Start Small, End Big.

Racing? I'm Disappointed

Liam sits on the couch in the spacious family living room of his home. Across from him, his parents, William and Ava, wear stern expressions as the dim ceiling light casts a soft glow on the coffee table between them. William's voice is tight with anger as he breaks the tense silence.

William: Liam, we need to talk. What the hell is going on?

Liam looks at his parents, a mix of defiance and frustration flashing across his face.

Liam: I don't know what you're talking about, Dad.

Ava's disappointment is evident in her voice as she interjects, her tone tinged with both concern and disbelief.

Ava: Ne nous mens pas (Don't lie to us), Liam. We've heard rumors about you participating in street races.

Liam stands abruptly, his irritation flaring.

Liam: So what if I have? It's my life, isn't it?

William's temper boils over as his voice rises, echoing through the room.

William: Your life? Do you think risking it for some stupid thrill is acceptable?

Liam's voice cracks as he snaps back, his passion overriding his composure.

Liam: It's not stupid! It's exhilarating! It's the only thing that makes me feel alive!

Ava's voice trembles as tears well up in her eyes. Her worry for Liam pierces through her words.

Ava: Liam, we're scared. We're scared of losing you.

Liam's frustration doesn't waver as he retorts.

Liam: Well, maybe if you cared about what I wanted instead of trying to control every part of my life, you wouldn't have to worry about losing me!

William slams his hand on the coffee table, the sound punctuating the heated exchange.

William: How dare you speak to us like that! We're your parents!

Liam raises his voice, his anger bubbling to the surface.

Liam: Yeah, and you're supposed to support me—not suffocate me with your rules and expectations!

Ava's tears spill as her voice softens, the emotional weight of the argument taking its toll.

Ava: Liam, please... We just want you to be safe.

Liam's tone lowers but carries a sharp edge of resentment.

Liam: If you really wanted me to be safe, you'd trust me to make my own decisions instead of dictating my every move!

The room falls silent, the air thick with tension. Liam glares at his parents before turning away. William sighs heavily, his voice quieter but still firm.

William: We're just worried about you, Liam. We love you. You know that. We just want you to be safe—that's our job.

Liam shakes his head in disbelief.

Liam: If you loved me, you'd let me live my life on my own terms.

With those words, Liam storms out of the room, ignoring his parents' pleas.

William: Liam! Liam! Come back! Don't walk away from this conversation!

Liam mutters under his breath as he walks down the hall.

Liam: More like an attack...

Ava calls after him, her voice breaking.

Ava: Come on, sweetheart, please! Come back and talk to us! We just want what's best for you!

Liam: I'm done.

He slams his bedroom door, leaving his parents in stunned silence. William runs a hand down his face and curses under his breath.

William: Dammit...

Ava moves toward Liam's room but is stopped by William's outstretched hand.

William: No, hon. Let him cool off. We don't want to make it worse.

Ava: We can't just leave it like this. He loves that car. And even if we tried, we couldn't take it away—he saved up for it himself.

William hesitates before nodding.

William: Yeah, but if he keeps this up, that car might take him away from us for good. I just thought he was practicing—not racing.

Ava looks at him, confused.

Ava: You knew he was practicing?

William: He told me he took a lap once. And he did great, Ava—like professionally great. I thought maybe he'd keep practicing, go to racing school, and get his license. I wanted him to live his dream, but now... I don't know if I made the right choice.

Ava: Why didn't you tell me?

William: He asked me not to. He didn't want you to be upset. But I guess that didn't work out.

Ava sighs, her voice laced with guilt.

Ava: Est-ce que je suis méchante (Am I that mean)?

William: You'd be surprised.

Ava looks at William, the weight of the situation pressing down on them both.

Ava: Let's just give him space. He's always angry when we bring this up. We can't keep doing this.

William nods reluctantly, and they both retreat, leaving Liam alone with his thoughts.

*****

In his room, Liam sits on the edge of his bed, wrestling with the storm of emotions churning inside him. Independence, ambition, frustration, and guilt swirl together, leaving him torn between his love for racing and his parents' fears. As the night deepens, so does the divide within their family, leaving all of them grappling with questions of trust, love, and the balance between freedom and safety.