Chương 43: A DEBT OF LIFE
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Joshua's day began as usual in the alley under his makeshift home made of cardboard and wooden pallets. He rolled over and opened one eye, blinking away the blurriness that remained no matter how many times he blinked. It was always there. The doctors called it an astigmatism, whatever that meant. It's been years since he had checked in with his doctor, he is now homeless living on scraps after all.
He looked over and saw a box of warm food, two bottles of water, a pack of cigarettes, and a can of soda just beside his bed. It's been two weeks since someone put the care package next to him and every time he'd awoken the same way. Not only that, that person, whoever they are, always puts food three times a day without his notice, and sometimes he finds money instead of food. He could have used the money to stay in a cheap motel, but decided to save it for the future. Last week he got a pair of new sweaters, a blanket, new shoes, and a pair of gloves. He was very curious to know who that person was, but he had never caught them in the act.
"Thank you, whoever you are," Joshua said.
He stretched his back out as far as it would go, feeling the cracks in his spine. Then took the water bottle and washed his face and hands. It's freezing again today, might snow heavily tonight. Then he went into his cardboard house, "Let's see what for breakfast today," Joshua said to himself as he opened the box. "Ah! Haha!" He chuckled seeing the meatballs and spaghetti, a meal he was very fond of. "Now who would know that I love this food?"
He ate his meal. Then he tugged the cigarette box in his pocket and put the water bottles and soda can into his old backpack. He was about to leave for his sweeping job at the metro bathroom when he noticed an extra packet near his shoes. "Huh?! What's this?" He opened the packet and took out the contents. There was a small piece of paper and a few photos of Spiderman. The note read 'Sell them to the Daily Bugle. I'm sure Jonah Jameson would pay some nice cash for them. Say you want $100 and you will bring more tomorrow, but he will laugh and try to give you 20-30 bucks. Take the photos and say you will go to Daily Globe, they pay better. Jameson will then offer you around $80. So, take the offer.'
Joshua was puzzled. "Sell them?" He looked around the alley, but there wasn't anyone but the passing people. He looked up and down the street, but no one caught his eyes, just civilians and cars. Then he looked at the photos and smiled, "Well, why not?"
Joshua went to the Daily Bugle.
He walked down the hallway and into the office where everyone was busy at their desk typing or calling on their phone. He stood by the door and looked around the place, then he walked to the reception. A young girl was sitting behind the counter, talking on the phone. "I'm sorry, but Mr. Jameson is not available today. You can leave a message if you want," she said. Then she looked back through the window at Jameson who gave him a thumbs-up and a smile.
Joshua waited until the girl hung up the phone. "Hello, miss."
The girl looked up and her face lit up with a smile, "Oh, hello. Can I help you with something?"
"Yeah. I have some photos I want to sell," Joshua said, giving her the photos.
"Let's see," the girl said, looking through the photos. She took one photo, "Please wait a moment." She went to Jameson's office and knocked on the door, "Excuse me, Mr. Jameson. This guy here has a few photos of Spiderman he wants to sell."
"Well, send him in!" Jameson said loudly. "And what did she say? The call? Meds?"
"One at nine and two after lunch..." She replied with a smile.
"I know, I know, Betty... Haa. Told her not to worry too much. Anyway, send him in," Jameson grabbed a cigar from the case and was about to light it.
"And she said no cigar," Betty said, pointing at him.
Jameson pouted, and blew a puff of air, "Dammit, well... Hmph!"
Joshua was brought into the office.
"So you have photos of Spiderman? Show me."
Joshua handed him the photos. Jameson took them and looked through each one.
"Hmmm... Not bad... But you know Spiderman is a menace, right? You sure these photos are legit? 20 bucks," Jameson said throwing the photos on the table.
Joshua knew that would happen. So he said just as mentioned in that note, "$100. And I can get more tomorrow."
Jameson raised an eyebrow, "What?! $100? Are you crazy?! $40."
Joshua smiled, "Daily Globe, pays way better." He picked up the photos and turned around.
Jameson slammed both hands on his desk, "Wait! Wait! $80 not a penny more!"
Joshua turned around with a victorious grin, "Deal." He came back to Jameson's desk, collected the money, and left.
He spent the rest of the day sweeping bathrooms and subway stations. When evening came he returned to the alley under his cardboard home, there was another care package, same as usual: a box of warm food, two bottles of water, a pack of cigarettes, and a can of soda.
"Thanks again," Joshua said with a chuckle. He opened the box and found meatloaf this time. He was having fun guessing what kind of meals that mysterious caretaker would bring him tomorrow.
That evening when he was taking a walk along the street, he stopped before a toy store. A big one with toys displayed behind the glass window. His eyes were on the Christmas-themed train set. He watched the tiny trains moving around the track while decorated trees and Santa Claus waved to the children. Joshua smiled, remembering how his daughter asked him to buy one for him just a day before everything fell apart. He sighed and continued walking down the street. There isn't any point in thinking about the past. But that little hope that the guy he saved, gave him that stormy night was all the hope he had left. That maybe his daughter was still alive somewhere safe, waiting for him.
Joshua shook his head, "Nah... Even if she is still alive... What can a homeless man do for her? I... I just hope she's alright. That's enough for me..."
***
That night was snowing way too much. Joshua was inside his house, wrapped in the new blanket. He was cold, but thanks to a full belly and warm blanket he managed to fall asleep.
Suddenly he woke up from a light knock on his cardboard door.
"Huh?!" He rubbed his eyes and sat up. At first, he thought it was some random dude trying to steal his blanket or something, but then he remembered that mysterious caretaker. Joshua got up and peeked out of the cardboard wall. Someone was sitting on the dumpster, "Who are you?" He asked.
"A friend of mine told me about you and your situation. You are looking for your daughter, right? I am here to keep that promise. You saved him when no one would, so, a debt of life must be repaid with life. So let's talk," The man said.
Joshua stepped outside his cardboard house. He looked at the man sitting on the dumpster, "Promise! He remembered?!"
"Not everyone is like the world you live in. Some remember the kindness done to them," The man said, jumping down from the dumpster. Then he walked toward him and stood under the street light.
"Spiderman?!" Joshua gasped in shock, "No way!!"
Spiderman smiled under his mask, "That's me. By the way, if you don't mind me asking, why are you still on the streets? I guess, the money was sufficient enough to rent a motel, right?"
Joshua shrugged, "Are you the one who gave me all that food and money?! I... Thank you."
Spiderman nodded, "It's nothing. So why aren't you renting a motel?"
Joshua scratched his neck awkwardly, "I... Well, I... Would it sound weird if I were to say I am saving it to buy some toy train?" He chuckled awkwardly.
Spiderman tilted his head, "Toy train?"
Joshua explained, "There was this toy store. They sold train sets... My daughter wanted one last Christmas... But things happened... I am sure your friend has already explained my situation... I am babbling nonsense, ain't I?"
"No, it's fine. I understand... Well then, let's come back to the matter at hand. Shall we?" Spiderman said.
Joshua nodded.
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