Chapter 12

Chapter 12 Peter Parker stared at his front door. In one hand he held his house keys. In the other, he held a carton of milk. He took a deep breath, unlocked the door, and went inside. "Aunt May," he called. "I'm back." There was no response. All the lights in the house were out except for those in the kitchen. He could hear water running. He followed the sound. Aunt May was cleaning the last of the teacups in the sink. She set it to dry alongside the others. She turned off the water.

"I brought the milk," Peter said. He did not look at Aunt May. Instead, he looked at his feet. "Thank you, Peter," Aunt May said. "We can use it for breakfast tomorrow." Peter looked up. "Tomorrow?" he asked. "But the tea party-?" "Is over," she said. "Anna and her niece left early." Peter's face flushed red. If only he could tell Aunt May he was Spider-Man. She would understand why he was late

with the milk and he wouldn't have to feel so guilty. Then Peter had an idea. While he couldn't tell Aunt May that he was a Super Hero, he could tell her that being late wasn't his fault! "You know," Peter said, "I would have been back with the milk right away but I ran into a friend who needed my help. I couldn't say no because she was really in a sandy— I mean, sticky situation. And just when I thought the problem was solved, it got even bigger! How was I supposed to know that was going to happen?" Peter stopped talking. His words reminded him of ones he had heard earlier. They sounded like the words the Sandman had used to excuse his bad behavior. Peter went to Aunt May and took her hands.

"But none of that matters, Aunt May," he said. "There's no excuse for missing the tea party. And there's no excuse for not bringing you the milk when I said I would. I'm sorry I ruined your day. I hope you can forgive me." Aunt May hugged her nephew. "Thank you, Peter," she said. "I accept your apology. I am proud of you for taking responsibility."

She walked to the dish-drying rack and pulled out two teacups. "But nothing is ruined. Early evening is a perfect time for tea." Peter smiled. "I'll turn on the kettle," he said. He grabbed the teapot on the stove and filled it with water from the sink. "Would you please get two saucers for the cups, as well?" Aunt May asked. She pulled out a box of tea. "You betcha," Peter replied. Together, they set the kitchen table for a tea party for two. Peter Parker and his aunt enjoyed a nice cup of Earl Grey tea with milk. She told him about Spider-Man's exciting adventure that she had watched on the news. He made sure her cup was never empty.

As Peter and Aunt May drank their tea, two squirrels perched on a branch just outside the Parkers' kitchen window. They watched the tea party in the evening light. They chittered away and enjoyed an acorn feast of their own.