Last Thursday was Vermont Writes Day. My fourth graders and I (as well as all students in Vermont) had to take seven minutes of the day to just write. There were various prompts and such, like the craziest believable excuse for why you didn’t do your homework, and how Hurricane Irene affected you. I chose to do the one that was essentially a free write. Just write about a time and a place. I started off a story about myself in New York in the Marvel Universe (yeah, nerd alert, I know) and how Spider-Man saved my life. The kids enjoyed it enough to want me to finish it, so I did. So if you are interested, read on to hear the story. Just remember that it is written for 10 year olds, so it is nothing long/amazing/anything. Just fun!
Oh man, is the car ever going to get here?! I thought this to myself as I waited on the subway platform for the seven fifteen train. It was already three minutes late, which meant I would be late for work! Mr. Deyo would not be happy with me if I am late again.
All of a sudden, a loud rumbling coming from down the tunnel interrupted my thoughts. The ground began to shake beneath my feet. I could see a light coming quickly toward us. Soon I could see the subway car careening down the track on its side. It was off the rails and out of control. In just a few moments, the colossal hunk of metal flying at us would pulverize those of us standing on the platform.
“Geronimo!” Out of nowhere I heard a man shout out. A flash of blue and red zips past me, coming to a halt in the tracks. Seeing his silhouette in front of the fast approaching train, he looked no bigger than I was, and that is not saying much. I watched in amazement as strings flew from this guy’s hands and created a barricade against the wall and the car shooting at us. Wait, those were not strings, they’re webs!
“Close your mouth, bud. If you think this is cool, you should check out my fight with Venom! Its on Youtube!” Even though this hero just called me out on it, I could not help but stare wide eyed in bewilderment.
“Th-th-thank you, Spider-Man! I owe you my life!” I stammered out my gratitude as Spider-Man stared me down. At least, I think that is what he was doing. It was hard to tell what was going on underneath that uncanny mask. Maybe he was smiling. Maybe he was scowling. There was no way to be sure.
“Just your friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man doing what I do best! Remember this the next time you read that trash about me in the paper!” Wow this guy is quite the talker. Living in New York City all my life, this is not the first time I have seen a super hero in action. But nobody, and I mean nobody, chats it up like this guy. Uh-oh, he is still going. I should pay attention. “…Nobody respects ol’ Spidey anymore. You would think with all the lives I have saved, all the criminals I have taken down, all the…”
“SPIDEY!” I shouted his name to get him to stop blabbering on for one second. “Didn’t anyone teach you not to believe everything you read? I bet everyone here respects you after just saving our skins. I know I sure do! You are my hero.”
My hero paused for a moment before responding, the longest I have seen him go without talking since he arrived. “Say, thanks champ, that made my day. What is your name?”
“G-Geoff.”
Spider-Man lifted his mask halfway up his face, and I could see his friendly smile. Was he about to tell me his secret identity? Just a few more inches and I would be able to see. Instead, he stopped and extended his hand out for a shake. “I’m Spider-Man, pleased to meet ya! Maybe I’ll see you around.” And without another remark, Spider-Man swung out of the subway tunnel.
“Yeah, maybe…” I said under my breath.
