-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
   Peter's just been called in, having finished an interview days before. Midtown High. What are the odds that there's an opening for science teacher? The great big cycle of irony, maybe, seeing as in high school, he couldn't wait to get out. Yeah. He spends a good portion of his day greeting the students and familiarizing himself with the young minds. Funny enough, they ask questions like âIs it true you used to date a supermodel?â Others, however, look at him, like teachers, and seem to quietly question his bruises, his gashes, his marks. They think that, maybe, he's abused. Maybe he gets hit by his girlfriend, or something. But no. They don't ask. They just grimace in silence and greet the man. It's something they'll have to get used to.Â
   A phone call. Aunt May. It's the end of the day anyway. He can web-swing home, sure enough, if it's that important. âPeter, we have to talk. Right now.â He knows something's bothering Aunt May. He's never heard that tone in her voice before. Sounds somewhat distant. He still rushes home, does what she wants.Â
   He's greeted by a knocking at his apartment door. âJust a second,â he calls out, making his way over. âAunt May, hi. Are you... I mean, is everything okay?â
   âI... No, Peter. No, it is not.â
   âThen what -- Aunt May..?â He spots the bloody rag of a costume that's in her hand. Oh, man. Say it's just a Halloween costume, or--Â
   âDon't tell me it's just a Halloween costume, Peter. Just... don't.â
   âNo, wait. Look, I don't know what you think but I can --â
Â
   âNo, Peter. You can't explain. You don't have to. You don't have to lie to me anymore. I know you're Spider-Man... How could you lie to me all these years?â
   âBecause I love you. I didn't want anything or anyone to hurt you. Especially me.â
   âWhat do you think would happen if I found out? I'd just keel over and die?â
   âAunt May...--â
   âWhen your parents died, I raised you. I carried that burden and it never broke me, though there were times I thought it might. When your Uncle Ben died, and most of my world died with him, it would have been easy to give up, to just roll over and die. But you needed me, so I dealt with it, Peter, and kept on going. I have buried friends and loved ones and relatives. I have watched you suffer over your own losses, knowing there was nothing I could do but be there when you needed me. If I could bear all that, Peter, don't you think I'd be able to get through this?â
   âAunt May, I'm sorry. I was just trying to protect you, honest.â
   âYou avoided it all these years, avoided me. You were afraid. The years we've lost, Peter... to a lie, to a secret.â
   â...I know. I'm sorry. But, it's not the only thing I've held back from you, Aunt May.â
   âThere's more?â
   âI'm doing this because... because... because I... Aunt May, I can't.â
  âI-- I'm the reason Uncle Ben's dead.â
  âI was showing off. Using the powers to pick up a few extra bucks. A thief ran past me. People yelled for me stop. I didn't. I let him go. Because I couldn't be bothered. And that same guy killed Uncle Ben. If I'd stopped him, Ben would be alive right now. But I didn't. Uncle Ben is dead. Because of me. That's why I do this, Aunt May. I have to. For Uncle Ben.â
  âYou're not responsible, Peter. God, no. I am. Ben and I had a silly argument. He was a gentle man, not wanting to keep arguing. He left, went for a walk to cool off. That was the last time I saw him... It's my fault, Peter.â
   âAunt May, I'm sorry--â
   âWe've both carried such terrible guilt, Peter Parker. And like me, you carried yours in silence. And that's a terrible way to live life. If we cannot forgive ourselves, perhaps... Perhaps it's time we forgave each other... for our secrets and indiscretions. Because I kept them too. And I forgive you, Peter.â
   âYou know, Peter, for a while I thought you might be gay. You were so awkward around girls, and... Well, I knew something might be in your closet. Who knew it was a Spider-Man costume?â
   Peter Parker bursts into a great laugh. His Aunt is so strong. So fragile yet so... strong.Â
   âWith Great Power comes Great Responsibility, I know. But what power is greater than love? And what responsibility greater than giving you the future he would have wanted for you? That was what was in my heart when I decided to raise you alone. He would want you to follow your dreams. Even if I don't support them, Peter. Even if I don't even agree with them, right now. Even if I worry that they will hurt you... Because -- because you're my nephew, Peter. And no matter what you do, no matter who you are, no matter what you think you are... I will always love you.â
   And just like that... a weight off his shoulders. For all the years he wore the suit, he always felt as he was hiding more than his name, hiding who he was, hiding from the world, from himself, from her. But for the first time, as the mask is pulled over his face, he feels not confined, but instead free. She has given him that freedom. It did cost her. She put on a brave face. It must have cost her terribly. But he'll make it up to her somehow. Because May Parker is right. Because it's not his Great Power. It's their great power. Their great responsibility. It's to one another, too. And he won't lie to her again. He won't let her down.
