Chapter 60

So, we could say that there will be a couple of 'filler episodes,' being very general in the definition of filler. I think part of the development in this chapter is important for many things that will happen in the future of the story.

Without further ado, Enjoy.

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Before I realized it, I was already in my car, still thinking about what I had done. I didn't feel good about the way I obtained the information; the sister had been nothing but kind to anyone she interacted with.

I didn't want to go home, where my whole family would be preparing for Christmas, feeling so upset with myself. I needed to blow off some steam.

Without hesitation, I drove to the lot where Case lived. Maybe I could hit the bags to distract my mind.

The road was almost empty, clearly because most people would be at home with their own families, celebrating together, so I could drive for the first time since I had Debbie without caring about traffic laws, pressing the accelerator with no music on the speakers, feeling the wind coming through the window.

Finally, upon arriving at the container company where Case, possibly without permission, lived on a vacant lot, I parked my car.

Fortunately, even though there was a break from training for a few days, it was obvious that Case would not stop training on his own, so everything was prepared as usual.

Case's trailer, as always, had the curtains and door closed. I doubted very much that the man had anyone to spend Christmas with, so I knew he was inside.

Not wanting to bother the man on his 'vacation,' I walked to the last of the bags, hitting it immediately once I was at a sufficient distance.

After several jabs, crosses, hooks, elbow punches, and some kicks, I still couldn't get the face of the nun, completely incredulous while tears streamed down her face, out of my head.

"I'm pretty sure you won that fight," suddenly from behind me, with arms crossed and his almost always present frown, Case said, obviously surprising me.

"Case," I panted, trying to catch my breath, embarrassed that the man had seen that.

"We need to train that kick more," Case said, shaking his head while walking behind the bag, "come on," he continued, ordering me to kick.

Without really intending to stop hitting the bag, I immediately followed the muscular man's orders, kicking the bag hard.

In one of the kicks I was going to deliver, when I lifted my leg, Case pushed the bag towards me, making me lose my balance and fall hard on my butt.

"An angry mind is a narrow mind," Case said calmly, holding the bag.

"It's not fair, I was distracted," I said, getting up and dusting off my clothes.

"Exactly, where your mind goes, your body follows," still frowning, Case said. "So, I don't care what kind of problems you have, deal with them and come train," he continued before walking towards his trailer.

Watching Case enter his home, I delivered one more punch to the bag, mentally preparing myself to go home even though I didn't feel ready.

Before I could muster enough motivation to get back to my car, Case's trailer door opened once more. The man, with a chessboard in his hands, silently settled at the small table, inviting me to play without saying a word.

We played without talking for several minutes, maybe even hours. The sun was more and more at sunset when Case finally stepped away from the small table. "It's time for you to go. I'm sure your family is waiting for you. It's Christmas," he said quietly, taking all the pieces.

Without saying more, Case, with the pieces and the board in hand, entered his trailer again.

Shaking my legs slightly, having sat so long on the small chairs had cut the circulation to my limbs, I stood up, much calmer about the decision I had made. I still didn't think it was the right one, but it was done. I couldn't keep dwelling on it.

Walking back to my car, I stopped, sighing before walking back to Case's trailer.

After knocking on the door, I waited a few seconds until the door opened again, with one eyebrow raised. Case silently asked what I wanted.

"Come and spend Christmas with my family," I said, immediately regretting it when I saw Case frown.

"We are not friends," Case asserted harshly, frowning more than ever.

"I didn't say otherwise," I replied immediately. "No one should spend Christmas alone," I continued, really feeling it. I had spent dozens of Christmases alone, sleeping thanks to alcohol.

"I don't—" Case was saying, but I interrupted him.

"You just have to come, drink with my dad, who, by the way, still remembers you fondly, prove to my mom that you are not a mass murderer, even though you look like one," I whispered the last part, "have turkey dinner, and you can go back to doing whatever you do inside 'Daisy,'" I quickly added.

Case said nothing, staring at me for several seconds.

"You can see it as a thank you for these months. I don't think we will be friends after this," I clarified, feeling nervous about Case's lack of response.

"Wait here," after another moment of silence, Case said, slamming the door.

"Well, I take that as a yes," I said to the trailer door.

A few minutes later, Case, surprisingly dressed in a formal shirt, came out carrying a transparent container with what appeared to be mashed potatoes.

"What?" Case asked dryly, still frowning.

"I didn't know you had shirts with sleeves that reach the wrist," I said sarcastically, pointing to his clothes while moving aside so the man could exit his home.

"Don't make me regret this," Case said seriously before walking towards my car. Aside from 'Daisy,' I don't think Case has another means of transportation other than walking.

While we were on our way home, with music occupying the uncomfortable silence inside the car, "So, was it a coincidence that you just had mashed potatoes around? I didn't know you cooked," I said, drumming my fingers on the steering wheel.

Sighing audibly, Case closed his eyes. "I already regret it," he declared dryly. "Your weekly payment includes a sack of potatoes. What do you think I do with all those potatoes, eat them raw?"

"Of course not," I responded immediately, a bit nervously.

When we arrived home, Case quickly got out of the car, still holding his container, studying the neighborhood. "Nice house," completely out of character for him, Case said dryly.

"Thanks," still surprised by the man's sudden kindness, I said slowly before walking towards the house with Case behind me.

Inside the house, Bob, as usual, was sitting in his usual spot on the couch, watching TV. The only difference from other days was a flashy Christmas sweater.

"Hey Dad," calling the man's attention, I said, making him turn around with a big smile, "do you remember Case?" When Bob turned enough to face us, I could see the surprise on his face upon seeing my 'sensei.'

"Of course, Mr. Walker, how are you?" Almost immediately losing the surprise from his face, Bob stood up with a big smile, asking while extending his hand kindly.

"I'm very well, Mr. Duncan. Please call me Case," Case, accepting the handshake, said, surprisingly kind, even with a smile that didn't seem fake.

"Then you have to call me Bob," Bob immediately added.

After the two adults greeted each other again, a short but uncomfortable silence ensued, reminding me that I hadn't explained anything.

"I invited Case to spend Christmas with us," I quickly said, hoping Bob and Mom wouldn't be mad at me.

"Oh, sure, that's great, I'm very happy," Bob said immediately, smiling kindly.

"I brought some mashed potatoes," raising his container, seemingly a bit embarrassed by the situation, Case said.

"PJ can take it to the kitchen. While you're there, bring a beer for your master champ," Bob said, patting my shoulder cheerfully.

In the kitchen, Mom was checking the oven, where I was pretty sure a turkey was finishing up. "Ah PJ, you're finally back. Help me with this, please," she said, pointing to a jar of olives on the kitchen counter as soon as she saw me enter.

"Mom—" I was saying, but Mom snapped her fingers, remembering something upon seeing me.

"I have your sweater in my room. Your siblings already have theirs. You have to wear it," the petite woman said quickly, not letting me speak, walking out of the kitchen.

"Mom, wait," leaving the now-open jar where it had been, I said, following her.

Mom, surprised, was just a step away from the kitchen door, staring intently at the couch where now, next to Bob, Case was sitting.

"Why is there an incredibly muscular stranger on my couch?" Mom asked intrigued, in a whisper.

"Mom, this is Case Walker, my martial arts master. I invited him to spend Christmas with us," I said, raising my voice a bit to catch the attention of the two adults watching TV.

"Mrs. Duncan, excuse my rudeness," Case said, standing up quickly. "Case Walker," he continued, approaching Mom, extending his hand.

Mom, staring seriously at Case for a few seconds, left the much larger man's hand hanging. "Are you taking care of my PJ?" Mom asked, narrowing her eyes, taking me by surprise.

"Of course, ma'am," lowering his hand, Case seriously responded, not breaking eye contact.

The two engaged in a staring contest for a few seconds until Mom raised her hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr

. Walker. Please call me Amy. I'm glad you can join us today," Mom said, immediately changing her attitude.

"Then please call me Case," shaking Mom's hand, imitating what Bob had said a few minutes ago, Case said.

"PJ, please bring Case a beer," Mom said, smiling broadly. "So, what kind of things do you teach at your martial arts school?" I heard Mom ask as I walked back to the kitchen.

I quickly brought the drink to Case, who continued talking with Mom and Bob about the activities we did at the lot. For some reason, Mom didn't want me present in the conversation, so she sent me away.

Avoiding looking at Case, who had been so reluctant to come, I decided to clean up to put on the clothes Mom had chosen, another flashy Christmas sweater.

Much cleaner than when I arrived home and wearing a sweater with a reindeer on it, I left my room several minutes later, ready to face Case, who would probably be upset about accepting my invitation.

Back in the living room, I found Case talking quietly with Bob and Mom, even with a small but visible friendly smile, completely unnatural.

"Ah PJ, I knew that sweater would look perfect on you," Mom said, standing up to fix some wrinkled parts of the garment.

"Yeah, Mom, thanks," still uncomfortable with the unexpected change of reality, I said, somewhat distracted. Seeing Case being so kind was like watching House being respectful to someone for more than a few minutes without faking it.

"Mom, do I really have to wear this sweater? It itches," from the same hallway I had arrived from a moment ago, Gabe, stretching his own Christmas-themed sweater, asked, stopping when he saw the strange man sitting in the living room.

"Yes, you have to wear it all night, at least until we take the family photo," Mom seriously told the younger boy, pulling him to forcefully adjust the sweater Gabe constantly stretched.

"Sorry, who is he?" pointing to Case, Gabe asked without any shame.

"Case, this is my younger son Gabe," Bob said, maintaining his friendly smile. "Gabe, this is Case Walker, PJ's martial arts master," he explained.

"Are you teaching PJ to kick butt?" Gabe asked immediately, surprised, receiving a smack on the back of his head.

"Language," Mom reprimanded sternly.

"Yes, that would be me," Case responded again, much calmer than I felt comfortable witnessing my brother.

"Cool," nodding slightly, Gabe said, "Really, Mom, can I take off the sweater and just wear it for the photo?" Ignoring Case again, Gabe asked Mom with frustration on his face.

"All right, but if the sweater looks wrinkled in the photo, I'll take away your little box," Mom warned seriously.

"Thanks," immediately taking off the sweater, Gabe exclaimed, almost running back where he came from.

Now without my brother's presence, Mom returned to the sofa next to Bob, smiling kindly at Case. "You were telling us about when you lived in Brazil," Mom said, leaning on Bob's arm and indicating to Case to continue.

"Yes, I lived a couple of years at the house of one of my teachers, Oswaldo Fadda, who later sent me to stay with another of my teachers' families, the Gracie's," Case said, opening up more to my parents, whom he had known for at most a couple of dozen minutes—something he was sure he had never done with Tim or me, with whom he basically spent a couple of hours each day.

"Teachers?" Mom asked, interested. "In martial arts?" she added.

"Yes, exactly, they trained me in one of the martial arts I teach to PJ," Case momentarily shifted his focus, looking at me, momentarily losing his friendly smile before returning to my parents. "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu."

"Uh, 'jiu-jitsu,' sounds like a great Portuguese word," strangely excited, Mom said.

Case, again unusually friendly with other adults, avoided correcting Mom, simply nodding with a small, somewhat forced smile.

After a few minutes during which both Mom and Bob began explaining the history of the Duncan family from the kitchen, one of those analog alarms sounded, warning Mom that dinner was ready.

Dinner turned out to be very pleasant, except for a start where Teddy was somewhat uncomfortable with the sudden addition of a massive stranger at the table, but with Gabe's constant questions to my teacher, the discomfort faded away.

Another consequence I hadn't thought of when bringing Case home for Christmas dinner was my diet. Since he was essentially my guest, Mom sat the man next to me, making it easy for him to serve me more food.

After dinner, everyone at the table engaged again in different conversations until at some point in the night, Mom checked the clock on the house wall. "I think it's time," she said with a big smile. "Case, you're going to love this," she continued, reminding me of what we were supposed to do today. "It's time for the annual Duncan family talent show."

Oh no.

"Yeah," equally excited, Teddy stood up, rushing to the living room to move the small table in front of the sofa by herself.

"Talent show?" intrigued, Case asked Bob.

"It's an annual Duncan family tradition," Bob cheerfully explained. "We started it when PJ was just five years old, Teddy was only three, and Gabe wasn't even born yet."

I had completely forgotten about the talent show. Mom had mentioned it casually during dinner last week; at that moment, I hadn't paid enough attention as I was exhausted from all the 'patients' in the clinic.

The other members of my family as one went to their rooms for a couple of minutes to prepare for their own acts, leaving Case and me alone in the living room.

Losing his friendly attitude completely, Case frowned at me.

"Case," forming an idea in my mind, I nervously said.

"What?" the man asked seriously.

"Could we give a quick jiu-jitsu demonstration, maybe a couple of submissions for my family as my act?" avoiding eye contact with the normally closed-off Case, I quickly said.

Contrary to my expectations, Case didn't immediately refuse and sighed for a long moment as if outside his trailer. "Okay," he finally said.

"Thanks, man," surprised by Case's response, I said, maybe this was the beginning of a better relationship with the usually closed-off man.

"Don't thank me yet," raising one of his eyebrows sinisterly, he said.

"Okay," nervous, I said, there won't be any improvement, yeah not today.

With Teddy as the presenter, my family performed their acts for the talent show. Mom and Teddy sang a Christmas song together, Bob did a small magic show, and Gabe played a song on his guitar.

"Lastly tonight, PJ, who hasn't told anyone what his act will be," Teddy said, losing her smile at the last part.

Glancing at Case, who surprisingly had watched the entire show without seeming disinterested at any moment, we stood up at the same time.

"As Case has already told you, one of the martial arts he teaches is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which originated in Brazil by the Gracie family, who adapted certain aspects of judo into practice," while Case rolled up his shirt sleeves, I also explained, carefully folding Mom's sweater to the side.

"Jiu-Jitsu, or jujutsu, from the Japanese 'gentle art,' is a martial art that encompasses a wide variety of combat systems based on defense," Case interjected as he and I bowed to each other in front of my family, as he had taught me. "The Brazilian system created by my teacher Carlos Gracie was adapted so that smaller opponents could defeat much larger opponents" Case finished saying, indicating with a small nod that we could begin.

Case wouldn't make it easy, although I hoped that as in training, he would at least let me pass his guard a couple of times.

"This is a double armlock," after a few seconds of sparring from the knees, Case managed to reach a submission position.

"Oh," I could hear my family say in unison, apparently impressed by the lock.

Tapping Case's arm left me free to prepare once more from the starting positions on our knees.

"This is a kimura," again in a couple of seconds, Case had one of my arms behind my back while calmly explaining to my family before releasing me with a quick tap.

Much more focused, ignoring Gabe's laughter once again, I prepared myself in front of Case, the small shoulder bumps began, in training, while explaining things, Case telegraphed a lot his movements so it would make it much easier to learn, right now, it was almost impossible to try to predict what he was going to do.

Fully focusing on my teacher's eyes, controlling my breathing and paying attention to what I was doing with my hands, in a flinch I saw in his eyes a small movement to my left shoulder.

Without overthinking it, in a rapid counter movement I managed to catch Case's wrist, pulling his guard towards me, quickly moving my feet to send them over his shoulder, "well done," I heard Case say, "this is an armlock," he explained before tapping.

"That was so cool," suddenly very excited, Gabe said, standing up, applauding like the rest of my family, I had almost completely ignored the sound around me.

"I think that's enough," Case calmly said, once again assuming a bow position to end the demonstration.

"Yes, that was pretty fantastic," Bob added smiling broadly to Gabe's comment, "I knew sending you with Case was a great decision."

Several minutes later, Case was ready to return home, and once again, I would be the one driving him.

"You have to come to the next barbecue, when the season starts again, I'll make sure PJ brings you," formally shaking hands, Bob said.

"Sure," smiling again, strangely, Case replied, since I had never seen him have more expressions than a frown, disgust, or mockery, I couldn't tell if the answer was true.

"It was nice meeting you, Case, please take care of PJ," Mom kindly said, also shaking hands with the man.

"That will be my number one priority," Case assured, for a moment looking sinisterly at me.

During the ride, again, Case with his furrowed brow. Beyond the music playing on my car speakers, there was not a single other sound inside the car.

Arriving at the site where Case lived, I stopped, waiting for Case to get out. "It was nice to spend Christmas with your family, thank you," after a sigh, Case murmured, "if you tell Tim what happened today, you will suffer," he continued calmly, it was not a threat, it was definitely a warning.

"I won't tell him," I promised immediately.

Silently nodding, Case opened the door of my car, "when we get back, remember me divide your training by days, three days we'll continue with grappling, and the other three striking," as he got out of the car, it was the last thing he said before closing the door and walking towards his trailer.

Early the next morning, Gabe woke me up excited about opening the gifts.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," being dragged by Gabe, we arrived at the sofa in the living room where I sat down to wait for the other family members whom Gabe obviously took as a task to wake up.

When everyone was in the living room, Gabe began distributing the gifts left under the tree. We had agreed beforehand that the gifts I had brought from Boston would be considered Christmas gifts, so apart from me, everyone had given at least one gift to someone else.

"Thanks, kiddo," with a comic book in my hand, I said, shaking Gabe's hair; it was a smart gift, basically using part of the money Mom or Bob had given him to buy a gift he could also use at some point.

Mom gave me clothes, Bob gave me new running shoes, and Teddy gave me a perfume.

"Now that all the gifts are given, your father and I have a surprise for you, one more gift for the whole family," Mom standing in front of everyone on the living room sofa said making Bob stand next to her "we've been talking with some very kind people," Mom continued, smiling broadly.

"Next week—" Bob seemed to also want to share the news, but Mom interrupted him.

"The Duncans are going to Boston!" Mom exclaimed excitedly, giving a little jump.

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Author Thoughts:

As always, I'm not American, not a doctor, and not a fighter.

Halfway through writing this chapter, my keyboard broke down. Specifically, the space bar stopped working. I bought a fairly cheap replacement, but it's very uncomfortable to type with. What would normally take me a couple of hours to write—about 3,000 words—took much longer due to the discomfort of the new keyboard.

Another chapter has passed, so new thanks are in order. I would like to extend special thanks to:

- keyakedo

- RandomPasserby96

- 11332223

With that said,

I think that's all. As always, if you find any errors, please let me know, and I'll correct them immediately.

Thank you for reading! :D

P.S.: PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW.

P.P.S.: I didn't specify in the opening notes, but the 'filler chapters' will possibly last for the next two chapters; afterward, we'll return to the 'normal' development (though I don't consider what I have planned to be entirely 'filler').