buried her head into it.

We sat in each other's arms, crying, holding on to each other like they'd disappear if either of us let go.

I heard the door open and two pairs of footsteps leaving.

Michael Johnson

Mr Stark and I walked into the hallway to give the two some privacy.

We stood in silence for a while watching people walk at various paces down the hallway. It seemed busier today. We both held our coffees drinking in silence.

"Mom look!" My head turned towards the voice and I feel myself freeze. A wave of grief hits me. His dark brown hair with light curls look exactly how Raye looked when he was...

"Slow down Emmet!" That voice. I looked up and felt even more guild crash over me.

Ginger hair tumbled over strong shoulders. Bright green eyes locked on to mine. She stopped as she got close to me.

"Michael" she acknowledged

"Mary-Ann" I nodded. She still looked as beautiful as the day I married her. I tried to swallow the lump that was slowly forming in my throat.

"Mommy come!" The little boy came back over and grabbed his mother's hand.

"One second Em." She said before turning back to me. "What are you doing here?" She said with a small hit of wetness in her voice.

"I could ask you the same thing," I say lightly, willing my voice not to break.

She offers a small smile. "This little guy got his tonsils removed." She smiled down at the boy.

The boy smiled widely "See!" He opened his mouth to show me.

"Wow! Where you a brave boy." I ask, kneeling to his height.

"Uhuh!" He grinned "I got a sticker!" He exclaimed.

"Oh wow, only brave boys get a super cool sticker. Can I have a high five from a super brave boy?" I ask as I hold up my hand.

He smiles widely and hits my hand with his hand.

Mary-Ann laughs lightly. "You are still good with kids then." I let out a small giggle.

A moment of silence passed before she asked "so why are you here?" My eyes flick open to the hospital room door and her eyes follow. There's a small window in the door where you can see Peter on the bed.

Her eyes go distant for a second and they get slightly cloudy with tears.

"Mommy? Who is he?" Emmet loudly whispers while 'secretly' pointing at me. My Ex-wife smiles sadly and picks him up.

"You know how I told you that you have a big brother that's up in heaven?" Her child nods. "Remember how I said his daddy isn't your daddy?" Emmet nods again. "This is Michael, Raye's daddy" we both struggle to take a stable breath and the name of our deceased child.

"Oh. Well nice to meet you, Mr Michael!" I smiled and say nice to meet you back.

"Come on daddy is waiting in the car... Nice to see you again Michale. " she smiled.

"Yeah." I clear me through to cover up a break in my voice. "You too," I say and she walks away.

I bite my lip to hold my shaking body back as tears prick my eyes.

My effort was futile as I broke down into my hands. I felt a hand on my shoulder and Mr Starks soft voice in my ear.

"Come on, let's find you a quiet place."