The park was buzzing with families, joggers, and kids running through the playground. On a wooden bench near the fountain, Richard Parker sat with his seven-year-old son, Peter Benjamin Parker, both enjoying cones of melting ice cream.
Peter, with freckles across his nose and a mop of messy red hair, swung his legs back and forth, staring curiously at his father.
Peter: Dad?
Richard glanced down, already sensing the kind of question coming.
Richard: Yeah, buddy?
Peter: Can you tell me the story of… Ultimate Spider-Man? 'Cause I been hearing in my class about him! Everybody's talking about him!
Richard chuckled, ruffling Peter's hair affectionately, making the boy scrunch his nose.
Richard: Ohhh, son… no.
Peter: Dad!
Richard laughed harder, shaking his head.
Richard: You really wanna know who Spider-Man is, huh?
Peter nodded eagerly, eyes wide with curiosity.
Peter: Yeah! I wanna know! Who is he? Is he real? Is he like Superman?
Richard looked at his boy so full of questions, so full of life and for just a moment, his smile softened into something more thoughtful.
Richard: One day, son… one day you'll know.
Peter pouted, licking his ice cream, then looked up again.
Peter: Promise?
Richard put an arm around Peter's shoulders, pulling him close.
Richard: Promise.