Although Guillermo did feel the same nervous feeling as the other parents he also felt respect. Respect for Arthur standing up for his daughter against the parents and their cruel words. But also respect for Max protecting his youngest child. 

As he caught up with them he got their attention, "Senor! Senor! Hold on a second!" 

Arthur let out a sigh and stopped to address his next door neighbor, "Something you want to say Mr. Gonzalez?" 

Guillermo nodded and actually offered out his hand to shake, "I wanted to say thank you, to both of you. Jackie gets a lot of discrimination in this town for her powers and how she chooses to use them. Most of the people here don't have powers and a lot of them are bigots across the board for everybody. So it's actually nice to see both of you take up for my daughter when she was being bullied." 

Realizing the situation Arthur relaxed and for a moment didn't know how to respond. He began to scratch the back of his head in the same manner that Max does from time to time in situations like these. He does end up replying and returning the gesture by shaking your hand, "I just knew my son was telling the truth. I don't know why the boys were bullying your daughter and that's something only she can probably tell you. Unfortunately though I do not approve entirely of my son's actions despite what I said. So I don't think it would be right to praise him for what he did in full." 

Guillermo to a degree understood where Arthur was coming from but he still insisted, "I totally get that do you want to make sure he doesn't think that violence is always the answer. But from his own words it sounded like he got there a little too late to solve things with talking things out. Sometimes these situations happen where people just get into fist fights. At least he had the good heart to jump in and help a girl who was clearly outnumbered. Looking at how those boys were in that office he sure seems to have some skill." 

Arthur sighed and responded slightly agitated, "I don't like how you phrase that last sentence. Complimenting kids fighting is not really the best idea. At least not in the circumstances that this fight occurred."

"Don't get me wrong I'm not saying that for the reasons you might be assumed. You see I used to be a boxer back when I lived in New Mexico. I almost went pro before I had my daughter and the money I was making doing boxing just wasn't cutting it to take care of her. However even after I moved out here and got a different job I still teach boxing lessons on the weekends at my brother Jorge's boxing gym that he opened up a few years back. I was thinking that it would be good to refine his skills. I could teach him how to properly fight and defend himself and help him gain some discipline and self-control. That way he knows when to hold back so he doesn't go overboard on some of the other kids in case the situation like this occurs again," explained and offered Guillermo. 

Arthur looked him up and down and he started to question it before he ultimately said, "No thank you. It has nothing to do against you, but everything to do with me wanting to keep my son from choosing a path of violence. I agree that in life situations like this do occur and sometimes can be unavoidable, and that even the circumstances can be skewed to push people towards violence. But.... I would rather my son not have that kind of thought process instilled into his mind because it may become the first thing he naturally goes for. When one is trained in ways of combat it can refine them into a better person and teach them restraint. But I also know that for some people such teachings can also be the first thing that they go to in situations instead of finding more peaceful solutions." 

"Spoken like a man who has followed the wrong side once or twice in his life. I can feel that. I understand Señor Sinclair. However I will leave the opportunity there should you or your son ever wish to pursue it. But I hope that if that should ever happen he will have your full support," Guillermo nodded in understanding. 

"I will see you later Mr. Gonzalez," said Arthur ready to go as Maxwell just looked and listened silent and worried. 

Guillermo gave off a jolly chuckle, "Haha. Of course neighbor. You be safe out there. I know it's hard being an officer of the law. I'll be praying for you and your son's continued health and prosperity. And both of you are welcome at my house any day."

Arthur gave a nod of respect and proceeded to walk his son outside to the police car that he arrived in where his partner was sitting in and eating lunch while listening to music. 

The two officers shared a look of understanding and made it clear through their body language that this would be a conversation for later as Arthur's partner wanted to know what happened but Arthur clearly was agitated and didn't want to talk at the moment. Instead Arthur took his son home. The car ride was silent except for the music lowly playing just barely audible from the back of the police car where Max was sitting. 

When Arthur arrived home he got out to let his son in and have a talk with him in private. His partner understood and just gave an affirming nod and went back to just enjoying his lunch and listening to good music. 

Once Arthur and Maxwell were inside their new home Maxwell immediately went to the living room to sit down knowing his dad was about to probably yell at him and punish him. He was afraid he was going to get a spanking and yelled at because of what he did, but instead his father did neither. 

Arthur walked up to Maxwell and placed his backpack on the table in front of them. He told him in an authoritative yet calm tone, "Do your homework and no video games. Also no going outside to play or to talk to anyone for the next 3 days. The only time you get to leave this house is to go to school and come back and that's if they don't suspend or expel you. Do you understand me?"

Max was kind of confused because he was expecting a harsher punishment after what he had done. Arthur could see it on his face almost wordlessly asking if he was going to get a spanking. 

"No need to make that face. I'm not going to give you a whooping...... I was serious about what I said earlier. I do believe you did the right thing protecting Jacqueline. Also you told me the truth which was very important. Most importantly you didn't deny that you actually did beat up those boys. I understand your reasoning for why you did what you did, and I appreciate your bravery and willingness to help out a girl in trouble. But I don't want to hear you getting into any more fights. If the next time something like this happens you better just grab whoever it is you're trying to protect and run to an adult who can deal with the situation.... Do I make myself clear," Arthur explained still carrying that tone of a stern father who is clearly upset but also proud. 

Maxwell immediately gave a nod just happy to not be getting a spanking for getting into a fight. He was happy that he did the right thing by protecting Jacqueline, but seeing his father give him that same look his grandpa did every time Max did something bad since shivers up his spine. 

He immediately did his homework like his dad had told him. With that Arthur trusted his son to not break the instructions he was given on what he could not do and then he proceeded to leave back out to get back to his job as a cop. Maxwell watched us his father lock the door and hopped back into the police car and pulled off down the road. 

All in all for him it was an interesting first day of school in his new city. All he could think about though was how he just barely dodged big trouble from the consequences of his actions. 

When Jacqueline got home he could see her through the window and she looked like her normal self again without her changes that made her look like a boy. It was clear her mother had probably given her a very serious talking to on the drive home. As sad as Jacqueline looked, the moment she looked towards Maxwell's house and saw him looking at her through the window she smiled. She waved at him and he very shyly but happily waved back. 

For Max he knew in his heart that he had just made his first real friend since coming here. He hoped that she would become one of his best friends like his three friends that he had back when he was going to school in New Orleans. The thought of making a new friend today even after what happens put a smile on his face.