Spider-Man | Doesn't Need Help

CHAPTER 29

"Oh! Hey, Pete, are you still awake?" I lifted my head slightly to see my aunt, who had just gotten home from work.

It was well after one in the morning, and I... Well, I was afraid to go to sleep.

I didn't answer, and not because I didn't want to, I was just so dazed that I didn't even realize I hadn't said anything.

I didn't even say hello.

Plus, so much has been going on lately... And today was that day...

“Peter?” May entered the room again, this time without her things, and the sound of boiling water came from the kitchen. “Are you okay?”

She sat down next to me, never taking her eyes off me, and I? I stared at her as mesmerized as ever.

I felt so terrible...

Even though a lot has been going on with me lately, everything was as good as ever.

For the first time, I felt good, and especially with Devon, I felt incredibly at ease. As it turns out, he has kids and a wife, he's got his life together, and he's happy, even after everything he's been through. And it seems like he's had it even harder than me.

I was absorbing every word he said, not realizing what was really happening...

“Hey, Pete?” I blinked a few times, seeing the woman again.

She looked at me with worried eyes, and though I never admitted it out loud, for the first time I was glad to see what she was really like.

Because even though I had only known her for two months, I knew what her answer to my question would be.

“M-can I hug you?” I asked hesitantly, still afraid that he would laugh at me and leave.

May smiled warmly, then wordlessly leaned forward and hugged me. I snuggled into her, letting the tears flow down my cheeks.

I let someone see them and I didn't feel good about it at all.

“You don’t even have to ask about things like that, Pete,” she whispered, rubbing her hand down my back.

I loved the warmth that spread through my body when May Parker actually hugged me.

And even though I would deny it for the rest of my life, I was starting to like it.

“Will you tell me what's going on?” she asked warmly.

“Today is the anniversary of their deaths,” I said immediately, and when I finished, another wave of tears rolled down my cheeks.

Exactly today, nine years ago, I lost everything.

There was silence.

Silence, interrupted every now and then by my sobs and sniffles.

At that moment I was like a defenseless, crying child, clinging to its aunt.

“I know…” She whispered.

Her voice wasn't the same as it had been moments before. Now I wasn't the only one crying.

Every year for nine years, I've experienced this anniversary alone. Whether it was in an orphanage, with foster families, or with Mr. Adams, I was always alone. And today I had someone who was experiencing the same thing, but in a similar way.

"Maybe we should go visit their graves?" she asked, and I immediately agreed. "We'll go first thing in the morning..."

"Let's go now," I interrupted her. "Please." With the last word, I snuggled a little closer to her, and finally, slowly and reluctantly, I pulled away.