SEQ CHAPTER h r 1I received a very good question from Queen of Vegetasei regarding child labor laws. I realize that they vary slightly by state, so telling you I'm most familiar with NY laws might help. Also, if you're under the age of eighteen there are a certain number of hours you are legally able to work each week. For someone who needs to work full-time or hold multiple jobs, working off the books would be ideal. Since this was not made clear, Duo is working off the books, thus making it difficult to find new employment. Why in a meat packing plant? You can blamed Chris for that. XD
Disclaimer: As always and ever, not mine.
Warnings: Language
Control Freak IV
"You said that to your mother?!" Quatre asked in astonishment, dropping his pencil to the desk and abandoning his calculus homework.
"Yes," Heero reiterated, looking up from where he lay sprawled on his friend's floor, reading a news magazine. "Along with any number of other unpleasant things."
"You know, Heero, there were probably far more diplomatic ways to deal with that," the blonde chided, dropping down off his chair to sit beside the other boy. "While I understand your feelings, threatening to sue for parental divorce was a bit drastic."
He shrugged and idly turned a page in his magazine. "I'd win and they know it. They've been wasting my money for years now."
Quatre laughed and pulled the magazine out of his hands, shutting it firmly before setting it aside. "I know just how much that money means to you, Heero."
"It's the principal of the thing," he grinned. "Besides, who's to say I didn't have a sudden change of heart? College is fast approaching. Maybe I realized exactly what all the money means for my future."
"Oh, come off it. You're just sick of them trying to control you," Quatre scoffed, rising to his feet and absent-mindedly brushing off the back of his pants. He crossed the room to his violin stand an picked up the instrument and bow, preparing to play.
"Would you like to attend Miss Plinkley's School for Social Graces?"
"Point taken. So they've backed off, then?"
"Yeah. When they say money changes people, they weren't joking. Five years ago I would have been grounded for a lifetime if I'd dared speak to them like that." Heero rolled over onto his back and stared up at the ceiling, his face devoid of all expression.
"Five years ago you wouldn't have had to," Quatre said softly, playing a querulous note.
Heero went still and a sad smile spread across his face. "Isn't that the truth."
"You know they don't mean any harm, Heero."
"Yeah, but they also don't mean any good. I just wish they would get over it. Yes, money opens doors. All it's done between my parents and I, though, is close them."
"You know what they say-"
"If you say 'no door ever closes without a window opening' I'll kick you so hard you won't know what hit you." Heero spoke harshly, clearing signaling the end of that particular topic of conversation. Quatre paused momentarily in his tuning, then resumed where he had left off.
"Did you really kick him this afternoon?" he inquired, abruptly changing the subject.
"To the ground," Heero replied, easily following his friend's train of thought. He picked up the magazine from where Quatre had placed it and began leafing through it once again.
"I don't believe you."
"Come with me next time. I guarantee his face will still be bruised."
"You're taking far too much glee in this."
He sighed. "Actually, I feel guilty as hell." Suddenly losing interst in the magazine, he stood and started towards the door. "I'll see you at school tomorrow, Quatre."
"Don't you want to stay for dinner? We're having that chicken dish you like so much." He placed the violin back in the stand and started towards his friend.
"No, I have to go do something. I'll see you later." Heero walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
-end chapter iv part I-
A/N: Sorry it's so short, but I just moved and haven't had much free time! I'm trying to get something up once a week and this is all I could manage. The next part will be longer. Promise.