Jack & Destiny

Chapter 12: Liam

I met Liam a few days after I got to my grandma's house in Saskatoon.

He was a friend of Chuck's.

We were introduced and early on I saw that he was interested in me.

I wasn't.

There was a lot going on in my life at the time.

I was still reeling from the fact that I actually left my parents house without even saying goodbye.

Not that they would care where I go or what I do.

My parents were deep into their vice and was passed out most of the time.

They don't notice me anymore.

Hell.

They don't even know themselves or cared to find out what was going on around them.

Liam and I got to know each other better during a party.

My cousins were not having any of my drama.

They practically dragged me to the car to go with them.

Grandma took their side.

She said I was young and should have fun.

I was sitting on a porch swing when he saw me.

He reintroduced himself again, we talked and he made me laugh with his stories of farm life.

There was one particular incident involving a tractor race where he almost fell on a ditch face first.

Liam made a catastrophic situation a laughing matter that before he was done with his story, tears were rolling down my face.

Just like me, his family didn't have much.

He always bemoaned the fact that he has seven siblings because his parents did not believe in contraception.

Liam would go to school hungry because there wasn't much to go around.

Instead of eating his share, he would give it to the younger kids.

When Liam and I broke up, he made it clear that it was the end of us.

Now, here I am standing in front of him.

He looked older somewhat.

But his laser blue eyes and honey colored hair were brighter than ever.

"Destiny?" He was as surprised as I am.

"I thought this Liam guy was just your namesake."

"Yeah. Liam Smith is a pretty common name isn't it?"

"I guess."

He smiled.

I gave him the bags of food.

I was about to turn around but he gently pulled me by the wrist.

"Here," He fished his wallet from the back of his jeans but I held up my hand.

"No. It's fine. I really have to go. I have another delivery waiting."

"Can I at least give you my number?"

"What for?" The words came out sharper than I expected.

"Look, I felt bad for what I did. Leaving you like that."

"It was for the better. I mean, look at you now." I glanced at the house he was living in.

"Yeah but it wasn't the same without you."