For Johnny, these past few days had been incredible—something he never could have dreamed of in his entire life. Things were going so well that it was hard to believe that just a few months ago, he had no idea how he would manage his next meal due to being unemployed.
What he regretted most was not being a good father. Watching all the students at his dojo sharing time and learning made him think constantly about his own son, Robby, whom he hadn't seen or heard from in a long time, at least until now, when he received a call.
It turned out that Robby hadn't been attending school, using the excuse that his father had taken him on a trip.
As a father, the simplest thing Johnny could have done—just being present in his son's life—was something he had failed at completely.
Johnny wasn't proud of himself. He could have used the excuse that he never had a father figure in his own life. When he found out he was going to be a father, he panicked, felt unprepared, and, like a coward, he ran away.
But now things were different. He might not have been a good father in the past, but now he could give his son what he never could before. It might not earn him forgiveness, but at least he wouldn't be a total failure.
He was determined to pay for Robby's college education with the hope of giving him a good life—something far better than what Johnny had.
When Johnny arrived at the house where Robby lived with his mother, the music blasting from inside was so loud that knocking on the door was futile.
"Sorry to interrupt, idiots," Johnny said as he let himself in, hearing nonsense about "booties" being shouted over the music.
Robby, who was hanging out with two of his friends, was the first to react. He looked startled but quickly turned angry when he saw his father. "What the hell? Don't you know how to knock?"
"I've been knocking for ages. You couldn't hear me over this garbage," Johnny retorted, irritated by how his son was wasting his life—and especially by the company he was keeping.
"What's a stereo?" asked one of the boys, sporting a hideous mustache.
"What's that thing on your face?" Johnny shot back.
"That's his mustache," the other boy answered defensively.
Robby, clearly annoyed, asked, "What are you even doing here?"
"Your principal called. I heard about the 'trip' to Colorado."
"Well, I didn't know what a father-son trip would be like, so I just used my imagination. If it makes you feel better, you can choose where we go next time," Robby replied sarcastically, turning away.
Johnny knew he wasn't in any position to lecture his son, but he tried anyway. "This isn't about us. You should be in school, not wasting time with these idiots."
"Screw you, old man."
"Old man? Keep talking, and I'll shut that mouth of yours myself."
Johnny didn't want to waste more energy here. Not when his son was so irrationally angry at him. "I'll talk to your mother about this."
"She doesn't care if I skip school, so why should you?" Robby grinned at the irony of his father's sudden interest in his life.
As Johnny was about to leave, he said, "Think about it. If you're willing to go back to school, I can pay for good college. Believe it or not, I have a decent job now."
"What? Working part-time at a discount store? If that's what you call a good job, you should seriously rethink your life."
"Whatever. Just stop wasting time with these morons," Johnny muttered, frustrated but unwilling to argue further.
...
Later, at Max's House
Max returned home to find Ryan lounging in his underwear.
"I told you, no hooking up in my house."
"Relax! We did it in the car. There's no one else here," Ryan said casually before eyeing Max suspiciously. "Where'd you spend the night?"
"At Devon's house..." Max replied absentmindedly, not realizing how Ryan might interpret his words.
"That's great! I was starting to worry you might be gay.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Nothing, don't worry. Your secret's safe with me." Ryan grinned mischievously, now convinced that his friend had a thing for Asian girls. With this newfound "knowledge," he started planning a surprise birthday party for Max, whom he saw as a brother.
"Forget it. I'm taking a shower." Oblivious to Ryan's dangerous thoughts, Max headed upstairs to his room.