No Filter

Chapter LXIX (69)

Bear and I walk together on the field near the farm with Gravy on his daily walk. I hold onto his leash. The sun was shining and the breeze was soft. Today was a great day to go on a walk and hang out with Bear. He asks me to help him since Mabel and Lizzie were busy, and I was more than happy to.

Just two more months before the school year will be over. Bear will return home and be with his mom, whom he misses his mom very much. We talked about it a couple of times, and I could relate to how he was feeling. I tell him to be strong and try to get through the days because that helped me a lot when my mom passed away.

I want to check on my dad. But I don't when's the perfect time. So after his surgery, I can move in and help take care of him. I don't particularly know how Liam would feel about that, but I just want his support. I know I'm not going to stay here forever, so I really want to make my remaining two months as memorable as I can.

"Ms. Hernandez," Bear begins, "how much do you miss your family?"

"I miss them a lot," I said.

"So, are you going to leave my dad when I leave?" He asks.

I crease brows and look into his eyes. Hope was written in them that I wouldn't. I couldn't answer him after noticing. "I don't know," I reply. "Maybe. Your dad and I will be able to communicate still. It will just be a long distant relationship."

He nods his head. "Do you love him?" He blurts.

My eyes widen, surprise he would ask. I nod my head and smile. "I do," I said.

"Then why don't you stay?"

"Because my job will be over, and I have my father to take care of," I answer. He frowns a little. "What's the matter?"

"I'm scared my dad might go back to being the guy he was before you and I came," he explains. "He was not the most functional parent. He was cruel, I heard. And always angry."

"Why?" I ask, creasing my brows.

Bear shrugs, "I don't know. My mom didn't want to tell me why he changed. She said whatever happened scarred him, and he was no longer the guy she loved." I bat my eyes. "By the look on your face, I can see that he didn't tell you anything of that sort."

I was curious. What was Liam hiding from me that scarred him?

I feel a tug on my hand. I look in front of me and see Gravy in a hurry to run toward something. I pick up my pace. Gravy turns around and begins to run back to the house. Bear and I run after him.

We ran all the way to the farm. I wonder how far Gravy could smell. We ran through the pigpen, and Gravy ran around a tree, sniffing something. He stops and looks at something on the ground. I bent down and take a look. My heart rate beats faster, seeing the butts of a couple cigarettes burnt out.

My brows crease. I pick up Gravy, and he squirms in my arms at first. I rub his fur, and he rests his head on my arm.

"Come on," I said. "Let's get out of here." I stand up and carry Gravy in my arms before they got tired. The three of us head back to the mansion.

We head in the dining room, and I set Gravy on the ground. He went to go lay down on his bed. Mabel and Lizzie set up the table for lunch. I help them prepare as Bear takes a seat.

I let out a moan, smelling the delicious dish. My stomach growls, and I was so ready to devour the food. Liam enters the dining room and greets us with a smile. "How is everyone doing today?" He asks.

"Great," Bear smiles. Gravy barks in response.

Liam takes a seat beside his son, and I sit in front of them, having the cigarettes in mind. "Um," I begin, "You wouldn't lie to me, right?"

Liam creases his brows. "Why would you ask that? Of course. I will never lie to you."

I swallow and explain, "I have to tell you that Gravy found some cigarettes behind a tree around the farm. I am concern of who smoked them."

Liam's eyes shot up a little, looking a little pale. "Oh," he says. He scratches the back of his neck. "I'm pretty sure I saw Nate smoking a couple when we were feeding the pigs."

"Nate?" I question.

"I know it's hard to believe, but I wouldn't lie to you if it wasn't for a good reason," he says.

I nod my head. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Nate around lately. "Where is Nate?"

Liam answers, "I let him take a vacation."

"What?" I said. "Why?"

"I thought it was best for him to rethink his decisions," Liam says. "And maybe he could find help. Not to mention, he's been getting on my nerves with his attitude. I had enough and ask if he would like a time out. And he was more than happy for one."

"Liam," I begin, "I thought you had your anger under control?"

"It is under control," He rebuttals. "But there are just times where I go and back forth. I can't really help it. Sometimes, I'm angry. Sometimes, I'm upset. And other times, I'm peaceful."

Bear raises his voice, "Dad, don't worry. You have Ms. Hernandez to keep you in check."

Liam smiles and looks at me as he speaks to his son. "I know," he replies. He shifts his eyes on his son and says, "Now, eat your fried chicken."

I was worried though. I feel a pit in my stomach, telling me that he was lying. If he was back to smoking, that could explain why he's been bipolar. If he has, I would've smelled it on him. I guess, I would just have to keep my senses in check.

Liam smiles, and I rid myself of those doubts. I know who Liam is, and I know he isn't that kind of person. He hasn't shown much sign of anger, and I believe he has made progress from the first time we met in August. Bear and I would know it too.

Ring! Ring!

My phone goes off, and I shyly excuse myself. I walk out of the dining room and into a private corner. I pull out my phone and look at the ID: Selena. I answer the call and place my phone against my ear. "Hello?" I greet.

"Ally, you would never guess what I did," she says. By her tone, I know she was trying to hold back her excitement, but it was slowly slipping. It feels nice to hear her voice again.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Demi and I just got you an audition for a broadway musical," she screams, making me lose my hearing for a second.

"What?!" I exclaim, comprehending her words. "Really? Where? When?"

"Demi and I will fill you in on that when they call us back, but you are for sure going to have an audition," she says. "I'm so excited for you."

"Me too," I said. This could be my break. The chance I've wanting to get. My two favorite hobbies, acting and singing, combined together. I don't know if I'll be that good enough for them to pick me because I haven't acted in a while, but I am wishing for the best. "Thank you. Thank you guys so much."

"Okay, well, I'll call you when they call back," she says. She hangs up the phone, and I hold my phone tightly.I wet my lips, getting jitters in my stomach. After a moment, I walk back to the dining room and take a seat in my previous spot.

"Who was that?" Liam asks.

"My cousin, Selena," I answer.

"What did she want?" He asks.

I smile and reply, "You'll know soon enough."

He gives me testy eyes for a moment before we continue eating lunch.