The dripping rain gradually became smaller, and when the wind blew, it drifted back and forth like cow's hair, bringing a chill to the body.
Howard's farewell ceremony was over and the old man had been buried in the cemetery.
Mike watched from a distance until everyone had almost gone, then he walked slowly towards the his headstone, with umbrella in hand.
Apparently, there was more than one person who felt the same way.
Mike nodded to Peggy Carter and the two stood in front of the headstone while Tony stood a short distance behind them watching in silence, Maria having been sent back by Tony because she was too emotional.
Peggy Carter looked at Howard's headstone and could not hold back her tears.
This was the last of her old friends.
This was a friend who had fought with her against Hydra, founded S.H.I.E.L.D., and fought together for decades.
She gently wiped away her tears and gave Mike a smile as she said, "To this day, I still don't think it's a joke from him that he will jump out from underneath and make fun of me for crying so hard."
Mike thought about it for a moment, given Howard's personality, something like that could really be done.
Peggy Carter tugged at the corner of her mouth and looked at Mike, "Actually, Howard and I envy you, your life."
"You guys are too tired."
Peggy Carter nodded, sighed and said, "Maybe, but it's our choice, we always feel we can do something for the world."
Mike looked at her and said, "I admire you guys."
Perhaps this is the mentality of most superheroes, a sense of responsibility that all people have, but many don't realise, or have abandoned, but is magnified in superheroes.
"I'm retiring.
Peggy Carter suddenly said.
Mike nodded.
"But I'll have someone watch Tony and Maria until I'm sure their lives are uninterrupted before I leave S.H.I.E.L.D."
At that, Mike raised an eyebrow and said, "They can call me if they get into trouble."
He and the old man were considered friends, no matter what.
Peggy Carter smiled and said, "He'll be relieved to have you say that."
"That's right."
Peggy Carter changed her tune and said, "What do you think of Nick Fury?"
"Hmm?" Mike looked puzzled and said, "Don't ask me that kind of question, I don't know him very well."
"I see."
Placing a daisy in the pile of flowers in front of the headstone, Mike got up and said to Peggy, "See you later."
Peggy nodded, still standing quietly in front of the headstone.
She wanted to spend a little more time with her old friend.
Mike headed for his car but was stopped in front of it by Tony.
Mike looked at Tony, who was tired and puzzled, and said, "What's wrong?"
Tony looked at Mike with something in his hand and his mouth opened, but he couldn't get the word 'uncle' out.
He had already guessed what was inside.
Tony passed the bag of papers forward and said, "This is what he asked me to do before he died, and if I don't give it to you, he said he'll come back for me."
The corner of Mike's eye popped.
That was a unique way of persuading someone.
He looked at it, reached out to take it, nodded to Tony and said, "Take care of your Mother."
"I know."
Tony nodded.
Mike opened the door, got in and pulled down the window, said to Tony and, as he turned his head to look, "Howard told me that you were his pride and joy."
Tony felt his heart constrict and took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly, and said, "Thank you."
Mike closed the window and looked at Tony, who was leaving quickly, and sighed softly, "An era is coming to an end."
The next era will be the era of superheroes.
Superheroes?
Mike's eyes were filled with anticipation as he thought of the three in his family.
I wonder what role these three boys will play in the future.
"Ho-ho!"
Mike couldn't help but laugh at the thought of what was to come.
Probably.
It would be fun.
He looked down at the paper bag in his hand and opened it with a murmur.
Inside, as he had expected, was a cheque for an exaggerated amount of money and a letter.
Putting the cheque in the bag, Mike shook his head with a smile and opened the letter Howard had given him.
After a quick glance, Mike smiled and put it back in the envelope.
He hadn't worked hard to make money, but he had become a rich man.
...
Time always slips away unnoticed, leaving behind only memories and some unique flavours.
Kent's Household.
Dzz, Dzz, Dzz!
The moment the meat came into contact with the oil, a rich aroma wafted.
As he stirred the meat, Mike said to Clark, who was helping with the dishes, "Clark, don't you have anything to say to me?"
Clark, who was eighteen years old, said without hesitation, "No!"
Mike raised an eyebrow and said, "No?"
Clark was silent as he put the food aside, picked up the freshly washed apples and stuffed them into his mouth, walked out the door with a tray of apples and said vaguely, "I don't understand what you're talking about Dad"
Mike ho-ho-ho laughed and said, "I remember you guys have a prom, have you found a date yet?"
Silence ...
Mike turned his head to look and Clark had disappeared from the kitchen.
"This boy."
Mike smiled.
Clark was eighteen years old, and still an innocent boy.
Yes, the kind that had never been in love.
Such a situation was simply too rare in the States.
As for Hope ...
Although Clark has always been close to her, she has never been a girlfriend, but rather a ... best friend.
Perhaps, Clark has been too low profile at school, otherwise with Clark's looks and qualifications, he would have been already sold out.
Wait ...
Mike suddenly remembered something very important.
Clark shouldn't be worried about ... that thing?
Mike poured the vegetables onto his plate and squeezed his chin, thinking he should have a talk with Clark.
As they walked towards the dining room with the food, father and son ate their dinner and talked about some interesting things, and as they did, the conversation led to Clark's prom.
Clark frowned and said, "I'm not going to any prom."
"That's not going to happen!"
Charles called out before Mike could say anything, "You have to go to the high school prom, it's important."
Eric nodded and said, "It's the last time you're going to have fun as a kid until you're an adult, it's the end and the beginning of the next phase of your life, you should go!"
...