No Filter

Chapter XLV (45)

Liam's POV

I sat behind my desk. My elbow rests on the table as I place my hand over my forehead. Last night's encounter replayed in my mind thousands of time, and I couldn't get rid of the look Ally gave me when she saw Naomi and me in the room. She was shocked, but most importantly, I feel like I let her down. I couldn't let her think of me like that. It was the alcohol. The alcohol turned me into another person, and I don't have as much control as I used do. I am disappointed with myself. I'm glad Bear wasn't home to see that.

I hear a knock at the door and raise my head, hoping it would be Ally behind it. The door creaks open, and I smile, seeing her at the doorway. "Ally," I mumble.

She looks tired and exhausted. Her hands held a couple of papers. "Mr. Payne, are you busy?" she asks.

I shake my head no and gesture my hand at an empty seat. "You can come in and sit."

She nods her head and breathes out. She walks around the chair and takes a seat. Her eyes were glued to the papers in her trembled hands. "Um," she begins, "can you sign these?"

"What is it?" I ask.

She hands me the papers, and I take them in my hands. I look at them and read the header. It was her resignation letter. I crease my brows and stare at her. "You're resigning?" She fell silent. "Why? Is it because of last night?"

"I just don't think this job fits me," she says. "There's too much problems I've been having, and I can't help but feel unexpected about certain things."

"I thought you enjoyed teaching my son," I said.

She replies, "Oh, I do. I love teaching Bear. He is a bright student and a caring son. I know you are proud."

"Then what's the problem?" I ask.

"Are you going to stop?" she asks, staring deeply into my eyes. I blink, knowing what she was talking about.

"No," I said. "I can't. And you don't understand."

"Then tell me," she said. "I don't want you to ruin yourself because I...I care about you. And you are stubborn and not a very good listener, so I can't bear to watch you, so I have to leave. I called one of my friends, and they already got me a new job. I'm going to be working at SPS, a new fast food restaurant that opened up. I'll try to find the other money to help my dad. So can you please sign it?"

"So you're just going to leave?" I question.

"If you stop drinking and smoking, then I won't," she said.

I look back at the papers and look on the bottom page for the line. I hesitantly pick up my pen and press the ink on the line. I glance at her, seeing the disappointment in her eyes and I thought to myself it was another person I disappointed. It was only going to be a matter of time before this would happen anyway. I turn back to the paper and sign my name on the line. I hope she can forgive me. I hand her the papers, and she looked stunned. I turn my eyes away from her, so she wouldn't interfere with my...feelings.

"Please tell Bear that I enjoyed being his teacher and his friend," she said.

I nod my head. I watch her stand up in a pleasant manner. And I watch her leave. And that scared me somehow. That could be the last time she walked in and out of my office. I curse under my breath and smack the table.
—
Ally gathered her suitcase after her meeting with me and left before my son could come home from his sleepover at Freddy's mom's house. I don't know how he is going to react when I tell him, if I could tell him. Ally takes care of him a lot. I hope he understands.

I watch him eat his spaghetti and smile, seeing the mess he made on his shirt and his face. "Bear, I'm glad you are enjoying your spaghetti, but after you're done, Lizzie is going to help you change."

"What about Ms. Hernandez? Where is she? I haven't seen her," he asks, and it stains my heart.

"She—" I pause, panicking at the moment. I couldn't tell him. I didn't. "She's busy at the moment."

"Where is she though? I want her to join us," he says with a smile.

"Bear, she isn't going to come down," I said.

"Why not?" He asks.

"Because she went on a little vacation," I said. "But don't worry about school. She and I made sure that Mabel and Lizzie help teach you just like the way Ms. Hernandez did."

He pouts a little and nods his head. "Okay. I miss her," he says. "I hope she comes home quick."

I put on a smile to hide the disappointed look I'd imagine he'd had if he knew. "Me too," I said.

Bear finishes up his dinner and chugs his cup of water. I remember in the beginning, he would only eat a small portion of his food, but Ally taught him not to waste food and to only get the amount he should eat. It was a cherish-able time.

I call Lizzie and Mabel to come into the room. They stood beside Bear, and I order, "Clean this little one up and please, take care of the dishes."

"Yes, sir," Mabel said. She grabs the plate while Lizzie takes Bear upstairs.

I climb upstairs as well. I turn and stood in front of Ally's door. I open it and feel the emptiness in the room. Her bed was made neatly, and some of her things were still in the room. But she was going to come back for them later. Maybe by that time, I can convince her to come back. Cause I want her back.

I don't know why, but she just makes my life easier and less lonely than what I had. And without her, I feel empty. I have to get her back before Bear finds out. And I'm willing to do anything to get her back. It's only been hours since her departure, but I miss her.