Dante and Charlie arrived at the hotel that Dante was staying at, and it was somewhere in the city where there was a gold gate around it and there was an entrance of the hotel which was having a huge sign inside the gate above the entrance of the building that was in gold lights that were on as it read "Welcome to the Ritz Ronaldo" and the hotel was just as Dante said. It was big like the New York City's Plaza Hotel, but it was slightly smaller.
Everything about the hotel was like The Plaza but the building was just slightly smaller. The hotel had room service, gourmet restaurants, a lobby, a ballroom, four arcade rooms, a karaoke lounge that was huge, something that Charlie loves, the hotel had an Italian renaissance to the place.
The hotel had at least eighteen floors, nine elevators and lifts and the hotel had over two-hundred and fifty hotel rooms and one-hundred and sixty condominiums. The hotel looked like a paradise.
"Quite a place, isn't it?" asked Dante.
"Yo, ho, ho, and a bottle of yeah!" Charlie in shocked awe.
"Young man!" came a young African American male adult. "Oh, Mr. Grayson, you brought a guest?"
"This is my son, Charlie. I brought him over to give him a look around the place since I'm in town." Dante told.
"Welcome to the Ritz Ronaldo, sir. May I direct you to the Giovanni?" offered the man.
"Yes sir." Dante answered.
The man led both Dante and Charlie down a walkway while Charlie looked at his father with curiosity about why his father has a different last name than his.
"Grayson?" said Charlie confused.
"When I married your mom. Her last name was Grayson, but when our marriage didn't work out and after the divorce was final, she probably took her last name back and had your last name remain the same as hers. When people get a divorce. It's only natural for one of the former spouses to be angry at one another." explained Dante.
Charlie seemed to understand that his mother wanted his last name to be the same as hers and not the same as his father. He understood that not all marriages work out and when a divorce is final, both of or one of the spouses would be irate with the other. They entered the restaurant that the African American male adult took them to.
They were sat down at a large table and had been given a menu. The waiter was a tall and lanky Hispanic male adult who was no older than thirty which a full head of dark hair that was thick and beautiful looking but also had a thick mustache.
"Welcome Caballeros. What'll it be?" asked the Hispanic man.
"I'll have the Bistecca alla Fiorentina with orange juice on the rocks." Dante told.
"I'll be having the Hitsumabushi with cherry soda on the rocks." Charlie told. "And if you need to find me. Just look for the tall man with a hobbit sitting next to him. We're all known for being short."
The man chuckled and knew that Charlie was trying to make him laugh which the waiter chuckled at the humor.
"I see we have a comedian in the hotel. We even had that comedian who performs with puppets in here before. I'll be back with your plates." said the Hispanic man walking away with a chuckle.
"I heard you had a sense of humor." said Dante.
"And if you meet a talking French fry and ask him how he's doing. He'll tell you "I'm Frederic the French Fry...on a stick" and he feels a little burnt after being out in the hot sun for too long." Charlie joked while mimicking a French accent perfectly.
Some other people at the restaurant heard the joke and burst out laughing at Charlie's humor. Even Dante laughed a bit.
"What happens if Frederic falls on the floor?" asked Dante.
"Then he'd be Frederic the French Fry on the floor." joked Charlie mimicking the French accent perfectly.
More people nearby laughed and even Dante laughed. It was as if Charlie was a comedian or a voice actor in a funny cartoon show.
"How is Frederic doing in America? Is he happy to be in the land of the free and home of the brave?" asked Dante.
"Sometimes, I'm afraid for my life." Charlie answered in that French accent.
"Why is that?" asked Dante.
"Every fast-food restaurant serves French fries." joked Charlie.
Other guests and waiters nearby laughed hard at his humor while Charlie could see them applauding for his humor. He spoke in his normal voice after the humor was over. The waiter brought their dishes over with a big tray that was able to have a stand to have it stand up. The plates and drinks were placed on their table and the waiter was laughing as he left as he too heard the jokes.
"Now that's funny." chuckled Dante.
They eaten their dinner and it tasted incredible to the both of them. Having a second glass of their drinks and even had ice cream for dessert. Charlie had strawberry ice cream while Dante had vanilla ice cream. They were full yet satisfied their hunger.
"That was incredible." said Charlie. "Oishī."
"I agree." said Dante wiping his hands and face clean. "I never seen anyone pig out like I do whenever I can."
"Oh please. The contestants at a pie eating competition eat more than we do. The large male ghost from the ghostly trio has the food go right through him, literally." joked Charlie.
They both laughed as they had a father and son moment. But then there was a moment of silence between them when they saw a married couple nearby with a seven-year-old boy that appeared to be their son. Old memories began to appear in their heads as Dante felt a sense of guilt overcoming him.
"Charlie, I owe you an explanation for all of them years I was a no show. Even though them postcards I sent was a weak, tired ass excuse of mine." said Dante.
"Don't know if this is the place for that." Charlie denied.
"Actually, I owe you a proper explanation. Those postcards were the same lame excuses that were never a good explanation." Dante insisted as he shown a visibly saddened face. "Charlie, when me and your mom were married, we tried to make things work but things didn't work out since your mom had you while she was going through college. We were both struggling in life, don't know which one of us struggled harder though because we both were working hard. But the day you were born. It was the happiest day of my life. The first time I held you, I didn't think I'd ever put you down."
"Why did you?" asked Charlie.
"Well, you were two years old when I last saw you. The divorce was final by then but when I promised to be there for you on your birthday every year, I'll admit, not showing up was selfish, the postcards coming up with an excuse was cowardly and all. The job I had constantly had me on the road and I regret that I put my job ahead of my son. I know that me and your mom won't be getting back together because I know your mother wouldn't find that to be a good idea. I've come to terms with that. But I found out that there's a job opportunity in town where I can see you more and stay in town. But I will admit, I was a little afraid of being a dad and that's when I felt like I needed to take some time to think. Not showing up to be there for you was cowardly and selfish of me. You probably want to punch me in the face." explained Dante.
"I'm not doing that. I'll admit, it was killing me that you were a no show every year. But you being here after all this time. Not going to lie. It thrown us for a loop." Charlie admitted.
"I'm sorry for what I've done to you." apologized Dante.
"After all these years. Why tell me this now?" asked Charlie curiously.
"Because you're my own son and I love you. The only child I have. I had once wondered if your mother was to one day find another man but has she?" Dante admitted.
"Mom hasn't been dating since you and her divorced." Charlie answered.
"And what was it like being raised in a house full of women?" asked Dante curiously.
"Some people thought I rivaled Hefner." said Charlie blushing. "Even though it's just some joke some people have told. I never made that joke and I never will."
The two got up from their table and looked at each other.
"I'm a different man now, son. I'm ready to be part of your life, if you'll let me." said Dante hopefully.
"How?" asked Charlie looking clueless.
"We can get to know one another. I know it takes more than a day to get to know someone. I remember meeting your mom in high school, but we got to know each other for a few years. But the last time we saw each other was halfway through college." said Dante. "I heard you got a thing for karaoke?"
"That I do." said Charlie looking optimistic.
"They got a karaoke lounge here and if you're a good a singer as I've heard. They'll love that performance." said Dante with a grin.
Dante led Charlie to where the karaoke lounge was, but it was a huge room and the singer the microphone got done with his performance but wasn't very good. They were looking like they wanted to know who would like to perform but Charlie had an idea.
"Want to perform, Charlie boy?" asked Dante.
"Is Anne Boonchuy my girlfriend?" said Charlie a rise in confidence growing inside. "Watashi wa tsugidesu!"
Charlie walked up on the stage, and everyone saw him adjusting the microphone so that it wasn't too high or low and he pointed to the woman who was the disc jockey.
"Dragon Soul, please?" Charlie suggested.
The lady played the pop rock music on the karaoke machine and as it played the powerful music. Charlie began to sing beautifully to the words as he knew them by heart. Everyone was blown away at how good of a singer he was.
"Don't stop, don't stop, we're in luck now! Don't stop, there's so much to be found! We can find paradise, all we have to do is go, go free your so-o-oul!"
The guitar music was perfectly in tune with Charlie's singing as everyone was cheering for him and appeared more than entertained.
"Mysteries abound, made of a deep energy, energy. Foes all around, but I will go fearless and fre-e-e. I'll give you strength, you give me love, that's how we'll live, that's how we'll live. My courage won't fade if you're with me. My enemies will never win! We will fight for love and glory! We will live to tell the story! There is nothing we can't live through, nothing ever dies, we will rise aga-a-ain!"
As the music kept up its powerful, beautiful tempo and musical beat. Everyone was seeing that Charlie had the makings of a beautiful singer that could be better than any karaoke singer.
"Don't stop, don't stop, we're in luck now! Don't stop, keep your spirit proud! And ride upon the wind, all we have to do is go-o-o! Don't stop, don't stop, we're in luck now! Don't stop there's so much to be found! We can find paradise, all we have to do is go, go. Free your so-o-o-ul! Dragon So-o-o-o-oul!"
After the music and song was over. Charlie sucked in a big amount of air and roared loudly like a realistic lion, it was loud and powerful. Everyone applauded for his performance.
"That kid is good." said a man nearby.
"He's my son." Dante said proudly.
Later That Night
Anne and the Plantars worked something out with Anne's parents to let them sleep over at Charlie's house that night which there was an extra place to sleep in the house for them. Hayami was on the phone with her father, Charlie's grandfather.
"Listen dad, it's like I said before. We're keeping a close eye on Charlie. He's doing fine. Yes, he's dating again, her name is Anne Boonchuy, he really likes this girl." Hayami spoke over the phone. "What? Dante looks the same as he did last time, we saw him. But it looked like he might've grown his hair a little bit. I'm sorry, he does. Okay. Fine. He's puffed up like a blowfish and bald as an egg."
Anne and the Plantars were worried about Charlie's emotional state as they remembered that Charlie had struggled with dad issues for a long time, then got over them, now his father is back but none of them trust Dante at all.
"You guys have the same feeling as I do?" said Anne looking worried.
"Dante's going to disappoint our Charlie and ruin his emotional development that he worked so hard for?" said the Plantars in unison.
"Glad we're on the same page." said Anne.
"We're back!" came Charlie's voice.
Everyone came to the front entrance and Hayami told her father she'd call him back as she too joined them. They saw that Charlie was so happy that he felt like he was on top of the world. Letting out a few burps from the soda he had before or possibly from the ice cream.
"You have a good time at the hotel?" asked Kikyo.
"The food at the place was incredible. I told so many jokes and had half the people there laughing their heads off. But the karaoke singing had everyone feeling like they were at a Bruno Mars concert. Sorry ladies, this man is taken." said Charlie looking like he had the best time of his life.
"That's my boy!" said Dante.
"I'm glad you two got to spend some time together." said Kikyo and Hayami in unison.
"We're just getting started, ain't that right dad?" said Charlie giving Dante a one-armed hug to him.
"What are you talking about?" said a surprised Anne.
"Oh, my dad said that he's going to be seeing how this job opportunity of his the he spoke of turns out by tomorrow and if he gets the job. He's going to try and spend more time with me whenever he's off. He just has to talk about it with the big boss himself." said Charlie looking happier than he appeared to be in a long time.
Charlie walked off into the kitchen while Anne, Sprig and Polly went with him. Kikyo, Hayami, the ladies of the house and Hop Pop remained in the room with Dante.
"It can be a great idea for a father to bond with his son." said Dante.
"Forget it!" said Hop Pop sharply.
Dante could tell that they were holding their old feelings against him for all them years of not being there for Charlie.
"Oh, come on, Mr. Plantar." said Dante trying to appeal to his better nature. "The boy can use a little father and son bonding."
"Excuse me, but this is a family discussion." said the ladies of the house.
"Guys, let's try to be civil in the house, please?" came Charlie's voice.
They all turned to see Charlie, looking surprised at how they were treating Dante, but they also didn't want to upset Charlie while they also didn't trust Dante at all. They were a little torn between two thoughts. One, trying not to upset Charlie, and two, not trusting Dante. Dante knew that this had to be his time to leave for tonight.
"Relax, everyone, it's alright. I'll be here tomorrow to tell Charlie and everyone here how things turn out." said Dante leaving. "Oh yeah, if one of the tires to the car looks damaged, not to worry, I changed the tire with a spare I've got. I got five more spare so I can spare one of them."
Dante left the house and that's when everyone went into the kitchen as Charlie was a little offended that they weren't treating Dante very well.
"Okay, everyone, I know how you're feeling about my dad and all but maybe we could give him a chance, you know, maybe he saw the light." Charlie defended.
"Oh, come on, Charlie." snapped Hop Pop.
"Hop Pop." Anne chimed in.
"Charlie, I don't mean to be distrusting of the man but waltzes in eleven years later and acts like nothing happened." Hop Pop argued. "Charlie, don't you think he's here for a different reason? He found out you went missing and he comes over to see how you're doing once you've returned home like Anne has. This is the same man who made excuse after excuse for being a no show in your life to your birthday every year. I probably don't know if I'm right about this but he probably didn't think enough about you to come visit you in person or to even give you a phone call."
"He made a mistake, Hop Pop. I mean haven't we all made mistakes before in our lives? Maybe not as big of a mistake as my dad or as anyone who messed up big time. But if I can forgive him. Why can't you?" said Charlie trying not to burst out in anger.
"Because he's not doing this for you. He's doing this for himself." argued Hop Pop. "You know you hate being lied to."
"Hey! Hey! Just cool it down." Elena chimed in trying to calm everyone down. "We can talk about this another time. Let's not say or do anything that we'll regret. I may not trust Dante ether but let's not say or do anything that we'll regret."
"There's nothing else to talk about. Besides, I know we're both tired out and maybe we can try to give my dad a chance, a small chance. And if he screws up, then you guys admit to being right about him and I'll never doubt you guys again. I may have waited a long time for my dad to come visit me, yes, I once believed he was never coming back but if we give him a chance, we can at least try, but if he screws up, which I doubt, then I'll never doubt any of you again and you can say I told you so. Sounds good?" Charlie argued without losing his temper.
Charlie began to leave the kitchen and was going upstairs to his room. Hop Pop tried to get his attention, but Charlie ignored him.
"Charlie! Charlie come back!" called Hop Pop.
Charlie ignored him and was already upstairs as they all knew that he probably wasn't going to listen or he was being lied to by his biological father, again, and they were very worried about him while Hop Pop was fearing that he was losing Charlie or that their father and son relationship was hitting a wall.
"I'm losing him, Anne. He doesn't know that Dante is lying to him." said Hop Pop.
"Hop Pop, you're not losing him. I know you're worried about him, but we are too. We need to be there for Charlie in case something goes south really fast." reassured Anne.
"I just don't want him to be disappointed again if Dante pulls the same old trick on him. He's been through enough of this and I know we've been through enough trauma as well." said Hop Pop feeling like he was losing Charlie to someone who's lying to him.
Anne, Sprig and Polly hugged Hop Pop while Kikyo placed a hand over Hop Pop's back to console him. It had little effect on him.
"Hop Pop, you're not losing him." said Polly. "But if Dante hurts Charlie, I'm gonna."
"Calm down, Polly." Sprig instructed.
"Ochitsuke. Let's just be there for Charlie, just in case. But we shouldn't stay in the way of Charlie and Dante bonding with each other, I'm not saying we should trust Dante, I'm saying that we should let things, unfold." said Kagura sadly.
They all placed a hand on the table and each one of their hands was placed on top of each other's. They started to pray for Charlie as they prayed that he wouldn't get disappointed again, but they did feel worried for him.
Afternoon at the Matsuda Residence
Hop Pop was sitting on the couch and pondering about his conversation with Charlie but also worried about him at the same time. He was fearing he was losing him, that their father and son bond has been snapped in two or that Dante was taking him away from him or that Charlie was going to be disappointed again. He couldn't bear to see Charlie disappointed in tears.
"Hop Pop." came Anne's voice.
Hop Pop didn't respond while the ladies of the house, Sprig and Polly noticed that the conversation from last night was on his mind as well as it was on everyone else's minds. The first to approach him was Anne, Sprig and Polly.
"Everything alright, HP?" asked Anne.
"Where's Charlie?" asked Hop Pop.
"In the backyard. He's working out to relieve stress." answered Anne.
"Kids, do you think I'm a good parent?" said Hop Pop looking like he was doubting himself.
"Are you kidding me? You've been the best and you still are." reassured Sprig. "Maybe you're not perfect but you're perfect for us."
"You never walked out on us like Dante did Charlie." said Polly.
Everyone had a tense expression on their faces which they looked at Polly as if she said a bad swear word out loud. She realized she blurted out something she shouldn't.
"Too blunt?" guessed Polly.
"A little bit." everyone said in unison.
"We've done so much for Charlie, Anne, and for each other. Charlie was a different person when we first met him. He was like a kid who's nervous on his first day of school. I fear that now that Dante came along. It's like it's all out the window. I want Charlie to be happy, but I don't want him to be sad and disappointed ether. Mrs. Matsuda have you and the ladies ever had that feeling before?" asked Hop Pop.
"Oh of course we have." said Kikyo and Hayami in unison.
"We know he appreciates you like he appreciates us. We've done a lot for him, and he's done a lot for us. Same is said for how you, your grandchildren and Anne did a lot for him as he did a lot for all of you. He loves us all as much as we all love him. Besides, it's like we've taught him. When it comes to issues of any kind. It's better to talk them out with those you're trying to work them out with." said Hayami.
"He's a good niño and you're a good Abuelo." said Sonya.
"Maybe you're right. But isn't Dante supposed to be here by now? He did say he'd be here tomorrow to tell Charlie and all of us if things worked out with this job opportunity of his. He's running a little late." said Hop Pop calming down.
"I suspected this would happen." said Imani shaking her head.
"Maybe he got stuck in traffic." Mabel defended.
"Yeah, on his way out of town." said Imani sarcastically. "Wouldn't surprise me if he was lying to Charlie again."
They suddenly heard people talking loudly outside the house and it got their attention. They got up and walked towards the front entrance till they walked outside and found Dante being given the cold shoulder by Mr. and Mrs. Boonchuy.
"What's going on?" said everyone in unison.
"Ask the Rū tūd." said Mrs. Boonchuy sharply. "He was just about to do his disappearing act like David Copperfield!"
"What did Mrs. B say?" asked Sprig.
Anne shook her head as if warning him not to ask as she knew that her mother said a swear word that she didn't want them to learn. They could tell that this meant that some bad news was coming up. They all looked at Dante as the first one who spoke to him was Kikyo.
"Well, surprised you actually shown up when you said you would." said Kikyo with a hint of sarcasm.
"Sorry I'm a bit late. Business was booming or should I say the job opportunity has come up and I have some good news. I got the job." said Dante looking excited to tell them the news.
Everyone's expressions didn't fade but were stoic. Some of them felt like there was some bad news along with the good news as it was often followed by a "But" as most of them remembered.
"Go on." said Hayami.
"But there's some news about the job as well. For one, it's going to have me first make a shipment from here to the state of Maine in ninety-six hours, if I can make it and I know I can because I once made a shipment from Oklahoma to New York in four days when I had a week to do that. I'd even make myself a quick ten grand." said Dante looking proud of himself.
"That's terrific. I remember hearing Charlie say you were going to take him with you to bond with him. If that's the case, you and Charlie may want to get a move on." said Hop Pop trying to look enthusiastic but there was a hint of sadness in him.
The smile from Dante's face faded, there was something he was going to tell them and the look on Mr. and Mrs. Boonchuy's faces was anything but a smile but only a cold, sour expression as if catching a child doing drugs and putting a permanent stop to it.
"Actually, that's the problem. I know I said there was good news but I probably should've said it sooner. There's also some bad news." said Dante starting to look nervous when little did everyone know was Charlie was about to come outside but was hearing everything being said. "As good as I am. Well, the job will have me out of town for the time being and I can't make the deadline on my own. I'm going to be picking up an extra driver."
Their feelings of Dante was starting to rise up as they were seeing that this meant that there's no room on the trip for Charlie to bond with him during the road trip. Hop Pop's sadness was shifting to disgust.
"Oh? So this means there won't be any room for Charlie on this trip?" said Hop Pop crossing his arms in discontent.
"Sorry, not this trip. But-" Dante began.
"Oh, I'll tell you what, Dante. Why don't we pay for air fair so he can go on a plane and you two have the rest of the few days together to bond." said Hop Pop feeling like his outrage was screaming to come out but he was trying to hold back.
"I appreciate that, Mr. Plantar. Mighty generous of you all. But this job could lead to another big one. And I got to stay flexible because this could lead to something where I could be there for Charlie later on. You know how it is?" said Dante with a nervous grin.
"Oh yeah, I know how it is." said Hop Pop sarcastically.
"Damn it, Dante! Charlie's going to be crushed." said Hayami sharply.
"I see. That's why I was thinking you should break the news to him." said Dante looking guilty.
They all looked at Dante with disgust and knew that they were right. Dante was the same deadbeat father as he has been for years. He was trying to weasel his way out of things easily. They knew this was selfish and cowardly of him. They knew they were right, but they were hoping to be wrong as not to upset or disappoint Charlie.
"Kids, if you see anything you're not supposed to see. I'd advise you to go inside till my chat with Dante is over." warned Hop Pop.
"You're not gonna slug him, are you? I don't want to miss that." said Polly.
"Only if he slugs me first. If he does, I'll pay for his tombstone." said Hop Pop shooting Dante a scary look of outrage.
Kikyo was one of the first to approach Dante as she gave him the same cold look Hop Pop shot him with. Her fists were clenched as if trying to hold back her anger towards him that she had towards him for years. She wanted to punch him so badly but held herself back.
"Dante, if you walk out of Charlie's life right now. Don't you ever come back, or I'll personally bury you six feet under." threatened Kikyo.
"I need to have a word with Dante." said Hop Pop. "Dante, you're gonna listen for once to someone other than yourself."
"I got no time for a lecture." said Dante attempting to leave.
"Dante, I said you're gonna listen for once!" Hop Pop repeated in a sharper tone of voice.
This caused Dante to stop in his tracks and face the elderly male frog. Charlie was hearing everything, and he was seeing everything too. His heart was sinking like a cruise ship that hit an iceberg that ripped a huge hole in its side and caused it to sink at an alarming rate.
"You know, Charlie was doing just fine till you showed up. Now that you're back, you have responsibilities to him." said Hop Pop his tone firm.
"Hey, look, we're still gonna make the trip." said Dante in his own defense.
"Oh bull! Bull on that!" Hop Pop exploded. "Charlie is not a coat that you can hang in the closet, then you pick it up when you're ready to wear it. His life goes on like any normal person's life. He's not supposed to be here for you. You're supposed to be there for him!"
"You get off my back, you little hobbit!" snapped Dante. "You think I want this? It just happened and I expected it to have me working a job here, but things went south. I have no control over it! You know, when Charlie was a baby, I was terrified-"
"Cut the crap, alright?" snapped Kikyo.
"Stay out of this, Kikyo!" snapped Dante.
"Don't you dare talk to his mother like that! Trust me when I say this. When I had children and grandchildren, was I terrified at first? Yes, but I didn't run out on my family. I was there every day for them because that's what a man does, married or not." argued Hop Pop.
"Fine, Mr. Plantar! You've won. You're the man. You're a better man then me. Happy now, shortstop!" Dante shouted.
"Damare, Dante!" came Charlie's angry tone.
Everyone turned to see Charlie was at the front door. Their fears were confirmed as Charlie approached Dante and was showing a mixed expression of shock, disappointment and outrage. Dante felt like he was in so much trouble that he wanted to turn himself into the police instead of feeling the wrath fifteen people in front of him.
"Charlie, I'm glad you're here." said Dante with a forced smile. "Good news, I got the job I spoke of but things hit a snag in expectations when they told me what I was going to be doing for this job, but I will be here after-"
"If I were you. I'd keep my mouth shut and listen to what I have to say right now." said Charlie popping his neck.
Dante waited for him to punch him in the face or anywhere else for that matter, but the impact of his fist never came. He knew that this couldn't be good but had an idea to try and explain things.
"How much of this have you heard?" asked Dante playing dumb.
"All of it." said Charlie in a deep and low tone.
"Charlie, listen to me. I expected it to be having me working here permanently but you know how businesses work when things go south." Dante tried to say in his defense.
"Raiā! You said you'd take me with you for a few days and return me back home afterwards as a bonding trip. And now you're saying different?" said Charlie catching him in a lie.
"Now Charlie, sometimes this kind of things happen. I know, it sucks. But sometimes-" Dante began.
"Why should I hear your bullshit now when I've been listening to it for years, huh?" said Charlie appearing to see right through him.
"Charlie, if you'd let me explain. I had no idea this would come up." Dante defended.
Charlie raised a hand to quiet him which he fell silent as Charlie shown a saddened expression and a clenched fist.
"Last time I saw you was when I was two. I only know that because my mom, aunt Hayami and the ladies of the house told me about it. Year after year, you promised to visit me on my birthday, but something always came up in terms of your occupation having you too busy to do that. We'd ether get a phone call, or I'd get a postcard from you on why you couldn't make it at the last minute." Charlie lectured.
"I tried to make it but-" Dante defended.
"Let the boy speak!" Hop Pop interrupted.
"Thank you. For years, I'd hope that you and I would be able to have a father and son bond of some sort, since I was five years old and old enough to remember anything. I've been wanting to attend a father and son event that would happen in town but you weren't there to go with me. Everytime someone asked me where my dad was. I'd lie and say that my dad was busy fighting crime while wearing an indestructible iron suit to explain where you were. But for years, I blamed myself for your absence, wondering what I did wrong to make you not be around me, making up excuses for you. Since my eleventh birthday, I finally realized you were never coming back, it hurt me to realize that." said Charlie as a tear leaked out of his right eye. "I was ready to be over it all when Hop Pop, Anne, Sprig, Polly and everyone here helped me realize that I didn't need you. But now that you're here, I was thinking that maybe you'd try again like you've said."
Tears welling up into Charlie's eyes silently while this left everyone outraged and heartbroken for Charlie. His hopes on his father trying again to be a good father dashed faster than he's ever ran. They knew they were right in not trusting Dante as they didn't want Charlie to feel hurt again by him, but knowing they were right didn't feel good at all. A rage kicked into Hop Pop.
"They were right. You're a deadbeat. You talk about being a good father or being a good man, but you were never there to show it." said Charlie trying not to lose it.
"Hey, now wait a minute young man. Don't you talk like that about your dad!" Dante said now starting to get irate.
"He's more of a man than you, Dante. At least I was there for him like any other father should." Hop Pop snapped in defense.
"Stay out of it, old toad! This is between a father and son!" snapped Dante.
"YOU'RE NOT MY DAD!" shouted Charlie in anger.
His voice echoed loudly like they were in a cave. Everyone, including Dante had wide eyed expressions of shock. Charlie telling his biological father that he's not his dad was something they never thought he'd ever say let alone think about. There was a long silence, but Dante's fists clenched as he finally had it with everyone reading him the riot act. Dante lost his temper that moment.
"You shouldn't have said that young man." Dante said in a deep and low tone.
Dante was about to punch Charlie out of blind rage. This sent fear into the boy's mind that he screamed just as Dante raised his fist at him. Everyone was about to step in to defend Charlie but the first to stop Dante was Hop Pop as he launched his massively long, thick and wide frog like tongue at him to wrap around both Dante's wrists like rope to restrain him like a pair of handcuffs. This left Dante in shock and surprise about this.
"Don't you dare hit my son!" warned Hop Pop loudly. "Dante, whether you like the title or not, you are this boy's father. He has been waiting his whole life for just a shred of attention from you. A shred of acceptance or love from you. But you don't know how to return even a fraction of the love that you get from your child, or from your woman. I hope someday you can live without lying to the people you're supposed to love. But until that day, we can all live very nicely without you. And if you hit my son or lay a finger on him. I'll knock you out like how Charlie said Muhammad Ali would knock out his opponents."
Hop Pop released his tongue binds on him and pulled his huge tongue back in his mouth. Dante was shocked to the system at everything he just saw, heard and from everything that was told to him. He didn't know if he should be terrified, weirded out or if he should freak out from it all. He unclenched his fists and appeared to have calmed.
"Alright Mr. Plantar. You win." said Dante.
Hop Pop turned his back on Dante as he went over to console Charlie who was surprised at how Hop Pop took up for him when his biological father was about to harm him when he had enough of his lies and neglect. But then Dante took advantage of Hop Pop dropping his guard as he charged at Hop Pop with a scream of rage.
"I'm gonna kick your ass, you old motherfucker!" cried Dante.
Hop Pop was about to try and defend himself but he had no time to try and think of a way but the only person who did was Charlie as a rage kicked into him and he charged at Dante with a loud lion like roar that was so loud and realistic that it sounded pure. He caught Dante's fist and stopped him.
"Keep your hands off my dad, Dante." Charlie warned.
Charlie flipped Dante over onto his back to the grassy ground which left Dante to feel like a little bit of his breath was knocked out of him. Dante couldn't believe it.
"I'm not that same five-year-old whose asking my mom when's daddy coming home. My mom taught me how to tie my shoes, you didn't, my grandpa gave me the talk about the birds and the bees, you didn't, my family was there for me when I needed them, you were not, I shot my first basket from learning how from my uncle, learned martial arts from my uncle which I used to kick your ass, got through my first day of school with my mother, my aunt and the ladies of the house, learned how to drive from my girlfriend and my kyōdai, learned how to shave from my grandpa, and if you harm my dad, I'll call the police and you can spend the rest of your time behind bars. I don't need you today, I don't need you now. I'll get through college without you, get a great job without you, I'm gonna marry my girl one day and have beautiful, wonderful children and be a better father then you ever were. I'm sure as hell I don't need you for that because there's not a damn thing you can teach me about how to love my kids or my family." Charlie ranted. "Now leave, before I do more than flip you like a flapjack."
Charlie let go of Dante's hand and arm as he got up on his feet and looked at the irate Charlie who growled like a lion at him. The boy clenched his fist enough to loudly crack his knuckles for even Dante to hear them crack. Dante felt like his hand and arm was aching like he punched a brick wall when Charlie flipped him on his back to the ground and had his hand held in a way that sent a jolt of pain to his wrist.
Defeated and terrified of his own son. Dante ran off towards his truck and drove off. After Dante drove off and left, fading out of sight. Everyone suddenly applauded Charlie for putting his own deadbeat father in his place while Hop Pop shown to be a better father to Charlie and is his true father figure.
"Charlie, I'm sorry that Dante was never there for ya and that he proven to be no good. But if there's anything that I can-" Hop Pop began.
Without warning, he was met with a hug from Charlie who had shed a few tears. Hop Pop wiped the tears away as he embraced Charlie in return.
"I may not have learned anything from Dante. The true father figure and the only father I've learned anything in my life is the one I'm embracing right now as he embraces me. Every young man needs a Hop Pop. You've been more of a father to me then Dante ever was. And I'm forever grateful for it." said Charlie a tear slowly trickling down his cheek.
Hop Pop shed a tear from his eye as he felt proud from how much stronger his father and son bond has become with Charlie. He knew Charlie needed him to console him of the pain that his biological father was such a deadbeat that left him and his mother so many years ago that Dante was never there for him and never there to assist his mother since the divorce between his parents. He knew that he has a great family of women in the house who raised him, but he also knew that he's the true father figure in Charlie's life as he loves him like a son and Charlie loves him as a father.
"And this old frog is proud of the strong, young man you've become. You and I truly are father and son." said Hop Pop proudly.
Hearing such sweet words left the two proud and happy while everyone seeing and hearing this got a bit emotional as they too shed a tear. Charlie's family knew they had wanted to punch Dante for the years of neglect he's guilty of towards Charlie but knew seeing Charlie take him down would be the next best thing, Anne, Sprig and Polly saw this as a sweet moment between Charlie and Hop Pop as the two frog children see him as an older brother, even Anne's parents felt like Charlie was more than welcomed into the Boonchuy family as they see how much of a good young man he is.
That's when Charlie delved into Hop Pop's mind as the two were seeing what looked like images of both of them bonding as father and son flashed inside their minds as their eyes color would briefly glow a gold light. The first image they saw in their minds was of Hop Pop and Charlie as Hop Pop was shown to be holding Charlie in his arms when it looked like Charlie was a baby at the age of a year old.
"Can you say Hop Pop?" said Hop Pop in an adored tone.
It looked like baby Charlie was about to speak as he was looking up at the older male frog with a grin and blushing cheeks.
"H-h-h-h-Hoppy Poppy." said baby Charlie with an adorable baby voice.
"That's my little baby boy." said a proud Hop Pop.
The next image that was shown was looking like six-year-old Charlie and Hop Pop was playing catch as they both had a baseball mitt and tossed the baseball at one another, both of them showing to be a good catch and having a good arm.
"Coming at ya, Hop Pop!" said six-year-old Charlie.
He tossed the ball right at Hop Pop who caught it in his baseball mitt.
"Atta boy, Charlie. Whoa! Your arm is getting stronger." said a proud Hop Pop.
The next image shown Charlie at a baseball game at age nine and he had hit the baseball with the Louisville Slugger so hard that it was literally knocked out of the baseball field, and he had an easy home run as he ran towards each base. Everyone was cheering for him.
"He did it! He won the game for his team. Charlie "The Engine" Matsuda hit his first home run and won the game for the California Angels!" the male announcer said powerfully over the radio.
Charlie ran to home plate and both him and Hop Pop were embracing each other in a victorious bear hug. The next image that was in their minds was of Charlie at his current age and Hop Pop was giving him advice on the dos and don'ts of dating.
"Now when it comes to first dates. I know first impressions aren't always correct but on this. Always be honest with the girl, never overdo the aftershave, always be on time with your date to anywhere, always listen to the girl, and they love a true gentleman." advised Hop Pop.
"Hopefully, all will be swell." said Charlie.
That's when they turned to see Anne, the girl that Charlie is on a date with. Charlie would go off to begin his first date with Anne and Hop Pop would look on with Sylvia by his side.
"He's growing up, Hoppy." said Sylvia.
"That he is. Let's just hope that they only kiss on the second or third date." joked Hop Pop with a chuckle.
"Oh you." chuckled Sylvia.
Another image flashed to seeing Charlie graduating high school as Hop Pop and Charlie and the rest of the family were hugging each other while Hop Pop and Charlie embraced one another.
"Looks like my boy has made it." said Hop Pop.
"I knew I'd make you proud, Hop Pop." said Charlie.
Another image flashed inside their minds as it shows that Charlie was in his late thirties and shown that he married Anne and they have children of their own while both Charlie, Anne and their kids were visiting Hop Pop and Sylvia as they see the grandchildren and bond with them.
"Charlie, you and Anne had beautiful grandchildren. Jack looks just like you." said Hop Pop in amazement. "And little Rhonda looks just like her mother."
"It feels like just yesterday you were preparing me for my first day of school. You got a bit choked up on that day." chuckled Charlie.
"I should've never had breakfast bean burritos. Farted so much that it stunk up the house. Good thing no one lit a match during that gas leak." joked Hop Pop.
Both of them laughed as they remembered such a fond memory and the two embraced each other as they knew they missed those days of Hop Pop raising him.
"No matter what. I'm always proud of ya, my boy." said Hop Pop.
"I'm lucky to have you as my dad." said Charlie.
The images in their minds stopped and they snapped back to reality as the two were still hugging each other but then were in a group hug as Anne, Sprig, Polly, Mr. and Mrs. Boonchuy, Kikyo, Hayami, Sonya, Selena, Elena, Kagura, Imani and Mabel with all in a group hug with Charlie and Hop Pop.
"Hop Pop, everyone, I'm sorry for anything I've said that was out of line last night. I never meant it." Charlie apologized.
"Not to worry, Charlie. We know you didn't mean it. We've all said some things we didn't mean. But we just didn't want you getting hurt by Dante again." said Hop Pop accepting his apology.
"It's Alright, Char Char." said Anne.