Chapter 4

#Doorbell Rings#

Adam stands next to Leon anxiously waiting for an answer.

"Adam…"

"Keri…" The two of them try to remain pleasant and civilized, greeting one another.

"I told you, my name is Kim now. I'd prefer it if you would stick to it so that I have no more enemies knocking on my door".

"I'm sorry" Adam hangs his head with guilt.

"And who is this handsome young man?" Keri glances down at the boy standing beside him.

"I'm Leon" he gives her a shy smile.

"Come on in then!" She says. "You too" she encourages Adam through the door behind Leon.

"It's a nice place you got here" Adam glances around.

"Yeah, we're happy with it. Terrence also has two children, both around Chris' age. They come and stay with us on the weekend" She remarks, leading the two of them into a large kitchen.

"As long as the kids are happy…." Adam responds, surprised with himself at feeling ok with the situation.

"Look, I know that Chris is refusing to stay with you this time but give him some time to get to know you once he hears what it's like from his big sister. Remember he was only two when we divorced".

"Where is he now then?" Adam queries.

"He's out today with Terrence and the other kids".

"I see" he replies disappointed. "And Cherry?"

"Your daughter is excited to spend some time with you. But I warn you, she's starting to go off the rails."

"She's a teenager! You remember how bad Sammy used to be!" Adam laughs.

"Errr not this bad!... Good luck Adam!" She raises her eyebrows. "She's just packing her things together and should be downstairs in a minute. Can I offer you two a drink in the meantime?"

"I'll just have water, please" Adam answers.

"And what about you young man?" She asks.

"I'm ok thank you" he politely replies.

"Are you sure? I heard you and this old man here went on a long journey. I got soda, juice… my boy who's a bit older than you loves these!'' She opens the refrigerator, pointing at a tray of fruit shoots.

"Could I get one of these please?" Surprisingly he points towards one of the counters displaying an array of hot drinks.

"Are you sure you want a hot drink? It is the middle of summer!" Adam asks but Leon nods back with certainty on his face.

"Well I've never made a child a coffee before, but here's a decaf option…" Keri tries her best not to laugh.

"I didn't mean coffee that's grose!" Leon reacts, reaching for the Nestle box of hot chocolate mix behind the coffee. "If it's ok with you, please can I have one of these? It's my favourite and I haven't had any in almost 2 months" he politely asks. Keri's smile suddenly drops as she stares down at him with her eyes tearing up.

"Are you crying?" he innocently asks her. "I'm sorry I upset you, I can have the fruit shoot instead" the boy says, looking up at her with confusion.

"Ow I'm not crying!" She replies, forcing a smile and shrugging it off whilst wiping her eyes. "It's just, the pollen is very high over here this time of year it must have gotten to my eyes".

"Hey Leon, do you think you can take this box outside to the truck? I'll make some for us when we get home" Adam requests.

"Ok" he nods, taking his keys and the box outside.

"I'm sorry about that, there's only one other person I used to know who drank that in the Summer. He's just like her don't you think?" She wipes her eyes.

"Yeah" Adam quietly says.

"Daddy?!" They're conversation is interrupted as Cherry energetically bursts into the kitchen with loud earphones hanging from her ear on one side.. Her red curly locks, ripped jeans, trendy yellow t-shirt and bright makeup is flamboyant and edgy.

"How many times have I told you, take that nose ring out!" Her mother angrily orders.

"Mom, were you crying just now? Don't tell me you're gonna miss me all of a sudden!" Cherry smirks. "By the way, I'm getting a tattoo next year when I'm 16".

Adam instantly chokes, swallowing his water down the wrong hole. "Say what?" he asks.

"Not while you're living under this roof!" Her mother argues.

"Well the legal age in the state of Wood Oak with parental consent is 16 now - tell her dad!" Cherry insists.

"Yes… that's technically true and I'm happy you're studying the law but you're not getting my consent any day soon!"

"Are you serious?! I never get to do anything I want!" She huffs, crossing her arms in a mood.

"That's final! Your mother and I agree on this one and you're not getting a tattoo next year. When you turn 18 you can decide" he tries to compromise.

"Tattoos are dope! My dad has like 10..." An enthusiastic Leon returns inside hearing their conversation.

"Hey Leon! Good to see you, you got taller again!" Cherry greets him with a familiar smile, having met him once before.

"He's right! I remember Axel having some lit designs… didn't uncle Sammy get one done recently too?" Cherry intently gazes at her father.

"The difference between you and them is they're grown ass adults and you're not! When you turn 18 you can decide but for now that's the end of this discussion!" Adam firmly insists.

"Fine!" She huffs "my bags are in the hallway.." she signals that she is ready to leave.

"I'll see you around, Ker...Kim" Adam awkwardly says to his ex.

"Bye mom!" Cherry hastily says, rushing to pick up her two guitars off the ground.

"Woah, how many bags did you pack?!" Adam is surprised to see an array of suitcases lined up.

"5. I tried to fit all my clothes and I need to bring along all of my equipment".

"Equipment?" Adam questions, taking two of the suitcases whilst Leon wheels outside a third one.

"Yeah, for my music!"

"I have a good relationship with my neighbours that I don't intend on jeopardising…"

"It's ok, it ain't like they can call the cops on you or anything!" She jokes.

"Good luck!" Adam's ex wife smiles and waves them on as he is the last person of the three to step into the truck.

The previous few days have surprisingly run smooth with Adam enrolling Cherry at a new school, Leon back to a usual routine and work being quieter than usual.

"So, what did you two think of my new recipe?" Adam folds his arms, contently staring down at Leon's and Cherry's empty plates of food.

"That was yummy!" Leon grins.

"Thanks dad, that was great" Cherry smiles back at him "although next time you should take the pasta off the heat a couple of minutes earlier so it doesn't get floppy".

"Ok masterchef, next time you're cooking then! And tonight the dishes are on you!" Adam replies tossing his apron over towards her.

"Why are you so dressed up tonight? You got a date?" Cherry grins.

"No! Tonight is Max's big fight. Your Uncle Sammy is on the way…" he stops his sentence when he notices his cell phone ringing.

"...Hey I was just….. What?!... Ok I see. Call me when you get an update".

"What's wrong?" Cherry frowns.

Adam sighs "looks like I won't be going to the fight anymore. Sammy fractured his wrist whilst rollerblading off a building next to the skate park. He needs an emergency x-ray and won't make it here in time".

"Cool!" Cherry's face lights up with amusement.

"No it's not!" Adam huffs.

"You know if you still wanna go to the fight I could stay here and baby sit Leon…"

"I can look after myself!" The young boy interrupts.

"Yeah… sure kid…" Cherry says. "I'll do it for $20?" She raises her eyebrows.

"$10 plus the washing up" Adam negotiates.

"You got a deal!" She smirks.

The audience of the fighting arena are yelling 'Thunder' at the top of their lungs as Max maintains an unbeaten victory. The muscular wrestler holds up his fists in the air, owning the ring whilst the crowds celebrate the end of another intense match.

Mr and Ms Y have both discreetly observed from far back, impressed with Max's fighting ability and style.

"Mr Ricci, it's a pleasure to finally meet you" Ms Y shakes hands with Max's manager.

"What can I do for you?" He asks in a rush.

"I'm keen on hosting Max Hatchet for one of our upcoming events at Y Tower. Do you think you could make it happen?"

"Lady, we have a busy schedule over the next two months…"

"What if I could make it worth your while?" she replies by taking out her cheque book. "How does $50,000 sound to you? Of course you can finalize your percentage cut with Max" she offers, seeing his face tempted.

"I'll think about it…" He replies, taking her card.

On the other side of the arena, Max is escorted backstage as the crowds start to disperse home.

"You made it!" he warmly smiles, extending his hand forward to greet Adam.

"Of course, I wasn't gonna miss this! That fight was incredible!" He replies feeling impressed.

"All the training with zero distractions, diet, a new coach - it's all paid off. I feel alive in that ring".

"I can see that! And your fighting has jumped leaps and bounds. You could definitely give Ax a run for his money if he was your opponent" Adam complements.

"Speaking of which, how's he doing?" Max queries.

"I got the house for him ready when he returns in a few months. Leon is also staying with me for the rest of the school term, and Cherry is now living with me too" he smiles.

"That's great news! We all need a bit of luck in our lives. The past 9 years or so have been the hardest" Max contemplates.

"Amen! Good to see you Thunder" Adam smiles, patting him on the shoulder.

It's 2am when Adam finally returns home. He feels content and satisfied that he had some time to himself tonight. The evening completely flew by and he enjoyed the fight as well as catching up with his old friend.

As he opens the door, Adam is shocked to find a glass bottle rolled out in the hallway in front of his foot. He cautiously paces forward towards the living room area, concerned that someone may have broken in or worse… 'I knew I shouldn't have left' he thinks to himself.

As he enters the living room and switches the light on, he is shocked to witness four teenage strangers, two of which are laying across the L-shaped couch with the other two on the carpet with cushions behind their heads. He gasps with his mouth open, surprised and knowing that Cherry is behind all of this.

Adam then cautiously walks towards the kitchen noticing an array of drinks and snacks scattered across the table. "Quietly leave my house now!" He wakes up the 2 boys and 2 girls in the living room whom he has never met before. He only recognises their faces from Cherry's social media photos.

"I'm so sorry Mr Hunter, Cherry said you'd be ok with it…" one of the girls tries to apologise.

"What's the big deal? It was a lame house party anyway!" A teenage boy rises to his feet.

"You know what? I've changed my mind!" Adam says. "The four of you along with my wonderful daughter and whoever else is hiding upstairs can clean this place down from top to toe".

"Sir we got homes to go back to, plus our parents wont…."

"I don't give a fuck what your parents think! This is my house and you're staying until the mess you've made is cleared!" He glares down at them.

"Yeah, alright old man…" one of the boys smirks as he rises to his feet to leave.

"No you don't…!" Adam blockades him whilst holding up his police badge.

"You're a cop?!" The boy reacts surprised.

"No, I'm worse than a cop. So if you don't get your ass to work and clean this shit up, you're gonna regret it!" Adam's eyes pop out intensively.

"Yes Sir" the boy swallows his pride then gets straight onto cleaning.

Meanwhile, Adam silently walks upstairs wondering where Cherry is. First he quietly opens Leon's door. To his relief, the boy is fast asleep and unaware of what is going on.

Adam then takes a deep breath and walks further down the hall past his room, past the bathroom then finally towards Cherry's room. He hears music on the other side of the door so he knocks.

"Cherry? Cherry open up right now! You need to get your ass out here and explain what the hell is going on!" He tries to frantically turn the handle but the door is locked.

"Alright then" he sighs, removing a pin from his wallet before picking the lock.

"Shit!" Cherry reacts with her eyes wide open with worry as soon as her dad opens the door. To his fury, he witnesses a boy attempting to climb out of the window.

"No fucking way!" With rage, he leaps forward to grab the teenager by the shirt to stop him from falling and breaking his neck.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN MY DAUGHTER'S ROOM?" Adam holds him up off the floor with his hands gripping onto his collar.

"Daddy I can explain…" Cherry tries to intervene.

"Ohhh you have a lot of explaining to do young lady!" She has never witnessed her father this angry before.

"I'm sorry Mr Hunter…. We didn't get further than first base I swear!" The boy says as Cherry places her palm over her forehead feeling embarrassed.

"Is that why your camera is on record?" Adam picks up his cell phone whilst Cherry gasps feeling disappointed and angry that the boy she liked deceived her.

"How about we do a live, or one of those real things? Adam insists on still holding onto the boy with one hand and the phone with the other.

"It's actually called a reel Sir… I'm sorry, please just put me down now!"

He shakes his head, still navigating through the phone.

"Why don't we holla at all your friends right now watching this live?! Adam grins towards the camera as the boy looks on with horror.

"What are you doing man?!" The teen angrily answers.

"Your friends here are about to see your ass getting whooped!" Adam loosens his grip then the boy immediately runs as fast as he can sprint towards the hallway, grabbing his shirt off the ground as Adam kicks and chases him forward down the stairs then all the way out into the street.

"...And as you can see, this pussy couldn't run away fast enough. That's called Hunter parenting!" He grins and winks at the camera. Adam then stops the live recording, feeling amused with himself but still enraged with Cherry and her friends currently still cleaning up inside the house.