Spiderboy

forty four

The keys clicked in the front lock, and I swung open the front door of the apartment.
"you know, I've never actually been here." Peter said, looking around interested. I smiled and laughed. He had only ever come through my window. I dropped my keys on the bench, and my bag near the door and led Peter around the corner to the lounge and kitchen area. May was sitting on the couch with dad, who had Carrie in his lap, and the noises from the kitchen told me Uncle Jack was cooking. Dad saw us walk in and stood up to say hello.
"Dad this is Peter." I said, gesturing behind me where Peter was admiring a wooden sparrow. At his name, he turned around and shook hands with my dad.
"Parker!" Uncle Jack called from behind the wall and my dad raised an eyebrow, practically hearing his brothers thoughts.
"oh?" he said and i narrowed my eyes.
"not a word." I warned,and turned back to Pete.
"Peter, this is my Dad, and you already met my Uncle." I added,and Peter smiled and nodded.
"nice to meet you sir." he said and dad laughed.
"call me Jay. Alexis can you take Carrie for a bit?" he says and I nodded, turning to the two year old. She rocketed into my legs, and would have knocked me over of Peter hadn't caught onto my arms before I fell. I thanked him and he answered with his crooked smile. I bent down to Carrie's level and she threw her and around my neck. I patted her back and picked her up, settling her on my hip so it was more comfortable for me.
Carrie watched Peter fur a minute, sizing him up maybe, and I tried not to laugh. Peter was behind her gaze with a serious expression. A few seconds later she let out a bubbly laugh and held her arms out to Peter.
"pudderman!" she giggled, and Peters eyes went wider. I transferred my sister to him and he looked a little lost.
"Lexa, what are you doing?" he says and I grinned, tickling my baby sister so she squirmed and giggled again.
"she likes you. And my arms were getting tired." I insisted and he shook his head.
"liar, what if my arms get tired?" he says and I stuck my tongue out at him.
"if you can hold a bus you can hold a baby." I teased and he rolled his eyes, but didn't complain, adjusting his grip and tilting his head at the little girl. I left the adults to their own and went upstairs, opening my bedroom door and shutting it again after Peter entered with Carrie. She giggled "pudderman" a few more times and then walked over to my desk.
"do you think she recognises you or is just a fan of Spiderman." I wondered aloud and Peter laughed.
"how about both?" he suggested and I shrugged one shoulder.
"who knows." I replied, watching Carrie play with my camera.
"you know, i was going to continue from earlier, but I don't think that's gonna happen anymore." he said, watching Carrie, and I laughed. Carrie came over to me, still holding my pastel peach camera and held it up. I took it from her, smiling and she left again, climbing up my desk chair. Peter took the camera out of my hands, and turned it on.
"how do you work this?" he mused, and I pointed the the photo button. He grinned and held up the camera, facing us and I laughed.
"well you're quite the photographer." I said, and he grinned wider, putting down the still black Polaroid and looking at me.
"Yup, that's me." he said, and kissed my cheek. I snorted a laugh and he grinned, watching me.
"you missed." I said and he raised an eyebrow, then kissed my lips quickly. I heard dad call from the bottom of the stairs for dinner, and Carrie bowled out the door, followed a little slower by the rest of us. I sat down at the table, in front of a steaming bowl of soup and bread, and Peter sat next to me. I stuck my spoon in the steaming broth and ignored the conversations around me, until I heard my name. I perked my head up at Peters voice.
"we just know each other from school, Alexis is in my homegroup and some of my classes." Peter exclaimed, his tone sounded defensive. I looked around to see May looking amused, and Peter looking uncomfortable.
"you talk much?" Jack questioned and Peter shifted in his seat next to me.
"well, I guess, we sit together at lunch." he said and I grinned, watching poor Peter become more and more embarrassed.
"is that all, you looked close when I saw you in the den." May added, just as I put a spoonful of soup in my mouth, and I accidentally sprayed the hot liquid back out o to the tablecloth. Dad and May laughed, but Uncle Jack looked concerned. He gave Peter a hard look, and Peter widened his eyes a little, avoiding his eyes. I smiled into my bowl, wiping my mouth with the back of my sleeve, and went back to my food. There was a splash as Peter dropped his spoon into his bowl, and I glanced up again, and my face fell. He had a look of concentration on his face, and I knew what was on his mind. Times up. I sighed, and dropped my spoon as well. Now it was for spiderman to show up.
"I'm not that hungry, actually." Peter said, and I bit my lip. May frowned, and glanced at her nephew.
"what's wrong, you feeling alright?" may said, and Peter gave her a close lipped smile.
"I Uh, I might just head home. Yeah, you stay, I don't want to cause any trouble, I'll just catch the subway." he said, backing towards the door. May stood up too, and shook her head as Peter left the room.
"he's a strange kid." she said, sitting back down.
My chair scraped as I pushed it back, and hurried out the door after Peter.
"hey," I held onto his arm and he turned around again. "be careful." I whispered and he nodded, hugging me.
"yeah, I got it. bye Lexa." he said, and hiked his bag up into his shoulder, turning and shutting the door behind him as he left the apartment.