Chapter 3
Deb and Lucas stood silently at first unable to move or speak. They were too shocked to do anything but watch as an angry Dan manhandle a frightened Nathan and cringed as the boy struggled uneventfully against the stronger, taller male. Their eyes remained glued to the younger Scott while he gasped for breath as his father's forearm learned heavily against his throat preventing even the smallest hint of air from entering his lungs. The scene was one filled with extreme tension and hostility as those around two men and couldn't help but stop and stare at the drama unfolding before them.
"What the hell's the matter with you boy?" the man screamed at the top of his lungs.
"Dan please don't do this. Just let him go"
"You stay out of this" he warned the blond woman before turning his attention back to his son. "Are you trying to get yourself taken off the team? What are you stupid? Are you deliberately trying to ruin my reputation and everything that we've worked so hard for? ANSWER ME!" the father commanded momentarily forgetting that his brute force was making it impossibly for the boy to breath let alone talk.
Seeing the distress in the boy's eyes and the light shade of blue that was tinting his skin the man took a few steps back but kept a firm hold on the dark haired teenager's clothing. The minute his son was even remotely free the boy began gasping for air, breathing in all that he could as he winced at the burning sensation the sudden rush of oxygen had brought on. He then looked over to his mother whom of which had her arm around a shaken Lucas. He was hurt by the woman's concern for the bastard of Tree Hill but at least she said something, even though her words had no affect what so ever on her husband, it was still better then nothing.
"Well answer me boy!" commanded Dan as he took a threaten step forward.
Nathan didn't know how to respond to the man's question. Was he supposed to stand there and tell him that because of his mother's constant defending of Lucas that he was somewhat jealous? His father would kick his ass if he said that and probably call him a little girl and make him practice all night until he puked.
Too bad he didn't have enough time to think of a response because at that exact moment his father's fist made a connection with his face, sending him down to the hard ground below.
"You sick bastard. Leave him alone" he heard the blond haired boy yell. He thought that maybe he was hallucinating but his father's reply instantly put those fears to rest.
"Well, well, well if it isn't my favorite little mistake. You've finally decided to open your mouth to speak up for yourself like a man instead of hiding behind your mother's skirt. But tell me something son" the man said in a sarcastic tone that put his eldest son even more on edge. "I could be mistaken but if I left your mother alone, unmarried and pregnant, wouldn't that make you the bastard"
"You son of a bitch!" the boy shouted before taking a swing at his absentee father landing a right hook to the man's jaw.
The second Dan recovered he drew back his hand to strike the boy in front of him until someone took firm hold of his arm.
"Deb take the boys inside, now" commanded Karen as she gave Dan a look that dared him to move or to retaliate against her.
"Who the hell to you think you are?" snapped Dan as he roughly pulled away from the café owner.
"I could ask you the same question but I won't because it's quite obvious that you're out here being an ass like always. Not only are you being a complete jerk but you're also out here abusing your son and agitating Lucas like some tenth grade bully"
"Hey, you may be all nice and friendly with Deb now but my family matters are none of your concern. And as far as Lucas is concerned you need to tell him to mind his won damn business and stop picking fights with our...my boy" the man said quickly trying to cover up his error.
"You have got to be kidding me Dan. We both know that's it's Nathan second nature to verbally and physically attack Lucas every chance he gets which is clearly an inherited trait. And as far as your family business being none of my business you're right Dan. Just make sure the next time you want to show your son the monster that you truly are try not to do your dirty little deeds in front of my café. Now get out of here before I call the police"
"Fine but know this" he said getting as he moved to stand toe to toe with the woman. "If Lucas ever puts his hands on me again, I will be forced to take drastic measures"
"And if you lay one hand on my son, you won't be the only one forced to take drastic measures. Now get the hell off my property Dan" replied Karen as the father of her son stood in front of her speechless for a few seconds before giving her that creepy and less then calming smile of his and walking away.
Inside the café Nathan, Lucas and Deb sat at a table watching the exchange outside wondering what was being said and hoping that both Dan and Karen would keep their tempers in check and not come to blows. The group immediately breathed a sigh of relieve when the bane of their existence left and the woman entered the café.
"Hey how did it go?"
"As well as could be expected with Dan" said Karen as she took a seat next to her business partner.
"Oh my God is everything ok?" questioned Haley as she entered the café. "I saw everything as I was coming up the street. Are you guys alright?"
"Yeah we're fine Hales, there's nothing to worry about" replied Lucas as he took a sip of tea.
"Yes everything is fine as far as that rather nasty situation goes but not so much so for your friend here" replied the boy's mother.
Lucas slumped down in his chair a little at the tone of his mother's voice. He knew she wasn't going to happy with him but he hoped that this latest bout with Dan would change her mind and force her to go a little easier on him. But like everything else in his life things just weren't going the way he had intended.
"What are you smiling about Nathan?" questioned Deb. "You're in just as much trouble as Luke is, if not more so seeing as how you started the whole thing"
"Mom" whined Nathan as his moment of amusement came to an abrupt end.
"But Mom nothing" replied Deb. "You have been attacking your brother for months now and it's time for all this nonsense to come to an end"
"Look boys" added Karen. "I know that this situation hasn't been easy on you but that does not mean that you get to lash out in this destructive manner that will only end with one of you, if not both of you being seriously injured over something that neither one of you are to blame for"
"So you two are going to learn how to get along with each other and there is no room for discussion on the subject" the blond haired woman said gaining a nod of approval from Karen. "I think that since you two love to create such messy situations for yourselves as well as each other I think that it would be a good idea to have the two of you clean up for a few of our friends and elderly neighbors. Together for let's say…" she trailed off as she looked in her friend's direction.
"For as long as you insist upon killing one another"
"Oh Mom you've got to be kidding me"
"No Lucas I'm not" said both Karen and Deb as they looked at each other in confusion.
Deb hadn't meant to answer but it felt so good, so comfortable to be around her son she had forgotten that only she knew that little tid bit of information.
"Sorry Karen" she said as her face grew slightly red.
"Gees you two have been around each other way too long" replied Lucas as he rolled his eyes and smiled playfully.
"You're not really going to do this to me, are you Mom? I mean this guy is a robot. I've seen pieces of fruit with more personality and besides he's been trying to take my spot for months and…"
"And he just saved you from getting the crap beat out of you by your father Nathan. So I think you owe Lucas a thank you at the very least" shouted Deb as she lost what little hold she had on her temper.
"I would have been able to handle it myself if he hadn't stuck his nose in my business"
"It's ok Deb" interrupted Lucas not really wanting to be the cause of the mother and son's second fight of the day. "I don't want or need his gratitude"
The woman smiled at him weakly before continuing "Alright boy's since you're both here there's no time like the present to get started"
"What are you talking about Mom?"
"Well the storage room is a total wreak and neither Karen nor myself has had the time to clean it out"
"Besides" Karen spoke "The boxes are very heavy and we couldn't lift them even if we did have the time. So Lucas you can lead Nathan to the back room and two can get started on operations Kill"
"What?" questioned both boys.
"Meaning that this is either going to work or we're going to kill you. Got it"
Both boys nodded to the women before making a quick exit and heading to the back room.
"This should be interesting" remarked Deb as she took her position behind the counter.
"Yeah let's just hope they don't beat each other to death"
"You never know this could be just what they need to become real brothers"
"Yeah and they could solve a mystery and uncover some amazing secrets together making them the new Hardy Boys"
Deb froze for a second at her friend's words before replaying "Yeah maybe they will"
