What lies behind a smile

20

Tony
(The next day in the evening)

"Tony?" Peter says I look up from my phone. "I did a lot of homework and I-I know it's late but I was wondering if we could go to my old apartment?"

"Right now?"I look at the clock at 7:40. It's late but it's a Friday I have nothing else to do. And tomorrow is a Lazy day. "Yeah sure."I say "Let me change, Fri gets happy, and tells him to get some boxes. "
                  ___________

on the way to Peter's old apartment, I keep a close eye on him. He's either too focused on the road or doesn't seem to mind. I am proud of him for finally wanting to come. Every time is I bring up visiting May he gets all freaked out. But this is a step.

"Peter."He looks at me. "We're fine, try not to focus on the road bud," I say. Every time he's in a car he's focused on his surroundings.

"Sorry." Happy pulls over and Peter takes a deep breath grabbing the keys. We walk up to his apartment and he opens the door. The place is nice, May did a good job providing a home for Peter. She was a great aunt. Peter looks around picking up stuff I start to bring all the boxes in.

"You want me to grab anything?"

"Pictures, um family pictures."I nod and start grabbing pictures. It's mostly Peter, May, and Ben. There are a few pictures of a man and woman I don't recognize with a little Peter. Likely his parents. He looks just like his mom same doe brown eyes and rosy cheeks.

Peter disappears into Mays's room and when he comes out he has perfume in hand. The sweet smell clouds my nose. "How are you feeling."Peter shrugs.

"It's just a lot."His voice cracks and he's avoiding facing me. We walk to his room and I start grabbing pictures and posters. Peter sighs opening a drawer I watch as he pulls out a blade, their dried blood on it. He then stares at his bed.

"I wonder if she knew."He says looking down at the blade. "She hinted it but I wonder if she knew."

"I can't answer that Bud."He nods his curly brown hair falling on his face. I should probably schedule him a haircut soon it's getting long and he doesn't tend to it anymore.

"I'll go get another box."

"Leave the blade."Peter hands it to me taking another box. So this is what he would use. There is a thud and I hear Peter yelp.

"Pete?"Peters folded over the table his hands on his hip.

"What happened?"I ask

"I hit my hip."

"Oh, your fine, Steve takes hip hits better than you." He gives me a playful expression. "Don't compare me to a 100-year-old."I laugh. Peter laughs and suddenly turns into sobs.
I've been waiting for him to break, to accept May was gone but it doesn't make seeing him cry any easier. He wraps his arms around himself.

What helped me when my parents died? Okay, I'm not letting Peter try my old coping mechanism.

"I know bud."His grip tightens I decide against making a lame joke. He pulls away wiping his face.
"I just gonna get some stuff from Mays room and w-we can go."

"you don't wanna stay longer?"He sighs. "No, you can get rid of it now...just let me grab some more stuff.

"I can get some people to bring the stuff to the tower. It can  go in the storage if you want." Peter nods.

"Bud it's okay to cry."He nods biting his lip. I pull him close to me again and start crying again.
"I know I know, just let it out."
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644 words
4-11-22