June twenty-fifth, nineteen ninety-nine, six pm, Pete and Max enter the car and start for home.

"I still can't believe you're finally out of high-school." Pete said as they drove down the road.

"I know right. For a while it felt like they'd have me locked up in there for ever but now that I'm done it looks like I'll be able to work full-time around the lot."

"Actually, about that, for now you're still lined up to run the lot when I'm gone but with PJ getting out of jail soon with no prospects for life I'd been thinking." Pete said hesitantly before stopping to read how Max was taking this. "Maybe we could give him a second chance to earn the family business."

"But I've worked for this my whole life. I don't have any plans outside of it." Max shakily pleaded as he tried to hold back the wrath fear and sorrow he felt.

"Nothings written in stone yet and if it does work out by the end of summer I'll gladly put you through college. It's just that PJ doesn't have anything else going for him and I don't want to see either of you on the streets."

"But it's not fair. PJ hardly even visited the lot let alone worked there and cars are the only thing I know. I'm about to have a wife, and after that kids. I can't afford to be static for a couple years in college." Max begged as tears began to well up in his eyes.

"You'll still be able to earn at the lot between classes and I haven't even seen if PJ will be cut out for the job though he did seem eager to try. Until PJ gets out in a couple weeks and we see if it'll work the lot's still yours, I'm just saying that you may want to plan for an alternative future." Pete said, clearly trying to reassure Max.

At that last statement Max's expression changed from one of fear and anger to one of calm, grim determination as he realized it was time for solo ownership. "I'm afraid I can't let that happen, sir." Max said coldly.

"HA! And what are you gonna do about it Mr. serious?" Pete laughed out in pure amusement.

"This." Max said without raising his voice as he jammed a large shard of glass, he'd been keeping in his pocket for a situation such as this, deep into Pete's enormous chest, wrested control of the vehicle, and ramed