No Filter

Chapter XLIII (43)

One birthday after another. We celebrated Bear's birthday with a couple of his friends from the park. Their parents came along too. They brought presents, and I helped make some baked goods. Liam received a present with a letter from Cheryl to give to Bear. At first, he hesitated to giving him the gift, which led to a small argument between the two of us, but in the end, he decided to do the right thing and gave his son the present his mom gave him. It was a long night. But now, there were toy cars around the house. Every once in a while, I would find one and ask Bear to pick them up. And he picked them up and carried them to his room.

One day after another. The town was holding a picnic for students and their parents. It is held so families could get to know one another. Bear wanted to go because his friend Freddy was going. He grabbed a flyer from the post and tugged my arm until I said yes, but I told him it wasn't up to me. He has to go ask his father. Bear pouted.

When we got home, I ran up to his room without a word. I sigh heavily and walk into the living room where his father was. Liam sat on the couch with his reading glasses, viewing the newspaper. I flip my hair back and walk to him. I pull out the flyer in my handbag. I unravel it and raise my voice, "Mr. Payne."

He lifts his eyes, staying in the same position.

I continue, "There is an annual picnic for the families in the town. Bear wanted to know if you would like to go with him."

"What's it for?" He asks.

"Just to greet and meet," I answer.

He drops the newspaper in his lap and removes his glasses. "Bear wants to go?" I nod my head yes, hesitantly. The look he was giving me send me chills. He sighs heavily and nods his head. "Okay, we can go."

"Really?!" I was surprised. "Bear is going to be happy."

"Just tell me what day it is,"

"It's this Saturday," I respond, and his eyes widen a little. Something washed over him, contrasting the person that just was in front of me.

"Actually, I can't," he says. "We can't go. Or I can't. I, uh...um, I have to go to a meeting that day."

"A meeting?" I question, creasing my brows.

He nods his head. "Yes. A meeting about the farm. Now, go" He gestures for me to leave. "Go and plan something for Saturday."

"Are you sure? You seem a little tensed," I said.

He shakes his head. "Nothing. No reason. You and Bear can go together without me. Now, leave me be."

I turn around, puzzled. He was weird. Unless... he is sneaking off somewhere and maybe with a girl? I don't know why I am thinking about this. But it kind of makes sense. He is seeing someone behind Bear because he might be afraid that Bear might not accept her as a possible new mom.

I shake my head. Why would I be thinking about this? It isn't my problem. And plus, he might not even be seeing anyone. He might just have an actual meeting that he doesn't want to attend. It's whatever.

Speaking of Liam, he hasn't been smoking nor drinking, and I've been really proud of him. I guess, he really wants to be good for Bear, and I adore it so much.

I carry on with the rest of the week. I told Bear what his father said, and he was disappointed. I didn't want to look at his face. But I told him that Mabel and I will take him, and he grew happy. But I bet if his father wanted to go, he would've been a lot happier.

Saturday arrived shortly. Bear and I walk hand in hand outside of the house. There were two cars parked in front of the house. Nate was behind the wheels of the first while Mabel was behind the last. Liam got inside the first car, and they soon rode off. I open the passenger door, and Bear and I got in. Mabel turned on the engine and began driving on the dirt road. We enter the main street, and I see Liam's car up ahead. I was too curious to know why he didn't come.