Walsh turned sharply.
"Stay out of this."
Anthony raised his hands.
"I'm only trying to help."
"I don't need your help."
Several parents moved closer to their children.
The children noticed the adults' expressions.
Their laughter faded.
Caleb looked up at his father.
"Daddy?"
Marcus crouched slightly.
"It's okay, buddy."
"Are we in trouble?"
"No."
Walsh overheard.
"Maybe you should teach him some respect before he grows up thinking rules don't apply to him."
Marcus straightened.
His face hardened.
"Don't talk to my son like that."
Walsh stepped forward.
"What did you say?"
Marcus kept his voice low.
"I said, please don't talk to my seven-year-old son like that."
For a moment, Walsh stared at him.
Then he shoved Marcus hard in the chest.
Marcus stumbled backward.
Caleb gasped.
"Daddy!"
Anthony stepped forward instinctively.
Fletcher raised one hand.
"Everybody stay calm."
Marcus caught his balance.
He looked down at his son.
The little boy's eyes were wide with fear.
Marcus placed a protective hand on his shoulder.
He could feel anger rising through his chest.
A powerful, immediate anger.
But he knew that if he responded physically, the situation could become far more dangerous.
He opened his hands.
"Officer, don't touch me again."
Walsh laughed.
"Or what?"
Marcus said nothing.
Walsh stepped closer.
"That's what I thought."
Then his eyes moved toward the birthday cake.
A beautiful round cake covered in white frosting.
The Superman emblem shone in red and yellow across the top.
Seven tiny candles stood near the edge.
Walsh stared at it.
Then he looked back at Marcus.
"You want to make this a big show?"
Marcus followed his gaze.
"Officer, leave the children's things alone."
Walsh moved toward the table.
Fletcher looked alarmed.
"Derek."
Walsh ignored him.
Marcus stepped sideways.
"Sir, that's my son's birthday cake."
Walsh grabbed the cake board.
Caleb made a frightened sound.