During dinner, Sanjay said, "Your mother and I were wondering if Suruli could spend part of the summer with us in India when he gets older."

"If he's ready," Amita said, not wanting to make any promises.

"It would be a great experience for him," Tapti said. "He'd meet relatives and see how India is like."

"I also want to take him, as well as Hugh, somewhere for the summer sometime," Alan piped up.

"I'm going to Costa Rica this summer," Hugh told Tapti and Sanjay.

"Amita told us," Tapti said. "You'll get to help out the local community and stay with a host family."

"Yeah," Hugh nodded. "And improve my Spanish."

"Maybe you could teach Suruli Spanish?" Sanjay suggested.

"Maybe," Hugh said politely.

"Sounds like a great idea," a familiar voice said. Charlie appeared in the dining room to everyone's surprise. He had a cast on his right arm.

"Charlie!" Amita ran up to hug him.

"Dad!" Hugh said.

"What happened to your arm?" Alan asked.

"I feel on a slippery floor," Charlie said. "But it's fine."

"I'll serve you some dinner," Alan got up.

"When did you get in?" Amita asked. "I could have picked you up."

"I wanted to surprise everyone," Charlie told her and sat down. "What's for dinner?"

" Lasagna," Amita replied. "Your dad made it."

"Sounds good." Charle smiled.

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The next day, Hugh's school called Charlie's cell phone.

"Your son got into a fight," the assistant headmaster said.

"A fight?" Charlie repeated.

"I'd like to talk with you in person."

"I'll be right there."

Once there, he first got the assistant headmaster's side. The latter, named Brian Bronson, led Charlie to his office.

"What was the fight about?"

"A girl."

"A girl?"

"According to witnesses, another boy accused him of flirting with his girl," Bronson began. "Then the fight happened. Your son will be given detention for five days. Since he's got a good record, I won't suspend him."

"What if my son was attacked? Doesn't he have a right to defend himself?" Charlie asked.

"Fighting is not allowed under any circumstances," Bronson said firmly. "We have a no tolerance policy of it at this school. The other boy's being punished as well."

"I see," Charlie reluctantly agreed. "Thank you."

Soon, he went to see Hugh, who sat sullenly on a chair.

"Let's go," Charlie said. "You can tell me your side of the story."

"It was that jerk's fault! I was just hanging out with my friends, when he comes up to me and accuses me of flirting with his bimbo girlfriend," Hugh began. "I just asked her about a homework assignment."

"And then?"

"He tried to punch me, but I sidestepped him and punched back. That's when we were stopped. What was I supposed to do? Be a punching bag?"

"You were trying to defend yourself," Charlie said. "I know what it's like to be picked on."

"What now?"

"The assistant headmaster just gave you detention for five days," Charlie said.

"Just?"

"It beats suspension because you wouldn't be able to make up your work," Charlie pointed out.

"Yeah..."

"I'll take you to work. You can do your homework in my office."

"Okay."

The following day, Amita asked, "Charlie, would it kill you to give Rose joint custody? Have you even asked Hugh what he wants?"

Reluctantly, Charlie did just that.

"How would you feel about living with your mother part time?"

"I'd like that," Hugh said. "I've been waiting to do that but mom wanted to get settled in her own place and have a decent job. Now she has."

"Has she brought it up?" Charlie asked.

"No."

"Wouldn't you miss being here?" Charlie asked.

"I would, but I miss living with my mom. For a long time it was just me and her. Not that I'm blaming you for that," Hugh told his father.

"Would it be difficult for you to move between two homes frequently?" Charlie asked.

"Not really. I'm good at remembering to bring the stuff I need," Hugh said happily. "It'd be the best of both worlds."

Looking into his son's eyes, Charlie made a fateful decision. "I'll talk to you mother about you living with her part time."

"Thanks dad!"

TBC