Author's note: I want to give a shout-out to Data Girl 3 for being the first to notice that there was any significance to the Range Rover in chapters 9 & 10 at all.
It came a surprise to everyone when the large green Range Rover pulled up outside the Life Café. Mark paled, grabbing Roger's arm. "Roger, that's it!" he hissed. "That's the car that hit us!" Roger spun to look at it. The driver stepped out, and Roger did a double-take. He turned to Mark. "Are you sure that's the same car?" Mark nodded. "Yeah. Why?" Roger took a deep breath. "Because…because I think that's my dad."
Mark was speechless. He watched Roger's face register several emotions at once, before settling on shock and anger. He stood, but then sat back down. "Forget it. If that son of a bitch doesn't want anything to do with me, that's his problem." Maureen nodded. "He's so not worth your time."
Roger's father, however, chose that moment to walk past. Like Roger, he did a double-take. "What the…" He stared at Roger for what seemed like ages. Roger clenched his fist, trying to ignore him, but after almost a minute, his patience wore thin. He slammed his hand onto the table, causing everyone to jump. "Will you stop staring at me like I'm some sort of goddamn freak?" His father blinked several times. 'I'm sorry, it's just…you look exactly like I did at your age. You'll be…what? Nineteen? Twenty?" Roger frowned. "I'm seventeen. And why would you care, anyway?" His father frowned. "You're Charlene's boy?" Roger nodded. "Not by choice." His father nodded. "Charlene mentioned having a son. She said were a troublemaker by nature. I see she was wrong, as usual. I'm your dad, Roger." Roger shrugged. "Actually, I don't have a dad. Nor is that bitch my mother. I choose not to have a family." His father nodded. "Roger, I realize I haven't been around much…" What was left of Roger's patience snapped. "'Haven't been around much'? Try not at all! Never in my life have you bothered to find out that you even had a son!" Mark placed a hand on Roger's shoulder. "Rog, maybe you should…" Roger shoved Mark's hand aside, continuing, his voice rising slightly in volume, but never wavering. "Furthermore, you piece of shit, even if I was to claim a family, you would not be included in a million years! You killed my girlfriend, you fuck!"
Silence ensued. Roger glared darkly at his father, who looked stunned. Maureen stared, instantly sober, absently pulling Mark close. Mark clenched his fists, clearly shaken. The entire café had gone silent and tense, watching the exchange warily. Finally, Roger's father cleared his throat. "Roger, I realize you're still deeply hurt from that loss, and of course you're in shock from my arrival, but I want to help you deal with that. I know Charlene isn't the best mother, but…" Roger's glare darkened. "She's a better damn parent than you've ever been for me. At least she has the decency to admit when she's wrong." His father made an attempt to look stern. "Roger, let me say something. That accident was not my fault. That girlfriend of yours, she pulled in front of me. She was probably drunk or something."
Roger snapped. "His fist was flying before he knew what he was doing, and his father went down. "You fucking asshole! You killed her! You sick fuck, you almost killed my best friend! At least have the decency to admit what you did!" Roger continued to attack his father, tears of rage streaming down his face. Finally, someone grabbed his should. He turned, ready to lash out and rip someone's head off, but froze as he looked into April's eyes. "Roger!" she hissed softly. "He's not worth it! Stop!" Roger turned away, fuming. "Fine. Let's get out of here." He turned back to his father. "I don't ever want to see you again. Don't speak to me. Don't call me, and don't write to me. If you even look at me, I'll…" He let his thinly veiled threat hang. April took his hand. "Come on."
Once outside, Maureen took a stunned Mark home, leaving Roger with April. She embraced him, tentatively, and was surprised when he accepted it. He glanced up at her, his face streaked with tears. April chanced a small, nervous laugh. "Maybe you shouldn't bottle up all that anger. It's not healthy, and you could kill someone someday." Roger's expression was hard to read, and April took an involuntary step back. Roger, to her surprise, however, began to laugh. "You know, you have a good point. I've never lost control like that. I just…" he smiled. "Some first date, huh?" he added, sarcastically. April grinned. "If that's your idea of a first date, I can't wait for the second!"