No Filter

Chapter XLVIII (48)

Ever since I came back, Liam has been good. He hasn't smoked nor drink, and I'm happy that he doesn't. Dinah began to contemplate the idea that Liam only stopped because he didn't want to lose me. But I disagreed. He wanted to be better for his son, and I admire that about him. Sure, he begged for me to come back, but it was only to teach his son.

However, ever since I came back, he has been a little distant from me. We had small talks from here and there but nothing serious like before. The only time we talked was when we were in the same room as Bear, and even then, it was about the curriculum or about Bear.

December was here and so was the cold. And it was about that time of year again. Decorations were hanged around the house, and I feel like home. My dad, for the past two years, has made the two Christmas as special as he can from the loss of time. Hopefully, I can come home for the holidays. This semester was wrapping up nicely.

I mix the cup of hot chocolate and put a peppermint candy cane in there. The sweet, warm, and chocolate-y smell soothed me, and I feel joyful. Memories of childhood passes my mind, and I smile.

I pick the other cup of hot cocoa and carry the two mugs in my hand over to the dining table. Bear sat well in his seat. I place a mug in front of him. He smiles and says, "Thank you."

"You are welcome," I reply, rubbing his hair.

I take a seat next to him and stir my mug. Bear moans. "This is delicious. But can you put marshmallows in mine? My mom usually put them in there, and it warms up my stomach and makes me a lot happier."

I nod my head. "Of course," I said.

I stand up and walk into the kitchen. Lizzie was putting up the plates. I ask her, "Hey, Lizzie, do you know if we have any marshmallows?"

Lizzie creases her brows. "I would check the fridge. Or the storage room."

I smile. "Thank you." She sends a warm smile and returns to putting the plates up. I open the refrigerator and see the bag of marshmallows resting on the third shelf. I grab it and head back into the dining room. Bear darts his eyes on me and smiles, seeing the bag in my hand. I chuckle and open the bag up when I reach him.

"Now, how much do you want?" I ask.

"My mom puts five," he answers.

I counted five marshmallows and drop them in his mug. He stirs them and takes a sip. A moan escapes his mouth. "Delicious," he comments.

"I'm glad you think so," I respond. I sat down and take a sip of the hot cocoa. The warm, thick fluid swirls in my mouth. I taste the chocolate and the peppermint. I swallow and wet the chocolate from my lips. "So, Bear, tell me what you want from Santa?"

Bear thinks about it. "I would like a pet, but my dad doesn't want to take care of one. He says the last time he had one, he got really sad when the dog died."

I coo. "Oh," I said. "That's sad, but that's part of having a pet. What kind of pet do you want?"

"A dog," he answers, and I remember Watson, the German Shepard Liam and I adopted when we were in high school. He must be in a good place right now. I miss him just thinking about it.

"That's great," I said. "Make sure you put that in your letter to Santa."

"Letter?" He questions.

I explain, "One of my friend - her name is Camila. She and her sister send Santa letters filled with what they want for Christmas, and Santa reads them and gives them it if they are nice. So I suggest that you write them down, so Santa can read them and give you your presents."

"Really?" He questions. I reassured him with a nod.

He returns to drinking his hot cocoa. I take another moment before I stand up. "Bear, I'm going to talk to your father about something. Please stay here, and if you're done, please head back to the classroom and pick a book to read."

He nods his head. "Okay," he responds.

I exit the kitchen and walk up the stairs. I walk down the hallway and knock on Liam's office door. After a moment, I hear him holler, "Come in!"

I open the door and see him shutting down his laptop. His eyes widen as if he was surprised to see me. He gestures his hand at a seat. "Sit down," he says.

I close the door behind and take a seat on the chair in front of him. He relaxes his elbows on the table and lock his fingers. "Is there something you would like to discuss with me?" He asks.

"The end of the semester is close by, and I've been wondering when I can go home for the holidays," I said. "It's been a while since I've seen my dad, and I just want to see how he is."

His brows furrow. "You guys don't video chat or what?" He questions blankly, and I didn't bat an eye. His tone wasn't pleasing.

"Is that a joke?" I ask.

He sighs and leans back against his seat. "I'm serious," he says. "I don't need you to head back just yet. You've still have a lot to teach, and don't forget that you have to plan for next semester."

I nod my head. "I understand. I will get down to that, but I just want to go home. Just for at least a day to spend with them."

"My answer is no," he says. My brows crease. "You are not allowed to leave this house."

"I am not allow to leave? I'm not a prisoner," I said. "Unless you think that I am."

He shakes his head. "No," he says. "My answer is no. And I'm not going to give you a reason. Just know that I said no."

I catch my breath and blink a couple times. "Fine," I reply. I stand up. "Thank you for listening." I walk out of the room and channel my anger.