Avengers Generations

Chapter 5

Charity Coulson sat in Starbucks listening to The Piano Guys on her phone. She sipped at her chai, and her left fingers twitched on her cup. She was daydreaming about playing the cello.

"Hey, Beautiful."

Charity looked up, took one of her earbuds out, and smiled. "Hi, Peter!" she said.

Her boyfriend leaned down and kisseher on the nose.

"No classes today?" He asked. It seemed to him that Charity almost always had some music or art classes she was running off to. Even now, during the summer.

"Nope." Said Charity.

"Any plans then?"

"Well," she hesitated "I was thinking about driving to Portland to see my mom."

"I have a better idea." Peter said, snatching her hand up "Why don't you and I go to the park." His eyes danced around her face, as if he was trying to enjoy every part of it at once.

"The park?" Charity said hesitantly.

"Yeah," Peter said "We can pack a picnic lunch, feed the ducks, I'll buy you ice cream, and we'll stay till after dark to stargaze."

Charity smiled. How could her boyfriend be more perfect?

"Fine." She said "I'll visit with my mom another day." She felt a little guilty about it though - she knew her mom was lonely. Ever since her dad died, Charity's mom, Abigail Turner, had been... well... a little bit of a loner.

Charity couldn't remember her dad, just pictures and stories. She had only been a year old when her mom moved to Portland to pursue her career in music, and her father had died less than a month later in an office fire. Her mom and dad really loved each other. Charity could tell from the pictures of them together - and that her mom had Charity's name changed after his death. All her friends though it was weird that she was "Charity Coulson" instead of "Charity Turner" but she and her mom loved it.

Charity wanted to look out for her mom, but now she had Peter as well - and he was the best thing that had ever happened to her. It was hard dividing her time, but today she was spending the day in the park.

"Great!" Peter said, kissing his girlfriend. She had a gorgeous smile. He knew she would become a great cellist someday. She would have concerts, be on TV, get rich and famous... And she would be his. His life was good.

The two walked out of the coffee shop. It was a cool morning for summer. Peter looked at his Volkswagen beetle.

"Let's walk." He said. Charity wrapped her arm around his and put her head on his shoulder.

"Sounds great." She said.

It was so easy to talk to Peter. Everything Charity said seemed important to him. Even when he couldn't relate, he still understood. Charity could talk about the most awkward things, but she never felt uncomfortable.

The two had a great time at the park. After their picnic, they were walking through a grove when Peter noticed some street performers.

"Look," he said "A string quartet!"

He could have said "Look, it's Batman!" and received the same response.

"What?" Charity said eagerly "Where?"

"There." Peter said, touching her back gently to guide her.

As they got closer, they could make out the tune. It was a pop hit, but the musicians were putting a classical twist on it. Charity loved it. She and Peter stood for a while watching.