Dinner with the...
Once Roberto arrives back to his apartment, he immediately crashes on his bed and decides to take a nap. Miranda came home early from work and mentioned to him that tonight is the dinner with their neighbors. Eyes close shut, Rapid Eye Movement commences, and the psychology behind him is present. All that he could really dream was darkness, the everlasting abyss that never stops. Surprisingly, it wasn’t a dream or a recollection of an old memory or a nightmare. His sleep consisted of silence and blank, dark image. Which is unusual when R.E.M sleep occurs in everyone.
A few hours later, he woke up immediately after being shook multiple times from Miranda. She told him that the dinner is in a half an hour, the one that he completely forgot and promised Miranda. So, he jumps out of the bed quick, picks his outfit for tonight’s festivities, take a quick shower, etc. Thankfully, it was their next door neighbors apartment, but he still wanted to on time for dinner. As they walk towards next door, was he nervous? Of course, but was he comfortable? Of course, why is it? Perhaps, it’s because he’s felt comfortable with Queens and the friends (really just two) throughout these past two weeks.
The lock on the door begins to move and click and the door itself begins to move with its subtle creaking sound. What he saw… was a beautiful middle-aged woman, if anything she looked younger in his eyes. She wore a dress suit in the color pink that made her look like she still lived in the 80’s era. Brown, straightened, long hair that fitted her youthful appearance, huge spectacles (or glasses) that she’s wearing. Roberto is getting 1980’s vibes from her alone and warm, kindred feeling from her. Like a maternal figure would just like Miranda is in general.
“Miranda, how are you?” The woman asks her, while bringing her in for a hug. Seems like the both of them hit it off on the first day they moved.
“I’m doing good, very well.” Miranda responds to her. “Come in, come in.”
“Thank you for inviting us for dinner tonight. By the way, this is Roberto Cruz. My foster child that I’ve been talking about since we started talking.” Miranda thanks her. “Bobby, this is Ms. Parker”
“Well, this is the lucky boy that Miranda’s been raving about.” Ms. Parker turns towards him.
“Greetings Ms. Parker. Thank you for allowing us to have dinner with you and your nephew tonight.You look lovely as well.” Roberto shook her hand and casually greeting himself towards her.
“Wow, well-mannered and has chops. I love it, not a lot of kids have manners nowadays. Sweetie, you can call me May if you want to. Come in and sit.” May comments and directs the both of them to her table.
“I’m cooking some Spaghetti for tonight. Hope you guys like some tomato noodles.” May announces as she serves them on their plates. “That’s Bobby’s favorite food to eat since he was little.”
“How long have you been with him?” May asks her. “Sorry I should’ve phrased it better.”
“You’re fine Ms. Parker. I’ve been with her for two years soon, I think.” Roberto explains.
“Honestly, it’s been the best one yet. Not only being with her been the longest time I’ve ever been in the care of someone, but she understands and always been there for me and gets along very well together and has put up with me the most.”
“Aw, That’s so sweet. Miranda is lucky to have you too as well. She doesn’t stop talking about all the stories you guys experienced together till now.”
“Which ones did she mention exactly?” Roberto asks with a fake grin on his face.
“Like she showed you The Conjuring and at one point in the movie, she said that you peed on your pants hard. She said that you got rejected by a girl, and you came home to her crying because you thought she was the one.”
“Oh yeah…”
“I told you not to tell anyone about that.” Roberto whispers to Miranda, looking and feeling embarrassed.
“Bobby, it’s ok. I promise I won’t tell anyone. If it makes you feel better, I can you tell embarrassing stuff about Peter.” May assures him. “Ok deal.”
“By the way, where is Peter? I thought he would be here tonight.” Miranda asks her wondering.
“He called me an hour earlier and said he wasn’t going to make it.” May answers.
“Why is that?” Roberto asks. “It’s because he’s been busy with school, the decathlon team, and his internship that’s been moving around crazy like a chicken without it’s head.”
“Where does he intern at again?” Miranda asks her. “At Stark Industries, personally with Tony Stark himself.”
“The Tony Stark. Iron Man himself?” Roberto asks in disbelief.
“Yup, he came over to our house once because Peter applied to be a part of their internship and being the smartest boy in the world, he got the gig.”
“I would kill to be in his position, if I was that smart.” Roberto envies about how lucky Peter is and May as well be.
“Well, you are. You do use it to a great advantage. It’s just that it isn’t what you would want as a career ultimately.” Miranda intervenes into the conversation.
“What do you want to do in the future?” May asks Roberto. “I’ve always dreamt of becoming a singer, performer, or however people say it.”
“That’s sounds wonderful, do you make your own originals?” May asks again. “Yes, but mostly on an acoustic guitar. Although, I don’t mind my original music being only acoustic and nothing too… extravagant. I’m a simple guy, I guess.”
“I hope one day that I can hear you sing anything.” May continues. “I bet you will Ms. Parker.”
Roberto glances throughout the room as Miranda and her continue conversating. As he maneuver his eyes around and spots a few antiques and memorabilia from her time in high school and college. Although, a certain framed picture caught this attention for a moment. It appeared to a middle-aged man like around May’s age posing with a young boy right next to him. It took a moment to think who are these two people and why she should have them up on a shelf above.
As he directs his sight back to her face, Roberto begins to talk “Excuse me, may I ask you something Ms. Parker.”
“Anything sweetheart.” May insists. “Are you a widow? Is that man up there your husband?”
“Roberto Martinez Cruz… you know better…” Miranda calls out angrily. “Mom, she insisted on me asking her and I was curious.”
“Miranda please, it’s fine to talk to about this.” May assures Miranda, trying to calm the situation before it ensued. “That was my husband and alongside him was Peter at the age of 8.”
“What happened to him? If you do want to talk about…” Roberto asks once again. Curious as he always has since forever.
“Well… during the time, there were problems going around with each other. Peter was even involved in all these situations. Although, we looked fine whenever we had guest such as Ned, the real shit was occur when the doors were closed. One night, things went out of hand and Ben had to walk out to solve the situation we were in. However, he got shot multiple times by an armed robber… he didn’t make it. Peter and I held each other afterwards, but the look of guilt showed itself in both of our faces because of what was happening.”
“I’m so sorry Ms. Parker.” Roberto walks up to her and gives her a long hug. Both of them embracing each other for a moment like Miranda and him would. “Thank you sweetie.”
“Tell us about Mr. Parker, if you do want to.”
“Phew… where do I even begin?”
An entire hour dedicated to May talking about Ben to Miranda and Roberto. Talking about how much of a great husband, uncle, or even father to Peter throughout the years. The memories they created together, how Ben would always help Peter with science projects and vice versa for the family car. Even the moments when Ben would always embarrass Peter just for fun and after they play ball while eating ice cream. May even mentioned a family friend of theirs who runs a deli shop.
“I hope you guys enjoyed dinner tonight.” May says to both of them as they walk towards the door. “It was a wonderful evening tonight, both of us had a great dinner.”
“Do you guys want to do this again tomorrow night? I’ll make sure Peter’s here tomorrow and doesn’t go patro… I mean the internship.”
“Sounds perfect. Good Night May.” Miranda gives her farewell.
“Goodbye guys.”
The window opens silently, trying to not allow any sound to attract the attention from everyone. As he comes inside to his room, he begins to hurry and change into a different kind of clothes. He realizes on how much he’ll be in trouble if he missed tonight. After he’s finished, the room looks empty and May is bringing dishes to the sink. So, he obviously knew that he missed tonight’s dinner.
“I’m so sorry Aunt May. It’s just I got caught too much in it and there was an armed robbery going on an apartment complex five miles away from here.”
“It’s ok sweetie.” May accepts his apology. “And… wait, what?”
“I said it’s ok.” May reassures him. “So, you’re not mad at me at all?”
“Do you want me to be right now because I can in an instant.” May promises him with a smirk on her face.
“No, No, Nope. You’re good. I’m gonna go to sleep and enjoy a night’s rest.” He assures May back. “Uh huh, sure Pedro. Love you Peter.”