Chapter 64 Family Day

The power of an American prosecutor is significant; they can decide whether to prosecute and engage in plea bargaining.

The charges against Dave and the possibility of reaching a deal are primarily determined by the prosecutor.

Directly negotiating with the prosecutor would be more beneficial for Dave.

Although the deputy chief is frustrated, he knows he can't deceive Dave.

The will case has been solved, but both the victim Tony and the perpetrator Cole Baker were using false identities. If Dave can reveal Tony's true identity, it would greatly assist in capturing Cole Baker.

Susan and the prosecutor are the ones who can truly decide on the plea deal.

Luke has little say in this matter, so he decides to take a leave and rest.

He wants to take Daisy out for some fun and romance, and he already has the place in mind.

Now there's only one problem: whether Daisy has time.

After work, Luke plans to go to a bar for a drink, but halfway there, he gets a call from his mom asking him to come home for dinner.

Luke rides his Harley back to the Enno community.

Riding the Harley felt cool at first.

Over time, it became just okay. Occasionally riding it for fun is fine, but a car is more comfortable for commuting.

Among other issues, rainy days are a problem and very inconvenient.

When he has more money, he plans to buy another car to alternate with the bike.

Of course, that's just a thought for now.

Entering the community road, Luke slows down. In the distance, a crowd is gathered by the roadside, seemingly watching a student fight.

Luke glances over and spots a familiar figure.

Two students are fighting: one is a burly white teenager, and the other is a chubby boy with black hair.

The white teenager looks about thirteen or fourteen, already close to adult height, and is posing in a boxing stance. "You fat and stupid loser, if you get near Maggie again, I'll beat you up."

The chubby boy's right cheek is slightly red and swollen, seemingly already punched, with an angry expression and teary eyes.

Many onlookers are jeering.

"Andrew, you're about to make this fat kid cry."

"What are you waiting for? Fight!"

"Jack, don't be a coward. Go for it."

...

The white teenager gestures provocatively, "Come on, baby."

The chubby boy retorts angrily, "Andrew, you're the trash. Maggie wouldn't like trash."

"You're dead." The white teenager charges and punches the chubby boy again.

The two start brawling.

Initially, they have a bit of a boxing stance, but soon it's just wild swinging and messy fighting.

The white teenager, using his physical advantage, knocks the chubby boy to the ground, pinning him down and swinging his fists.

"Bang!"

His fist hits a black helmet.

"Ah!" The white teenager yells in pain.

The chubby boy takes the opportunity to push him off.

Both are still heated and want to continue fighting, but a tall, black-haired young man intervenes.

"Stop! Anyone who keeps fighting, I'll beat them up." Luke pushes them apart.

Standing 6'1" and frequently working out, Luke's muscles are prominent, and his strength is far beyond these two teenagers.

The white teenager shouts, "This is between him and me. It's none of your business."

Luke smiles, "I'm making it my business."

The white teenager glances at Luke, then at Jack, and laughs, "Oh, I get it. Jack, you coward, you couldn't face me alone and got someone to help."

The chubby boy refutes, "Shut up. I didn't ask anyone for help."

"I don't want to get involved in your conflict.

But as Jack's brother, I have to break it up. If you want to fight, do it somewhere else next time."

The white teenager points at the chubby boy, "You better stay away from Maggie."

Jack gives him the finger, "None of your business."

"You idiot!" The white teenager glares at Luke, picks up his clothes from the ground, and leaves.

Luke scans the onlookers, "Why are you all still here? Anyone else want to fight me?"

The crowd disperses, leaving just the two brothers.

Luke turns to his brother, "Are you badly hurt?"

"I'm fine." The chubby boy seems a bit down.

Luke gets on his Harley, "Hop on."

The chubby boy sighs and gloomily sits on the back seat.

Luke starts the Harley and soon they return home.

Parking the bike in the yard, they don't go inside immediately.

Luke lights a cigarette, "Why were you fighting?"

The chubby boy rubs his cheek, wincing in pain, "That jerk harassed my girlfriend."

"Maggie?"

"Yeah, as her boyfriend, I had to stand up."

"Was he the one who hit you last time too?"

Jack doesn't answer.

Luke doesn't press further, knowing how teenagers are.

After finishing his cigarette, they head inside.

"Hi, dear Linda, I'm home." Luke enters the living room and sees his mom cooking, "Need help?"

"Your brother isn't back yet. I'm busy; call him."

"He's home, outside."

"Why isn't he coming in? No exams recently, right?"

"You should ask him yourself."

"You cook." Linda takes off her apron and tosses it aside, "Jack, come in."

Luke washes his hands and starts chopping vegetables.

The chubby boy walks in with his head down.

"Spill it. What did you do this time?" Linda's tone mixes anger and concern.

The chubby boy slowly lifts his head.

"Wow, what happened to your face? Why are you hurt again? Are you okay?" Linda's tone shifts from anger to worry.

"I'm fine, just a fight."

"You fought again? Why?"

"Uh...a classmate and I didn't get along, argued, and fought."

"I always thought you were different from Luke..." Linda goes to the bedroom, takes out a first aid kit, "Come here, I'll put some medicine on you."

While applying the medicine, Linda asks, "What exactly happened?"

"Nothing much."

"Jack, I know you're growing up and don't want to talk to me anymore. If that's the case, I'll have to call your dad to discipline you."

Luke's parents are divorced.

His father still pays alimony and child support, and they have a decent relationship.

"I'm already embarrassed enough. If you call dad over this, I'll lose even more face."

"You're injured and not listening to me. Your father has the right to know. I have no reason to hide it from him."

"You think I want to fight? He provoked me. I'm already stressed. Can you not make it worse?" The chubby boy chokes up and runs upstairs crying.

"Bam!" The door slams shut.

Linda complains, "Did you hear what he said? What does he mean by not making it worse? I'm worried about him."

Luke sighs, "How about I talk to him? After all, I've been through that age."

Linda takes over chopping vegetables, "Make sure he's down for dinner."

Luke goes upstairs, "Knock knock..."

"It's me. Open the door."

After a while, the door opens.

The chubby boy turns and goes back inside.

Luke pats his brother's shoulder, "Mom's just worried about you. Acting like this makes her feel worse."

The chubby boy rubs his eyes, "You think I shouldn't fight too?"

"I don't want you to fight.

But I know at your age, conflicts at school are inevitable. But I don't want my brother to be the one getting beaten up...it's embarrassing."

"You think I want this? I'm the one getting beaten; it's more embarrassing for me. He harassed my girlfriend. What can I do?"

Luke thinks for a moment, "I'll teach you how to fight."

"What?"

"If you get stronger and can fight, he won't dare bother you, and the problem will be solved."

"You're really willing to teach me?"

"Of course, but you have to promise me one thing."

"What condition?"

"Don't bully others.

But if someone bullies you, beat them up hard."

...

Half an hour later, the three of them sit at the dinner table.

Linda looks at her younger son, "Seems like you two had a good talk."

Luke shrugs, "It's settled."

"Tell me."

"I'll help Jack get in shape, so no one dares mess with him."

Linda sees her younger son's eager face and nods, "That's a good idea. He does need exercise."

"By the way, Mom, why did you want me here?"

"It wasn't me, it's your grandpa."

"What about Grandpa?"

"You haven't attended Family Day recently, and he's not happy.

He issued an ultimatum: if he doesn't see you soon, you'd better watch out."

"Oh..." Luke is still adjusting after his time travel and hasn't participated in Family Day. "I've been busy lately. I'll definitely go when things settle down."

"I've delivered the message. You deal with it." Linda looks at him as if saying, "Good luck."