When Luke confessed he wanted to become a dancer, his father was against his decision. The man took matters into his own hands to end his son’s craze for dance, not realizing it would endanger the young boy’s life.
“Dad,” Luke nervously began, breaking the silence. The entire family was quietly having dinner arranged in honor of his high school graduation, and Luke couldn’t wait any longer to make the big announcement.
“I have to tell you something, Dad,” he continued. “I’ve finally decided what I want to do after high school.”
“I know, son!” his father beamed, putting the fork down. “Since there’s no spot at my plant, I already asked my buddy Frank to let you try your hands at his auto repair shop. You know, to help you learn your way around auto parts.”
“What? No! Dad, I don’t want to become a plant mechanic! I want to become a dancer!” Luke raised his voice, but his father burst out laughing. “Really, boy? Do you think this is the time for pranks? Not even your little brother tries out such pranks these days!”
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“Dad, I’m serious! I got a chance to audition for one of the best dancing schools. I’m going to Florida next week for it!” he said, sounding stern. And his father’s smile faded.
“Then you better change your plans, young man! I didn’t mind it as your dumb hobby, but this is unacceptable.” Harry wiped his lips with a napkin and rose to his feet. “Your mother and I already decided that you’re becoming a mechanic. This conversation ends here!”
“Well, I’m no longer a little boy. You can’t order me around, Dad!” Luke shouted as he pushed his chair back and jumped to his feet. “I worked hard for it, and I’m not letting this opportunity pass!”
Luke didn’t even finish dinner and dashed upstairs to his room, slamming the door behind him. Watching his son’s stern attitude, Harry knew Luke wouldn’t back off easily. So two days before the boy was supposed to leave for Florida, Harry hired two men to scare Luke.
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“All you need to do is intimidate him. Just a little lesson to straighten him out! Don’t overdo anything,” he told the men, tossing an envelope on the floor. “That’s the cash. And not a word to anyone!”
The men smiled, counted the money, and left the garage. Harry hired the bums for a mere $40 but was confident his plan would work.
Two days later, Harry sat at the kitchen counter, pretending to read the newspaper. As he saw Luke was out the front door, he typed a message to the hooligans: “My son has left the home. Heading to the bus station. The ticket is attached below.”
“Aren’t you going to the plant today?” his wife, Eliza, asked, and Harry’s phone almost slipped from his grasp.
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“Yes, yes, I was just leaving,” He was about to walk out the front door when Eliza called out to him. “Harry, wait! Your work bag!”
Harry looked down and realized he was holding the newspaper. “You’re acting strange today,” she said. “Is everything alright?”
He gave her a stupid smile. “Sorry, just work stress. See you.”
Harry gave her a hurried kiss and left the house.
***
Luke didn’t want to be late for the bus, so he took the shortcut to the bus stop. However, he sensed someone was following him as he made the first right. Luke fastened his steps, but the footsteps behind him didn’t stop.
When the boy looked behind, he noticed two men following him. Luke began running, but they overtook him and shoved him to the ground.
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“Going for a ride, boy?” one of the guys stanched his backpack and tossed it to the other guy. Luke was terrified. They didn’t look like decent men.
“Who…who are you? Give me my bag, or I’ll call the police!” he snapped, trying not to look scared.
“Hey! Look what’s in here!” The other guy pulled out a wallet full of cash from Luke’s backpack. “Little duckling’s got quite some bucks!”
“No, hold on, we can’t rob him! Man, are you risking our liberty for $40?” The two men were busy talking when Luke got the perfect chance to call the cops. He sneakily pulled out his phone and began dialing 911, but the men noticed him.
“What do you think you are doing, boy?” They lunged at him, grabbed the phone from his hands, and stomped on it until it was crushed.
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Luke couldn’t give up. He needed his money back if he wanted to survive in Florida. So while still on the ground, he struck one of the men on the kneecap with all his might, and as the man tumbled to the ground, he charged at the other guy.
Unfortunately, the man was more muscular and taller than him. He gave a hard push to Luke. Luke’s head pounded as it hit the sidewalk, and he passed out.
“Jesus! No, no! You weren’t supposed to hit the kid, man!” the other guy cried, pulling his hair. “His father won’t leave us! We’re gonna end up in jail!”
“Let’s leave!” his pal suggested. “Nobody’s going to jail. Do as I say! Follow me!”
Noticing Luke was bleeding, the men were scared. They fled the scene, tossing their phones in a trash can to avoid the cops. Back at the plant, Harry was awaiting a call from the guys when his phone rang.
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“Am I speaking to Mr. Mullins? This is about your son, sir,” a woman’s voice appeared on the other end of the line.
“What? What exactly happened? Yes, yes, I’m coming right now.”
Harry ended the call and rushed to the hospital, where Luke was admitted. When he entered his son’s room, he noticed dark bruises on Luke’s face and arms. “Son, oh god, what happened?” Harry asked in tears, sitting on the stool beside his son’s bed.
“Oh my god, Dad. Are you crying? I’m fine,” Luke smiled to lighten the tension, but Harry was worried. “The doctor did some tests, and I’ll need knee surgery, Dad. I won’t be able to dance for a while. Two men attacked me on the way to the bus stop, and I don’t think we’ll ever find them because they were in masks.”
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“Just get well, son. We’ll talk about it later,” Harry changed the topic because he was to blame for Luke’s condition. He would’ve never forgiven himself if something happened to Luke.
A few weeks later, Luke was discharged from the hospital and joined Frank’s auto repair shop. He couldn’t return to dancing due to surgery, and he didn’t want to sit idle. But since he had no experience around cars, Frank asked Harry to train Luke.
They left Frank’s auto repair shop to find a vintage car waiting for them on the road. “Look at this beauty!” Harry smiled, leaning against the car’s window. “It was your grandad’s, and you can have it once you’re done with the repairs!”
“Oh my god! Really, Dad?” Luke was excited to work on his first car ever. Watching him, Harry didn’t have the courage to admit what he had done. He thought time would heal everything, even hoping that one day Luke would forget about dancing and follow in his footsteps as a mechanic.
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Within a few weeks, Luke repaired the car, and when he was sure it was ready for the road, he couldn’t wait to try it. He settled in the driver’s seat, clutching the steering wheel tightly.
“Well, let’s see what you can do!” he grinned, turning the ignition on.
Luke was having the time of his life driving the car at a racing speed…until he noticed a ball roll out onto the road in front of him. A boy raced toward the ball, and Luke tried the brakes, but they didn’t work.
“Damn, no! God, no! Move away, kid! Get away!” he shouted impulsively, not realizing the boy couldn’t hear him.
He kept trying the brakes again and again, but it was all for naught. The car kept gaining speed, and ultimately, Luke grabbed the steering wheel tightly and turned it, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and away from the little boy.
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Back home, Harry was engrossed in his TV show when his phone rang.
“Police? What’s wrong, officer?” He was on his feet as the caller introduced himself as a cop.
“We’re calling regarding an accident case, sir,” The officer read out a registration number, and Harry’s palms turned cold. “We believe this car belongs to you, sir. Am I right?”
“Yes, yes, it does. But what’s the matter?” Harry asked, getting tense.
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“This car met with an accident, sir,” the officer revealed. “A young boy was driving it, and while the paramedics tried their best, they couldn’t save him. We haven’t been able to identify the body yet. We’ll need you to come to the station.”
Harry’s phone slipped from his grasp. “My son,” he whispered as his knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor, crying.
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Source: news.amomama.com
