Manhattan, Goring Apartments!
Helen Stacy, who has been a stay-at-home wife and mother since marrying George Stacy, is preparing dinner in the kitchen.
Nine-year-old Howard Stacy and eight-year-old Simon Stacy, Gwen's younger brothers, are sitting in the living room watching TV with urgency.
Yes.
Urgency, because once Helen is free, she'll urge them to study.
As Helen puts it, your sister Gwen studies so well, you two came from the same womb, your studies should be just as good.
But in reality, Howard and Simon's grades can't be said to be very bad, just hovering at the passing line, sometimes slipping below it if they're not careful.
And now,
Howard and Simon messed up their year-end exams, so Helen directly cut one hour from their daily entertainment time.
Just then,
The doorbell rang.
"Howard, Simon, it's time to go to your room and read."
"...Alright."
Helen walked out from the kitchen, glanced at Howard and Simon sitting on the sofa, and said mildly, then watched them walk resignedly to their rooms on the second floor while moving to open the door.
Hawk stood at the door, greeted by the first impression of a gentle Helen, smiled and said, "Good evening, Madam Stacy."
Helen was initially stunned, then warmly invited Hawk inside, "Good evening, Hawk, come in."
Hawk thanked her, then was pulled inside by Gwen.
This was Hawk's first time visiting someone else's home in this life.
Gwen's apartment is also a duplex on the top floor, not very large, but every corner gives off a warm and tidy feeling.
Hearing the commotion downstairs, George Stacy walked down the stairs with a stern face.
Gwen, introducing Hawk to her mother, heard the footsteps and saw George coming down, "Dad."
Hawk politely greeted, "Mr. Stacy."
George's face was serious and meticulous, much like a stoic leader.
But it was better than yesterday.
At least George acknowledged with a grunt and then silently walked over to the dining table.
Helen, seeing her husband's demeanor, shook her head slightly amused, then said to Hawk, "Hawk, please sit down, dinner is ready."
Hawk thanked her again, and with Gwen leading, sat opposite George, nodding and smiling.
Helen then called upstairs.
"Howard, Simon, time to eat."
"Coming."
Howard and Simon had been waiting for this moment in their rooms with their books, and they came running down the stairs, paused at the sight of a stranger in the dining room, but still stared at Hawk even after sitting down.
Hawk noticed and extended his right hand to Howard.
"Hello, Howard, I'm Hawk."
"I'm Howard."
"I'm Simon."
Eight-year-old Simon stood up, shook Hawk's hand, and blinked at him, "Are you my sister's boyfriend?"
Hawk instinctively glanced at George, sitting opposite.
As expected.
George's face darkened like a storm.
Very dark.
But,
He didn't voice any objection.
Hawk smiled slightly and nodded at Simon, who shared Gwen's blonde hair, "Yes."
That settled it.
George's face darkened further.
Gwen, however, smiled and ruffled Simon's hair.
Well done, little brother.
She decided to give her brother Ten US Dollars before bed as a reward.
As for Howard, he would get nothing.
Unlike Eastern family meals, Gwen's family follows a distinct and typical American individual plate format.
Of course,
This might be George Stacy's preference.
Anyway, for Hawk, as an outsider, unless someone is very familiar since childhood or has visited many times, it's rare to share a communal meal on a first visit.
Hawk understood.
Though separate, dinner was indeed good.
This was Hawk's most dinner-like meal since arriving in this life.
There's little to say about school meals.
When alone, Hawk doesn't pursue flavor and aroma; being full suffices since surviving is hard enough.
At the dining table,
George ate in silence, like a patriarch.
Helen, the gentle matriarch, occasionally asked if Hawk liked the food and some other light questions.
Gwen served as a mediator between her boyfriend and her mother, while warily watching her father George across the table, fearing an outburst.
Nine-year-old Howard and eight-year-old Simon focused on their plates, eating happily.
At this moment,
George took a sip of whiskey, clearing his throat.
The immediate moment.
Helen and Gwen's eyes instantly fell on George.
Here it comes.
Hawk internally noted and also focused on George, who had been watching him with sidelong glances.
Just as George was about to speak, Helen caught Gwen's pleading look, and mentally chuckled, yet she spoke first.
"By the way, George, tell us about your work. Did you catch Spider-Man?"
"..."
George glanced at Helen, then at Gwen with a half-smile, finally fixing his gaze on Hawk, "Not yet, but we will. He's an outsider and left us a lot of clues."
Finished speaking,
George didn't give Helen and Gwen another chance to interrupt but smiled at Hawk, "By the way, Hawk, what's your take on this newly appeared Spider-Man? Do you also see him as a so-called vigilante?"
Under the table, Gwen lightly squeezed Hawk's leg.
Hawk received Gwen's signal, chuckled, shook his head.
"Sir, I've been in Maryland these days, just returned yesterday, and spent today at the library."
"Frankly speaking,"
"I'm still a student, so I'm only concerned about getting a scholarship from New York University and securing loan approval from the bank."
"As for Spider-Man, I'm not concerned whether he's a vigilante or an attention-seeking hippie criminal."
"..."