The others at the table, seeing the two begin to argue, had already set down their knives and forks, pulling their chairs closer to listen as George and Gwen's boyfriend locked into their debate.
The distinguished gentleman leaned back like he was presiding over a meeting in the office. Raising a hand to cut Peter off, he said:
"I've seen him online. Everyone talks about him like he's some kind of public hero."
Peter shook his head quickly.
"No, no, no. I never said he was a hero."
"Then what exactly are you saying?"
"I think he wants to help. He wants to do the things the police can't." Peter hurriedly stuffed a bite of fish into his mouth. After such a long day, he felt like he could eat an entire cow.
"Things the police can't do?"
George's voice rose."And what do you think we're doing? Sitting around eating donuts? Doing nothing at all?"
As the argument grew more heated, Gwen quickly stepped in.
"Dad, please."
Her mother added softly, trying to calm him."George, George."
But Peter wasn't backing down.
"I think he's on the same side as you protecting innocent people, making sure they aren't hurt by criminals."
George pressed on.
"I represent law and order. We are the guardians of the people that's what it means to be a police officer. I wear this badge, and with it, I wield the authority granted by the people. But the so-called Spider-Man hides behind a mask, in a tight suit, like some circus acrobat. Every day he sets up his own private court, chasing his personal thrills, trampling on public rights, disrupting order. That isn't protecting innocent citizens. That looks far more like declaring war on the government, declaring war on the police, Mr. Parker!"
Gwen slammed her knife and fork onto her plate with a sharp clatter.
Cutting her father off, she said,"Let's get some fresh air, Peter."
Peter hesitated, then stood and gave a small bow to everyone at the table.
"Thank you for inviting me. I apologize for my behavior just now. If I offended you, that was never my intention. The sea bass was delicious. Thank you, Mrs. Stacy."
The woman nodded politely."You're very welcome."
With that, Peter got up and followed Gwen out to the shared balcony of the apartment floor.
George watched Peter leave and snorted.
"That Peter Parker has no sense at all. First time in someone else's home and he can't even dress properly. Anyone can see he's not from a respectable family. We shouldn't be bringing people like that home again."
Mrs. Stacy thought her husband was being too harsh. Although this was her first time meeting the boy, she admired the sincerity he carried, and the way he held his ground, calmly reasoning even in the face of authority. From his clothes, it was true his background seemed ordinary, but as a woman, she believed love was what mattered most.
She looked at her husband and said,"You don't need to be so sensitive. Maybe he and our daughter are just classmates. You're overthinking it."
George snapped back angrily,"Classmates? We've been around long enough to know better. That boy sees how outstanding our daughter is, and he's shamelessly clinging to her. Who knows what tricks he used to get Gwen to bring him here? I thought he'd be some prodigy or an athlete, but he's just another ordinary, poor kid."
Mrs. Stacy frowned."As parents, we can't look down on someone just because he's poor. There's an old saying: never underestimate a poor youth. Weren't you also just a poor boy from the West Side once? And didn't I still marry you?"
At those words, George coughed twice, signaling her to stop.
The children, hearing their parents' exchange, quietly set down their utensils, wished their parents goodnight, and slipped back to their rooms.
Once the children had gone, Mrs. Stacy reached out and held George's large hand.
"George, I know that boy upset you by arguing with you just now. But a lamp doesn't shine unless it's lit, a gong doesn't sound unless it's struck, and reason doesn't become clear without debate. You expressed your view, why shouldn't Peter be allowed his? I don't read the papers much, so I don't know if this Spider-Man is good or bad. But when young people like our kids and Peter admire him, that must mean he has something unique. A masked Robin Hood may not be a celebrity, but the fact that people admire him shows he's doing something right. You should at least consider their perspective."
George gave a verbal agreement, but the way his hand shifted made Mrs. Stacy's cheeks flush.
"What are you doing? We've been married so long already."
Night fell, and the Bronx skyline glowed. In the heart of the city, surrounded by tall buildings, cars streamed endlessly along the asphalt far below the twentieth-floor terrace.
Gwen and Peter stood there, gazing out at the bustling lights of New York, unsure how to begin.
"This really was unexpected."
Gwen stretched out her arms, doing a few chest-expanding exercises, while Peter stood with his hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on the rolling waves of the cityscape.
Hearing Gwen's words, Peter said,"I'm really sorry. I did get a little carried away back there. For a moment, I thought he was going to arrest me."
(End of Chapter)
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