The fines for traffic violations in New York City are actually not that heavy.
But there's one thing that's different from the Eastern Country.
Here, traffic violations are grouped together with minor offenses. Simply put, if you park illegally in the Eastern Country, you might just pay the fine and lose some points, but here, you'll need to spend time to go to traffic court.
So…
Restarting the vehicle and driving towards Guadilla Airport, Gwen was still thankful for the timely exit just now; otherwise, she'd have to take a leave to make a trip to traffic court.
At the same time, she was puzzled.
"It's strange, you can park at the front of Manhattan Court, why can't you do so in Queens?"
"..."
Sitting in the passenger seat, Hawk listened to Gwen's soliloquy, thought for a moment, and curiously said, "Even if you drive out, it should be fine, right? You could talk to Chief Stacy, and it should be fine."
Gwen snapped out of her thoughts, glanced at Hawk, and shook her head.
"No."
"Uh..."
Hawk recalled the family card that Gwen had just shown to the traffic officer.
Gwen seemed to guess Hawk's thoughts and explained with a smile, "Using the family card is fine because everyone uses it, and it's considered a benefit given by the department to police families. But being issued a ticket is different; my dad definitely wouldn't call his friends at court because of a parking ticket. He would very seriously tell me, 'Gwen, you should stand in court and bravely admit your mistake.'"
Explaining, Gwen mimicked the tone and expression of Chief George Stacy from the New York Police Department's Nineteen Division.
Hawk listened to Gwen's explanation and nodded knowingly.
He always thought Chief George Stacy was one of those hard-nosed, strict chiefs who couldn't tolerate any nonsense.
But according to Gwen…
That doesn't seem to be the case.
Indeed.
Movies are always stereotypical.
Forty-five minutes later.
Gwen drove to Guadilla Airport.
Hawk unbuckled his seatbelt and once more thanked Gwen as he got out of the stopped car.
Just as Hawk was about to open the door to get out, Gwen spoke up, "I'm curious about something, Hawk."
Having already pushed the car door open and ready to get out, Hawk turned around to look at Gwen upon hearing her words.
"What?"
"If I don't accept your thanks, what will you do, continue to thank me?"
"..."
Hawk was stumped by Gwen's question.
After a while.
He looked at Gwen, who seemed genuinely curious about the answer with a smile on her face, and thought for a bit.
"Apologize?"
"..."
This time it was Gwen's turn to be silent.
I don't accept your thanks, and you apologize?
…Alright then.
Gwen's smile widened, and looking at Hawk, she said with a laugh, "You say thank you too much; we're friends, and friends don't need to say thank you."
Friends?
Hawk was stunned again.
Although his relationship with Gwen was a bit better than with other classmates, mainly because they overlapped in physics class and were desk partners.
But that's about it.
After all, apart from physics class, he didn't have much interaction with Gwen at school.
To be accurate, he didn't interact much with any students.
However…
Hawk didn't refute Gwen; after all, Gwen had just given him a ride back; it would be impolite to immediately say they're not friends.
He had that much tact.
Soon.
Hawk watched as the car, with Gwen inside, turned around on the spot and sped off, disappearing from his sight. He then turned his gaze towards the temporary shelter.
Evening time.
Manhattan.
Goring Apartments.
Sitting on the sofa wearing home clothes, watching a new episode of 'Desperate Housewives,' Helen Stacy turned her head towards the sound of the door opening.
She saw Chief George Stacy of the Nineteen District, wearing a white shirt, a tie, a black suit, his police badge at his waist, entering from outside.
"Back?"
"Hmm."
George responded, closed the door with his backhand, then looked at Helen, who was sitting on the sofa: "Where's Gwen?"
Helen glanced towards the stairs leading to the second floor.
"In her room."
"Oh."
George nodded and then proceeded to the second floor, where he knocked on his daughter's bedroom door: "Gwen."
Gwen's voice came from inside, "The door's not locked, Dad."
George then pushed open the door.
Inside the room.
Changed into a cute sleepwear, with long smooth blonde hair falling over her shoulders, Gwen sat cross-legged on the chair and looked at the entering George: "Dad, what's up?"
Standing at the doorway, George didn't enter his daughter's room but watched Gwen sitting by the desk, arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe, a smile playing on his lips, "You didn't attend class this afternoon, right?"
Gwen was first taken aback, then it dawned on her.
She lowered her bare, smooth legs from the chair and stood up.
"Did someone contact you?"
"What do you think?"
George laughed and said, "They always call me to verify, just in case someone pretends to be a family cardholder."
Although such things are unlikely to happen.
But…
There's a saying in the Federation: You can be idle, but you can't be unaware.
Those who fake family cards do exist, though they're rare.
However, since it involves external law enforcement, confirming over the phone isn't ideal, so they note the license numbers and report back for verification.
If it's a genuine family card, it's fine.
But if it's found to be fake, no problem, the license plate is noted down, and the person can expect ten or more tickets in a day.
The New York Police Department would make sure that person knows that messing with them comes at a price.
Listening to George, Gwen felt a bit speechless: "Dad, I truly didn't intend to park illegally; clearly, you can park in front of Manhattan Court."
George shrugged: "I'm not really interested in your illegal parking, as the family card serves that purpose."
He's not that rigid.
Family cards can be used, just don't overuse them.
Listening to George, Gwen blinked.
"Then you…"
"I'm interested in why you went to the Queens court this afternoon."
"Oh."
Hearing this, Gwen sat back in her seat and picked up the book she had been reading: "Nothing much, just dropped a classmate at the court for some matters."
George chuckled.
"A male classmate?"
"..."
Gwen put down the book and looked seriously at George, standing in the doorway: "Dad, Hawk and I are just friends."
Not right.
That guy seems quite resistant to being friends with me.
Gwen thought to herself.
She recalled the afternoon when she dropped off Hawk, and after declaring they're friends, the fleeting stiffness on Hawk's face.
...