Chapter 19
The next week in the afternoon Adrien, Luka and Ivan took their sons to the park to spend the time together and do something in communaly. Luka, Rouven, and Cody stood on the left side of the basketball field, while Adrien along with Ivan and Elliot, were in the opposite direction.
Rouven ran with the ball with Elliot running behind him, then Rouven encountered Adrien, who was in Elliot's team along with Ivan, which stood back on the other field. Rouven stopped, then looked up at the chest, which was blocked by Adrien, afterward Rouven threw the ball up above Adrien's head watching it hit the basket on the side and fall down on the ground. Adrien took the ball, then raced along the field and got followed by Luka and Cody, which tried to block the man from getting close to their side. Adrien threw it at Ivan, which stopped to aim at the basket and managed to score a goal easily.
"5-3!" Chanted Adrien, then Elliot held his hand up to high five his father and walked back along with Ivan to their area, then watched Cody pick up the ball and pass it towards Rouven, who ran along the field as Elliot ran behind him and vice versa their dads ran beside each other to follow the boys.
Rouven jumped in the air followed by Elliot, managing to take the ball off his friend's hands, afterward Luka managed to grab the ball and threw it against the basket to score a point for his team.
"4-5!" Yelled Luka, then Rouven ran towards his father to headbump him into his belly making him twitch while releasing a small snicker. "Woah buddy, not there,"
" Only one point and we're equal," Stated Rouven, then looked back to see Adrien throw the ball farther for Elliot to catch and race past Cody to meet Ivan Bruel standing near the goal. Elliot handed the ball over to the tall man, which threw the ball against the board watching it enter into the loop making him raise his hand in victory.
"6-4!" Shouted Elliot raising his hands in the air, then got to the middle of the field to meet Rouven, which stood beside his friend ready to receive the ball from Cody. Elliot managed to take away the ball from Rouven, which was elbowed on his chest and fell down on the ground and growled. Rouven got up to pursue his friend, which passed to his father, that threw the ball against the basket from the side scoring for his team.
"7-4!" Announced Ivan earning a thumb up from the blonde, which watched Ivan grab the ball to hand it out to his son, which passed it to Luka and he ran along the field, followed by Adrien. Rouven and Elliot stood near the basket waiting for Luka, which looked at the two boys and stopped while getting blocked by Adrien. Luka heard Rouven call him to get the ball, afterward Luka handed the ball back to Cody, which had run to the middle along with his father, thereafter he threw the ball towards Rouven and Elliot, which shove each other away trying to get the ball first. Elliot managed to get the ball first, then throw it immediately against the basket, only to have it hit the loop on the front, making the blonde frown. Rouven took the ball and raced back, then Cody followed his friend, waving at him to announce his presence. Afterward, Rouven threw the ball at Cody watching him jump to catch the ball. After his landing Cody had one of the shoelaces open and as he departed to race nearer to the goal he tripped and fell down on his face.
" Woah!" Shrieked Rouven stopping, then watched Cody begin to cry and Ivan ran towards his son along with Adrien to help him sit up. Both noticed Cody has a graze on his face.
" Papi!" Cried Cody, then Ivan picked him up and Adrien looked at the boy's cheek to see it was abrased, then glimpsed at Ivan.
"Let's head to the restrooms at the center. I need to wash my hands and carefully clean his wound with water and soap," Adrien suggested making Ivan nod, which walked off together leaving Luka back with the other boys.
" Alright boys, shall we continue to play, or do you want to do something else?" Questioned Luka, then Rouven pointed at the playground, which at the moment didn't have many children playing there at the moment. "Okay,"
" Hey Elliot, the big swing is free, let's get there," Asked Rouven, then Elliot ran off, followed by Rouven leaving Luka back, which grinned.
"Hey boys, be careful while running," Warned the father seeing Elliot arriving first at the swing to hold it on the side, and watched Rouven jump on top of the net and helped Elliot climb into it.
Luka stood by the boys, which sat down on the swing as they looked at each other glad about having mounted the swing.
"Dad, can you push us?" Asked Rouven making Luka smile, then before he did that he took out his smartphone and opened his camera to take an image.
"Come boys, I'm going to take a picture of you," Asked Luka watching Rouven turn around to his father, while Elliot looked from beside his friend at the man, so he would take a picture of the two. " Say cheese!"
"Cheese!"
Luka captured the moment, then took his smartphone back and placed his hands on the swing, watching the boys adjust themselves on the net.
"Go dad!" Shouted Rouven, then Luka pushed the swing forwards and waited for it to swing back, so he could push it again and admire the two boys having joy together up on it.
At the salon of Juleka and Rose, both women were taking care of a customer. While Rose was doing the pedicure of the woman, Juleka was coloring the hair of the woman. By a corner, where children could play Eireen was playing along with Nathalie Kurtzberg and their classmate Ruby Langerak.
" Weren't you in the same class as Wayhem?" Questioned Rose, who had been filing one of the fingernails of the foot. "I knew somebody with the same name,"
"Yes, that was me. Ruby's dad and I are siblings. He's about 9 years older than me," Explained the woman, that was sitting on the chair.
Behind Juleka passed Jean Duparc guiding a woman towards a chair beside the woman, then offered her to sit down and took the coat to place it around the woman.
"How short would you like it? I suggest to have at least not more than this, cause you're natural hairstyle has locks," Spoke Jean looking at the mirror, where the man demonstrated the amount of length they shouldn't trespass.
" I would say 5 to 6 centimeters are just about right," Responded the client making Jean nod, afterward he opened a narrow shelf door to take out a cart, which contained all the materials needed to cut the hair, and looked at the door to see a woman enter into the place along with a boy, then Jean waved at the moment.
"Good afternoon, how can I help?" Questioned the brunette man watching the woman approach the man with her son.
" I'd like my son to have a new haircut," Asked the woman making Jean nod.
"Sure, take a seat. Our fourth member will be back in a moment," Answered Jean making the woman nod, which walked towards a couch, which was on the other side of the room. The boy pointed at the playing girls, then his mother placed her hand on her boy's shoulder shaking her head.
"It's your turn later. You won't have a lot of time," Mentioned the mother making the boy nod. Rose, which looked at the boy looked up at Jean, which was preparing his utensils.
"Are you sure Marc can deal with the boy?" Questioned Rose making Jean nod.
"Of course. The other two were kindergartners. It's not as easy as it seems to deal with such balls of energies, mostly when you're afraid to cause them harm by accident," Jean commented. "He can do this one well, don't worry,"
" Sure," Commented Rose, then heard the door open up again and looked at it, expecting to see the raven-haired co-worker, but instead it was Lila Kurtzberg who came in. "Oh, it's Lila!"
" Hello," Greeted Lila entering the building, then noticed Jean glimpse at her in confusion.
"What is that mark on your forehead? From the accident?" Asked Jean.
"The house was assaulted and she was threatened by one of the bad guys," Mentioned Juleka making Lila nod.
"Exactly, but everything is okay now. No one got hurt or well, not really hurt," Mentioned Lila making Jean nod.
"Nathalie told me, that Mrs. Kurtzberg was saved by Super Nathan, is that true?" Asked Ruby looking at the raven-haired woman, which blushed a little embarrassed.
"He's a pretty cool guy. When he showed up to check on us I could see in his eyes something. Something really familiar. As if I had looked into those eyes before," Explained Lila making Jean nod and Rose had an idea and looked at her friend.
"What was the exact eye color of Super Nathan?" Questioned Rose.
" It was blue. Light blue," Responded Lila.
"And who do you else know, has blue eyes?" Questioned Rose watching Lila ponder about it.
" Oh now, that you ask that. I can't recall anyone at the moment with blue eyes," Confessed the Italian woman. " Besides you, maybe,"
"What about Nathaniel or Luka for example?" Questioned Rose making Lila shrug.
"I haven't paid attention to their eyes, to be honest," Said Lila, thereafter her daughter came to give her mother a hug.
"Hi mama," Greeted Nathalie leaning her forehead on her mother's for affection.
" It's so good, that Lila finally remembers her daughter," Commented Juleka making Rose nod.
"She has remembered a few persons and some details about them, that's currently the best thing that can go on with her," Stated Rose making Juleka nod. "She's going to make that Jule. I promise," Rose gushed making Lila tilt her head, as she looked at the blonde girl and got closer to her.
"Rose… ..you're Rose…. You had offered me your friendship after I had revealed my lies including the ones about Prince Ali," Lila mentioned making Rose jump and ran into the arms of the two Kurtzberg women.
"You finally remembered me!" Cried Rose making Lila smile and embrace the blonde woman as well.
"I believe I do remember your friend Juleka. She was according to you, your childhood friend and you both were always spending time together no matter what," Commented Lila making Rose nod.
"Exactly, Lila," Rose added.
" I gotta add this to the journal I kept at home. I think I should start to go out even more and take it as well. You never know what things I will be able to remember while I am out," Commented Lila and behind them, the door was smashed back, showing a panicked Marc Anciel running into the salon to get behind Jean.
"What's going on?" Asked Jean looking at Marc, which had a dark-purple eye revealing the possibility, that he was in a fight.
" Please lock the door. Two men are coming after me," Warned Marc, then Jean looked at Rose, which made her way towards the door to lock it.
"What is going on?" Questioned the mother, who had entered with her song a little while ago. "Are we safe here?"
"The door is locked for now. Otherwise, we can contact the police if it is required," Said Jean, then looked at Marc, which stared at Rose, that looked through the large window, which has partially covered by a vinyl with the slogan of their salon. "What happened to you, by the way? Was it an…...act of stupidity?" Questioned Jean making Marc nod.
" Some guy out there knew me from Facestargram as an LGBT activist and punched me along with his friend ," Explained Marc. "I ran off, cause I couldn't defend myself on my own,"
" Shall I call the police?" Asked Jean, then heard Rose gasp as a stranger man appeared knocking on the salon window harshly. "Is it that guy?" Asked Jean watching a second man appear to race against the door, figuring out it was closed, then tried to open it by racing with his elbow against it. " Alright, I'll call the police!" Mentioned Jean picking out the smartphone, while Rose grabbed Lila and Nathalie by their arms to lead them to the kids' corner and the mother with the boy went to the corner as well.
"Shall I keep doing the job?" Asked Juleka making Rose shake her head, then Juleka helped the woman get up, followed by Marc to retrieve her to the kids' corner.
"What do you plan to do if they make it in here?" Questioned Lila making Rose shrug her shoulders.
"I don't know, I'm not a superhero," Mentioned Rose making Lila nod.
"Good point," Spoke Lila giving Juleka an idea.
"What would Honey Bee do?" Questioned Juleka making Rose sad knowing if she had the miraculous, she could have scared the boys away. Rose had an idea, then took out her smartphone to open her Facestargram account and set herself on live. Rose moved the camera towards the guys to show them punching hard with their fists on the glass.
" Hi, I hope if someone or even a superhero is in the near to come and help us. We don't know, what these two guys want, but they seem violent. Please we have kids here as well," Warned Rose turning the camera back to the children, then the foreign boy waved at the camera making the mother frown and pull his arm down. " I hope this helps," Commented Rose making Lila bewildered.
"Did you ever do this before?" Questioned Lila making Rose shake her head.
"Nope, but we got a chance it will,"
"You're joking, aren't you?" Asked Lila making Rose shake her head.
Jean moved his cart away, then approached the group to inform them about his phone call.
"A patrol is on their way. Flee into the side room," Asked Jean, then Juleka led the kids along with the boy's mother, and Jean stood back along with Marc, Lila, and Rose.
"We have to go too," Suggested Rose making Lila shake her head.
"No, we have the right to be here. No one dares to break into my friend's store," Spoke Lila making Jean nod.
"With you three I feel now like we can stop them together," Stated Marc smiling a little relieved, then watched the brunette man shake his head.
"We're not gonna use violence," Warned Jean.
"I don't think these guys are gonna agree with that," Stated Lila making Marc nod.
" If this really is gonna happen, how are you planning to fight them?" Questioned Marc making Lila smirk.
"I practiced Penkac Silat when I was younger…..Well, this is now years ago and I don't remember when it was the last time I kicked someone's butt,"
"I wanted to learn Capoeira once until I figured out it wasn't only about dancing," Commented Marc. "Perhaps I should have stayed. Would have spared me this situation and the last one,"
"Why did you get into this fight again?" Questioned Lila making Marc groan.
"It wasn't me. They punched me because according to them I'm sick. They're just a bunch of homophobes, that have the need to put others down because of different preferences or anything alike,"
" Oh sorry, I had no idea you had another preference," Confessed Lila making Marc furrow his eyebrows confused.
"You didn't?" Questioned Marc, then Rose whispered into his ear making Marc widen his eyes, understanding it. "Oh, I had no idea. Since when?" Questioned Marc, afterward one of the guys from the outside broke the window with a sidewalk's broken brick causing the entire window to fall into pieces and both jumped into the salon.
" Let's get out of here!" Ordered Rose grabbing Lila and Marc by their arms, but Lila shook her head.
"I'm not going to stand back helpless like last time. Sure they had weapons on that night, but this is different," Announced Lila, then watched Jean shove the cart with force against the guys, which blocked the cart by kicking it to fall aside dropping a few drawers open slightly.
" This was it?" Questioned the man with an accent looking around the salon. "How embarassing, working in a place like this," Spoke the man making Marc frown.
" At least I have a job," Added Marc making the man laugh.
"Your fault. We at least have a better way to get our money to not end up in a disgrace as you do," Spoke the man making Marc frown, then Jean placed his hand in front of Marc to speak at the thugs.
"What's so great at your job? Let me guess…..your mommy and daddy are rich and you're their spoilt, little babies. Am I right?" Asked Jean making the boys laugh loud.
"I think they're one of those refugees, that are only here to get the profit. You know like Karma, who had joined us a year after the salon opened," Guessed Marc.
"Why should I work my entire life, if I have this chance?" Questioned the man earning a nod from his friend.
"Yes. Why should I be doing something I don't want to in the first place?" Questioned the second guy.
"Perhaps, people wouldn't be bad-mouthing about your people, if people like you wouldn't be abusing as you from the state for money without even needing to pay it back!"
"You're just like any other French guy my cousin warned me about. A racist pig," Complained the first man, then kicked on the cart, shoving it against Marc, which almost was hit, but he jumped over it.
"Whoa!"
" Get out of here!" Yelled Rose pulling Lila with her, then looked at the lights in her salon turn off, followed by the noise of the electricity box. "Where are the lights?" Asked Rose, then watched beside the mirror in front of the hairstyling chair a small, blue electronic light glid above the plug, and out of it shouted a bolt, shrieking the people inside the room and the bolt had materialized itself back into the superheroine Ryuko. The superheroine made a barrel roll to put down the two young men on the ground and earned a smile from Marc, while Jean was astonished by it.
" Yay, it's Ryuko!" Clapped Rose standing by the door of the office along with Lila, which looked at the two men on the ground.
" I need someone to call the police," Asked Ryuko making Jean give a thumb up.
"They're already on the way," Stated Jean looking at the counter by the mirrors and picked up the hairdryer and used its cable to tie the hands of one of the bad guys. " I could use a few more to tie these guys up until the police arrives,"
"You don't have to worry, I'll be waiting with you until they arrive," Assured Ryuko, then Rose came closer to give the heroine her hand.
" Thanks for showing up. If you hadn't come earlier this would have turned into a big mess," Commented Rose looking back at Juleka, which was talking to Marc, and beside them stood Lila holding her daughter by the shoulders looking at the center of the salon.
The fathers were walking along with their boys along the park after they had have enough of playing. By a roundabout, which connected the paths of the park was a group of teenagers playing as a band on their instruments while in front of them was another teenager filming them with his smartphone.
Cody grabbed on his father's jacket to point at the garage kids playing on the instruments making the French man smile.
" We started like that too, besides we played back at Luka's mother's house," Commented Ivan making his son nod.
The group stood by the teens watching them play and were noticed by the lead guitarist, which smiled at the group, then got closed to the boys to show the young ones how he was playing the guitar.
Rouven and Cody clapped in rhythm with the guitarist, making the teen smile and end the song they had been playing.
"Welcome to the show," Greeted the teen. "Ever seen someone play the guitar as good as me?" He questioned making Cody nod.
"My dad also plays the guitar, but better," Commented Rouven making the teen's group mates snicker.
" Oh really?" Asked the young man looking up at the adults, then Luka placed his arms on Rouven's shoulder.
"You don't have to brag about it," Spoke Luka making Rouven nod.
" You play guitar as well?" Questioned the teen making Luka nod.
" Started at a very young age, when I received my very first guitar," Commented Luka, then the teen borrowed him the guitar. "Any of you talented as well?" Questioned the young man making the other dads nod.
" I'm a drummer and Adrien over here knows how to play the piano," Mentioned Ivan, then the guitarist looked back at his friend, who sat behind the drums, then rolled his eyes telling him to give Ivan the sticks, so he could as well show the teens their competence.
"What song are you all interested in?" Questioned Luka watching the teenager think about it.
" That one rock song from the last Eurovision winners," Answered the teen. "Do you all know that?" Questioned the boy making the two adults nod.
"Yep, in three we will start," Announced Luka, then Ivan counted down by hitting the sticks on each other, after reaching the one he began along with the group to play their instruments. The one teen with the camera continued to record the group playing together and fewer people gathered around to see them playing. The cameraman gave his friend an okay sign with his thumb and index finger earning a nod from the colleague, which watched the band play together harmonically as if they had been practicing together since ever.
Elliot exchanged looks with his father, which smiled at his son and looked back at the players to see them playing the song of the Italian band. Cody grabbed Adrien by his arm, then made with his hands the sign of photographing making Adrien nod and take out his smartphone to record the band playing together.
Behind the crew appeared Emilie Agreste coming along with her daughter Hope, who had been carrying in her arms the last remaining Labrador cub of Shiryoku. Behind her Gabriel carried the leash in his hand, following the loud music to spot the band playing, then Gabriel recognized Luka in the band.
"Many men do really enjoy that sort of music," Commented Gabriel looking at his wife, afterward Hope pointed at Adrien, which was admiring the scene and she moved forward along with Emilie to greet their family member.
"Have you been here this time?" Questioned Emilie curious making Adrien shake his head.
"Just about a minute ago more or less," Answered Adrien watching Luka with his guitar go into mid-breaks with the strings. "The kids along with him and Ivan got in sync really well. They just met and were able to perform like this,"
" Cool," Commented Hope, then showed Adrien the puppy, which sniffed Adrien on the face and Adrien grabbed the puppy to put him down and Gabriel placed the leash by the collar of the dog, then watched the dog approach the band to look at them playing. As the guitar solo went calmer, the puppy began to wag his tail joyfully from seeing the Frenchman play.
Adrien grinned from seeing the puppy enjoy Luka's solo, then the raven-haired man looked down at the puppy with a smile and got down on his knees. The puppy got closer to the man to sniff the guitar, while Luka plucked the strings on the instrument.
The teenager, who had been filming moved the smartphone camera down at Luka amusing the little retriever, which gave out little barks signaling interest in the melody of the group.
The band was done with their play and earned a small applause from the people, that stood around them. The original owner of the guitar was clapping as well, then held his hand out at Luka, so both would give each other a high five.
"You're pretty good, man," Complimented the teenager. "What's your name?"
"Luka,"
"Cool," Replied the boy, then looked down at the puppy picking up the scent of Luka's shoes, thereafter the man got down to pick up the puppy and held him close to him.
"You must be one of the puppies Adrien told me about," Commented Luka, and the puppy licked the man on the nose.
"Where did that dog come from?" Asked Cody, then Rouven came to look at the puppy along with Elliot.
"Weren't there more?" Asked Rouven making Elliot nod.
"All have found a new home. He still hasn't," Elliot answered making Rouven nod, then he patted the puppy on his back.
"Can we keep him?" Questioned Rouven looking at his father, which looked down at his son.
"The puppy?" Asked Luka earning a nod from the boy. " I'd love to say yes, but at the moment in our apartment dogs aren't allowed," Responded Luka, then Rouven sighed along with Elliot as the idea had fallen to water.
" Man, that would have been cool," Spoke Rouven making Luka nod. Luka suddenly remembered another option and looked at the puppy.
"Wait…..I think I have an idea. Mama Anarka has been thinking the whole time about going to the gym but doesn't have the motivation to go there. Having the dog to walk with her every day would help her perform the fitness she wished to have. And as we occasionally visit her, we'll be able to see him and play with him as well or walk him. If she likes the idea, that would be good for all of us, "
" That would be a nice idea. If she's got enough time to take care of him,"
"She does. She works after all on the ships and she knows a few mates, that have their own pets with them. I've seen this a few times on advertisements of the truckers," Explained Luka making Adrien nod.
"Will you name him already or…,"
"Uh…..we will wait," Mentioned Luka making the blonde nod. "We'll see after the time is right,"