Chapter 182: Returning "Home" in Glory
May's unexpected worry left this battle-hardened man somewhat at a loss.
Before May, Batman's countless Dark Knight contingencies found no application. Even his explanations grew stiff and clumsy:
"May, Parker Industries' net profit this past week was thirteen million dollars."
May froze. She raised her hand, pulling down the headscarf she'd just arranged, looking at Batman without speaking.
When she remained silent, Batman tried harder proving himself:
"This car is a legal asset, not illegally obtained. The purchase was completely lawful, with complete financial records and tax documentation..."
Batman's explanation stumbled awkwardly, lacking the strategic command he possessed battling any enemy.
Actually, even Batman didn't understand why he'd specifically purchased a luxury vehicle to visit May.
Hearing Batman's explanation, May paused briefly. Then the worry on her face slowly melted, replaced by tenderness mixing heartache and helplessness.
May had long ago recognized Batman couldn't lie well—at least not to her. She believed everything Batman said.
She sighed, stepping forward to pat Batman's arm gently. Then she cupped his face with both hands, gazing at him with eyes seemingly able to see through to his soul. Her voice's worry faded, replaced by warmth and pride:
"Oh, Peter... must you tell me about legal assets and net profits?"
"If you'd simply said 'May, I'm making money now. I want to drive a nice car and give you comfortable rides'—wouldn't I understand that?"
Batman's lips moved. He was about to explain Parker Industries—from obtaining the first capital with the half-finished antibody serum to how he'd filed patents.
But May didn't need those excessive explanations. She believed him.
"Next time, don't frighten this old aunt who doesn't understand business with numbers." May's voice carried gentle reproach and infinite affection. "If you want me proud of you, just tell me directly."
After speaking, May rose on tiptoe, kissed Batman's forehead, then with a posture accepting his clumsy kindness, carefully and somewhat excitedly settled into the R8's passenger seat.
Batman exhaled with relief. Suppressing his emotions, he also entered the car, starting it carefully. He drove May slowly away from Forest Hills, circling New York's bustling streets again and again.
Though the streets remained those same streets, the buildings those same buildings, May felt completely fresh fascination. Like an innocent girl, she constantly asked Batman questions.
Batman showed no impatience, softly explaining away all May's curiosities.
When the R8 stopped again at Forest Hills residence 20, May had learned everything about Batman's "entrepreneurship."
She joyfully accepted that Batman used his intelligence to legally and properly earn wealth.
But simultaneously May felt somewhat heartbroken. No matter how accomplished this person became, he'd never again be that adorably rumpled nephew driving Ben's old truck.
This sports car symbolized "Bruce Wayne." It silently announced "Peter's" departure.
May loved the current Peter Parker—Batman—but that didn't mean she'd forgotten the real Peter Parker.
Given the choice, May hoped both boys could live well separately, occasionally visiting her.
Batman's emotions finally calmed enough to keenly perceive May's mood shift. He could even guess why.
"May, Peter has extremely high probability of crossing into my original body. He might suffer some hardship, but he's definitely safe. He'll return." Batman looked at May.
"I know, I know..." May murmured quietly.
Batman didn't want May's mood continuing downward. Beyond buying himself a car, he'd brought something else this visit:
"May, there seems to be a paper under your seat. Could you pick it up for me?"
"Of course, child." May apparently didn't want her emotions affecting Batman. She put a smile back on her face.
She bent down, reaching under the seat and feeling around. Finding a thick paper, she pulled it out and produced reading glasses from her pocket:
"Let May read it for you."
"Address, 20 Ingram Street, Forest Hills... isn't this our house?"
May startled, but continued reading: "Area... floors... property owner..."
Here May's voice stopped. She disbelievingly moved her reading glasses down, looking over the lenses to read the document's text:
"May Parker? May Parker?"
May instantly understood what this was. Her hand holding the property deed trembled slightly. Tears instantly filled her eyes.
"Child..." Her voice choked, looking at Batman with eyes full of pain. "Why would you do this? Do you think... you think this way, you can... you can..."
May choked several times before finishing:
"Giving me something like this makes me think you'll never come back."
She'd already lost one Peter Parker. Was she about to lose another "Peter Parker" now?
Recalling Batman driving her around, telling her his achievements—this worry peaked.
"I don't want it." May shook her head, tears falling. "I live here because this place holds Ben and Peter's memories. Not because it's a house I own."
May's reaction once again exceeded Batman's expectations. But this time Batman recovered quickly:
"Precisely because it holds their memories, it must be yours. No one can take it away—not landlords, not time. As long as you're here, Uncle Ben and Peter will always have a home."
"What about you, child?" May wiped her tears, fearing Batman would say he wouldn't visit anymore. "From the moment you called me 'May,' you became my family. I've never worried about how you'd care for me—I worry... who will care for you?"
Batman took May's hand, placing it in his palm. Feeling this wrinkled hand's slight trembling and tension, he consoled:
"No matter where I am, this place is where I must return."
May's worry completely dissolved. She wept uncontrollably.
But this time, tears washed away fear and panic. She embraced Batman tightly—no longer because she treated him as Peter's replacement, but because he was "Bruce."
An intelligent but clumsy second nephew of hers.