A few hours later both Nick and Judy arrived back at the apartment.
"Nick may I come in?" Judy asked. "I think we should talk."
"Yeah sure Carrots."
Nick opened the door and they both stepped inside.
"So Nick, what happened today was really scary, for the both of us" Judy said. "But as bad as everything seemed at the time, I still don't think you should have gave in to him."
"What else was I meant to do? I mean it's not like I could fight three mammals, whilst being held back. Besides if I didn't they may have hurt you and I couldn't stand it if you got hurt because of my troubles."
Judy put an arm around Nick. "Look Nick, I need you to be honest with me here now. Do you really think that if you give your dad the money, he'll just take it, leave and never bother you again?"
Nick shrugged "I guess so, I mean I'm not sure what he'll do, I just thought, It would best to hope he'd go away if I do give him what he wants."
"And if he doesn't? What if he just keeps coming back wanting more? Using more threats, doing things worse than choking you and trashing your place up? Meeting him today, I can see he's the type who would stoop as low as you can get to get what he wants. Besides getting that much money is just two weeks is gonna be impossible."
"I could get a loan." Nick suggested
"And what? Be stuck paying it all of, you could get stuck in debt Nick and it can ruin your life, and you shouldn't have to do that because of the one who is suppose to be your father."
"I just really don't know what I should do. I can't stand up to him at least not for long, I either end up getting scared when he chokes me or like today he got his friends to stop me."
"Which wasn't your fault, look Nick I know that you think getting the money is the easiest thing to do, and I think anyone in your situation would. But I know that he will want more afterwards, you need to tell him you will not give him the money and let him know your not scared of him."
"But I am scared of him, and he knows it too no matter how hard I try not to let it show. "
"Well even if you are scared, it doesn't mean you can't be brave and stand up to him. Being brave doesn't mean you're not scared, It's doing the right thing no matter how scared you are "
Nick looked at Judy but didn't say anything to her.
"Nick I promise that I will be there for you. Tell you what, why don't we practice a bit? "
"Practice?" Nick asked confused.
"Yeah I mean, you can practice what you want to say on me, and you can also take a self defense class to defend yourself if your dad attacks you."
"Well ok Carrots, if you'll come with me."
"Of course I will Nick" she smiled
"Ok we'll go tomorrow, since it's your day off too"
"Right see you, if you need anything just knock no matter what time"
Judy then left
"How did I become so lucky to have a friend like her?" Nick wondered.
So how will the 'practice' go will it help Nick? Or will he still fear his father?