Chapter 186: Across the Spider-Verse (11)

 These day unfolds at a lively celebration held in honor of Jefferson Morales, who has just been promoted to captain in the police force. The venue is a spacious backyard with festive decorations strung up, vibrant lights twinkling overhead, and tables laden with food. Music plays softly in the background, blending with the hum of conversation and laughter. Kids are running around, playing games and enjoying the atmosphere.

Rio Morales weaved through the crowd, her gaze scanning the sea of faces. She called out to passing guests, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and concern. "Have you seen Miles?" she asked a man in a Hawaiian shirt, who shook his head. A woman in a bright sundress gave a similar response.

As she continued her search, Jefferson stood near the grill, surrounded by a small cluster of fellow officers. He was animatedly discussing his new role with Officer Jon, who grinned widely as he clutched a plate of barbecue ribs.

"I'm glad you're here, man." Jefferson said, his pride evident as he flipped a burger with expert ease.

"Can't miss my fellow officer becoming a captain." Jon replied, his grin widening. The camaraderie between them was palpable, and Jefferson chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment.

Meanwhile, Rio's search took her to the far end of the yard, where she spotted her friend, a lively woman in her forties, making her way toward her with an air of purpose. Her friend's face was alight with enthusiasm as she approached Rio.

"Hermanita!" the woman called out, her voice bright with excitement.

Rio paused, puzzled. "Uh, what are you doing?" she asked, noting the microphone her friend was holding out to her.

"I'm about to make a speech for Jeff." her friend said, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she pressed the microphone into Rio's reluctant hands.

Before Rio could protest, her friend raised a hand, commanding attention with a practiced flourish. The clinking of glasses and the rhythmic tapping of a spoon against them soon dominated the soundscape, drawing the guests' attention. The chatter softened as people turned toward the impromptu stage area.

Jefferson, observing from his spot by the grill, felt a pang of dread. He knew all too well how much Rio dreaded public speaking. "Oh, dear God, no." he muttered under his breath, a mix of amusement and anxiety in his voice.

Rio, clutching the microphone with white-knuckled determination, took a deep breath. The spotlight of attention was now firmly on her. Her initial attempt at composure faltered slightly as she cleared her throat. "Uh, hi," she began, her voice wavering slightly as it was amplified through the microphone.

.......

The cake store was warm and inviting, with pastel-colored walls and shiny decorations. The smell of fresh cakes filled the air, mixed with the soft music playing on the radio. Miles Morales, dressed as Spider-Man, stood at the counter, tapping his fingers nervously as he waited for the older woman behind the counter to finish decorating his cake.

The old woman, a fixture of the shop known for her meticulous attention to detail, carefully piped icing onto the cake. Miles's order was a bit unconventional—he wanted a message that spanned more than just a few words, a heartfelt sentiment that reflected his mixed feelings.

"And I want you to know, no matter what, even though we've had our ups and downs, I'm so proud of you today, and every day," Miles recited, pacing back and forth, his voice a mix of determination and nerves.

The old woman, her hands steady as she worked, looked up with a bemused expression. "Hey" she said, trying to get his attention.

Miles, lost in his own thoughts, continued walking back and forth. "Parentheses. Mostly. LOL."

The old woman's patience wore thin. "Hey, Mr. Spider-Man, it won't fit on one cake."

Miles, momentarily distracted from his pacing, glanced over. "Can't you write smaller?"

"Can you say it shorter?" she retorted, her voice tinged with exasperation.

Miles chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Ahahahah," he laughed nervously, feeling a bit sheepish. "Alright, alright, I'll just get this cake and... yeah, this is okay, hahahaa."

The old woman gave him a resigned look but relented, adjusting the message to fit the cake as best as she could. "Come again." she called out as Miles paid for the cake.

With the cake carefully wrapped, Miles headed for the door, his movements light and slightly hurried. He felt a mix of relief and nervous anticipation. The cake was his gesture of celebration and apology, a symbol of his pride and affection for his father despite the complexities of their relationship.

Stepping outside, the cool afternoon air greeted him, a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the cake store. The street was bustling with the usual afternoon activity, but Miles's focus remained on the task at hand. He glanced back at the store, offering a quick wave to the old woman before making his way towards his next destination.

As he walked, his thoughts were a whirl of excitement and apprehension. He hoped that the cake would convey his feelings and serve as a small token of appreciation for Jefferson's promotion—a way to bridge the gap between their often turbulent relationship and the pride he felt for his father's achievements.

.........

The Afternoon air was filled with laughter and the faint strains of upbeat music. The backyard of the Morales home had been transformed into a lively party venue, complete with string lights casting a warm glow over the guests. Tables were laden with a variety of foods, and the smell of barbecued meats and freshly baked goods hung enticingly in the air.

In the midst of this festive atmosphere, Rio Morales had taken the microphone, her expression a mixture of nerves and determination. The crowd, a collection of friends, family, and colleagues, gathered around, their attention focused on her as she began her speech.

"What else can I say about Jeff?" Rio started, her voice slightly wavering but growing more confident as she continued. "That he was almost 10 pounds as a baby."

The crowd erupted into laughter, the sound mingling with the clinking of glasses and the soft murmur of conversations.

Rio, catching her breath and smiling at the audience, added, "I know you're gonna be embarrassed."

She continued, her tone becoming more playful, "He almost killed his mother. Look at those shoulders."

Jefferson, standing off to the side, could only facepalm in mock embarrassment as he muttered, "Oh, no. Okay. That's it." The guests laughed heartily at the anecdote, enjoying the light-heartedness of the moment.

Rio, not quite finished, playfully teased, "A big baby."

As the laughter continued, Jefferson approached Rio, his expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. He gently took the microphone from her hand, grinning as he said, "I'll take the mic. No more mics for you, okay?"

Rio laughed awkwardly, stepping back with a smile. "He's so funny." she said, still giggling as she joined the crowd.

Jefferson took a deep breath, focusing on the crowd with a more solemn expression. "Thank you, Rio, for that." he said, his tone shifting to one of sincerity.

As Rio glanced around, her gaze fell on the empty space where Miles should have been. She furrowed her brow, whispering to herself, "Where is that kid?"

Jefferson continued his speech, his voice carrying a tone of reflection and gratitude. "I didn't always know what I wanted to do in life." The crowd, sensing the shift in mood, fell silent, their attention rapt.

"I was pulled in a lot of different directions when I was young," Jefferson continued, his eyes drifting upwards as if reminiscing. "Me and my brother came up in this neighborhood." He gestured vaguely to the surroundings, his gaze wistful. "Just a couple of knuckleheads running the streets."

A few knowing nods and smiles appeared in the crowd, their understanding evident.

Jefferson's voice softened, and he looked at the people around him with appreciation. "You guys used to chase us out of your stores. And now, if you can believe it, it's my job to look out for you."

The crowd's smiles widened, and a few people murmured in agreement, touched by the sentiment.

Jefferson's gaze turned inward, reflecting on his personal journey. "And then I had a kid. And everything changed for the better."

.............

 Miles Morales, clad in his Spider-Man suit, darted through the streets, his mind focused on one thing: not being late to his parents' party. His usual agility, however, was now strained by the pressure of a ticking clock.

"Shit, I'm gonna be late." Miles muttered to himself, weaving through pedestrians and street vendors as he approached the train station. His suit clung tightly to him, its red and blue colors a blur against the city's backdrop.

As he reached the station, a familiar foe loomed in his path—The Armadillo, an unlikely villain with a tough shell and a gruff demeanor. The Armadillo raised his arms dramatically and proclaimed, "It is I, the Armadillo... Oh!"

Miles didn't miss a beat. With a swift kick, he sent the Armadillo sprawling, then leaped onto the nearby train tracks with nimble precision. The train's arrival was just in time, and Miles hopped aboard, the urgency in his movements barely masked by his superhero mask.

The train journey felt like it took an eternity. Finally, Miles reached his destination—a bustling part of the city where the party was being held. He spotted a taxi, and with a sigh of relief, he quickly loaded the cake into the backseat.

As he was about to get in, his spider sense suddenly tingled with an acute sense of danger. A woman's desperate cry for help reached his ears.

"Help, Spider-Man! He took my purse!" the woman shouted, her voice filled with distress.

Without hesitation, Miles turned away from the taxi and swung towards the scene. His webs shot out with precision, propelling him across the street in a graceful arc. He landed deftly near the thief, who was struggling with the purse.

"Hey, buddy!" Miles called out, his voice filled with authority. He executed a well-placed kick, sending the thief crashing into a nearby trash can. The thief yelped, dropping the purse as he clutched his side in pain.

Miles swiftly retrieved the purse and returned it to the grateful woman. "Here you go. Make sure to keep a better hold on your stuff next time." he advised with a friendly, albeit hurried, grin.

"Thank you so much, Spider-Man!" the woman exclaimed, her gratitude evident in her relieved smile.

As Miles turned to head back to the taxi, a sudden panic gripped him. The cake! He had left it behind. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. He raced back to where he had parked the taxi, only to see the car pulling away with the cake still inside.

"No, no, no!" Miles shouted, chasing after the taxi with all the speed his legs could muster. He leaped over curbs and dodged pedestrians, his heart pounding in his chest.

His spider sense was still on high alert as he sprinted, desperately hoping to catch up. The cityscape blurred around him, and the party seemed to slip further and further from reach. With one final burst of energy, he managed to catch up to the taxi, his fingers just barely able to grasp the door handle.

"Stop! Stop the taxi!" he yelled, his voice hoarse with exertion.

The taxi came to a halt, and the driver looked out with a puzzled expression. Miles quickly explained, "Sorry! I left something important in the back."

The driver nodded, and Miles opened the door, grabbing the cake with relief. He muttered a quick thank you and hurried away from the taxi, cake safely in hand.

As he made his way to the party, the sense of urgency had been replaced with a more manageable sense of relief. Despite the chaotic detour, he was determined to make it to the celebration.

Just as he began to relax, his spider sense went off again—this time with an even sharper warning.

"Oh, come on!" Miles groaned, frustration evident in his voice. He stopped in his tracks, glancing around, trying to pinpoint the source of danger.

.........

Jefferson Morales stood at the center of the backyard party, a spotlight of sorts for the assembled guests. The night was meant to celebrate his promotion to captain, and while the afternoon was filled with laughter, food, and dancing, there was an undercurrent of unease. Miles, his son, was conspicuously absent.

Jefferson took a deep breath and began, his voice clear and resonant. "I don't even know about giving a toast 'cause I should be toasting you all." His gaze swept over the crowd, acknowledging the presence of friends and family who had come to celebrate.

Rio, her eyes sparkling, maintained a proud smile, her gaze never leaving Jefferson.

Jefferson gestured towards the wall where a large painting of his late brother hung. The painting captured his brother's lively spirit, his eyes twinkling as if still engaged in mischief. Jefferson's voice grew softer, tinged with emotion. "So to my brother, who we miss every single day. He's definitely up there laughing at me right now."

A bittersweet smile graced Jefferson's lips as he continued, his voice breaking slightly with emotion. "They're making me captain, bro." He chuckled, but it was a reminisce chuckle, full of nostalgia and sorrow.

The crowd watched in respectful silence, some nodding in agreement, while others exchanged knowing glances. The mood was a mix of joy and poignancy, the air filled with a sense of shared history and collective support.

Jefferson turned his attention to Rio, his eyes softening with affection. "To my wife, mi amor. I can't even start because I'll never stop." He glanced at her, his expression conveying deep love and gratitude. Rio smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting her pride and admiration.

Jefferson, attempting to lighten the mood, said with a playful tone, "Have to take the mic from me." The crowd laughed, their spirits lifting as they enjoyed the moment of levity. Rio waved her hand, a gesture that said she was not taking the mic, laughing along with everyone else.

As the laughter subsided, Jefferson's gaze became wistful as he scanned the crowd. "And to my son..." His voice faltered slightly as he noticed the absence of Miles. Jefferson's face fell, a mixture of disappointment and sadness crossing his features. Rio glanced at him, her own disappointment mirrored in her eyes.

Jefferson's shoulders slumped slightly, his sadness evident. "The reason that I do any of this in the first place. I love you, Miles." He looked up at the sky, as if sending a message to his absent son. "And I will always, always be here for you." He spoke with heartfelt conviction, the weight of his words resonating through the quiet crowd.

The silence that followed was heavy, filled with unspoken words and shared feelings. The partygoers exchanged sympathetic looks, understanding the significance of Jefferson's words.

To break the heavy silence, Jefferson called out, "Benny, man. Come on, drop the beat!"

Benny, the DJ, responded promptly, switching to a lively track that filled the air with upbeat music. The crowd's mood shifted, and they began to dance and celebrate, their earlier somberness replaced by the rhythm of the music.

Rio, her frustration palpable, murmured to herself, "I'm gonna kill that kid." Despite her words, her eyes softened with concern, knowing that Miles's absence was just as disappointing for him as it was for her.

To be continue