To celebrate the Fourth of July, Max and Freak are allowed to go and see the fireworks together. As Max points out, this is kind of a big deal since he was never able to go see the fireworks by himself. In Chapter 6, “Close Encounter of the Turd Kind,” Max and Freak bump into Tony D. and his gang. Max knows they are trouble and wants to stay away, but Tony D. picks on them for their size and appearance. Freak starts smart-talking Tony D. and calls him a “cretin.” Just when it’s about to get violent, cop cars roll by, making Tony D. and his gang run away from Max and Freak. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only time they cross paths with him.

When Max and Freak actually run away from Tony D. it is in Chapter 7, “Walking High Above the World,” on pages 34-40. The fireworks end and Max and Freak are on their way home when Tony D. and his gang show up again. In order to escape, Max puts Freak on his shoulders. Freak becomes Max’s eyes and brain, and Max becomes Freak’s feet. Freak gives Max directions, and at first, Max isn’t sure if he should follow him, but he begins to trust Freak and goes with it. They escape Tony D. and his gang by running into the muddy, mucky pond. Because of Max’s size, he is able to escape the sinking of the pond whereas Tony D. and members of his gang submerge under the water. Freak spots some officers and calls them over for “assistance.” They recognize Max because of his father, but Freak kindly corrects them and says, “We’re Freak the Mighty, that’s who we are. We’re nine feet tall in case you haven’t noticed” (39-40).