It works for them... why not?

Mother

MOTHER

Liam and Lydia stared at each other for a long moment.

Until Delia, angrily, banged on the glass from outside and shouted -SAY SOMETHING ALREADY- which startled them both.

Finally, Liam says –Hello- and Lydia responds with a curt –Hello-

After taking a breath, Liam begins in earnest -It's not that I don't want to say goodbye to Grandpa, really...- Lydia comments -I know...-

He continues -I'm really busy...- She replies -I can tell...-

Liam asks -So why are you coming?- Lydia responds -Is it a crime to want to see my son?- She's also clearly annoyed.

He says -I really have a lot to do today...- and she says -Yeah, that's obvious...- brushing over a poorly concealed mark on his neck.

Liam asks, annoyed -Ahhh, so you came all the way here to go "there"?- Lydia replies in the same tone -No, we're not going "there"... Believe me, the last thing I need right now is to go "there"-

They stared at each other again, until finally Lydia, fearing that Delia would interrupt again, said -Look, now that your grandfather... is gone- letting her eyes express pain for a moment, and then she continued -I realize how ungrateful I was... and not just to him-

She looks at his face and continues -I moved to live with my aunt and never came back. If I was lucky, I called him once a month, and every time he called, it always ended in the same old argument-

She remained silent for a little longer, somewhat lost in her own thoughts, and finally continued -... maybe it's hypocritical of me to pretend it's any different for us... but I just don't want you to attend a stranger's funeral in 20 years-

Liam says -Mom, don't talk like that, please. You're going to live a thousand years, I'm sure of it...- finally looking her in the eyes.

She smiles sadly and answers -Now I can't stop thinking about everything I never told him, all the calls I thought about making, all the vacations I swore we'd visit them, I even thought about going with them and not to California... now it's too late- with a very marked sadness.

Her son looks at her sadly and answers -Mom, I'll try to call more, I promise, really...- but his mother stops him and says -No, calm down... I know what this is like, this is how it should be, you'll be out of here soon too...-

Which provoked a nervous look from her son, which she preferred not to comment on, and she continued -...and you'll find your own way... just... the next time I call you, try not to make it your priority to hang up as soon as possible-

He looks at her and sadly nods, saying -Fine...- but she continues -And if you need help, never hesitate to ask, please, whenever and with whatever...-

Liam nods and is about to say more, but Lydia continues -I had them living like dogs in that disgusting pigsty, just out of pride for not asking my father for help and...-

His son clarifies -Well, that's not how I remember it, but...- and then Lydia sighs and says, -And as for your other... "activities"?-

Liam angrily complains -Mom...- in an annoyed tone, but Lydia continues -I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, I'm just saying please be careful, because you never know... I was young too, you can't imagine the things that...-

Dan says uncomfortably -Look, Mrs... I don't think this is a topic for...- but she continues -It's like riding a bike... I know you can do it on your own, I know you know the road well, and I know it's absurd for me to ride next to you, but you can break your neck in a fall, and anything can appear, a pothole, or a rock, or a half-rotten dead dog with all its guts...-