No Filter

Chapter LXXXI (81)

We left Liam's parents' house today. Liam said farewell to his mom while he had nothing to say to his dad. Some old wounds just never heal, especially if you put pressure on it. But Liam was back. Piece by piece, he became the man that I knew and fell in love with. He was always in there. He was just too afraid to be let out. And I wouldn't blame him.

We came home just before Bear arrived. Bear ran into his father's arms, giving him the biggest and tightest hug. Liam smiled with glee and held onto his son, questioning how he got so big within seven days. We laughed, and then, Bear hugged me as well. He leaned to my ear and whispered, "Thank you." I looked at him and knew what he meant. Our plan was complete. Bear noticed that his father was different than before. He said that his father was better than ever, and I couldn't agree more.

The three of us hang out together just for Bear's last couple of days with us before he had to move back in with his mom. He was joyous to see his mom again, but he was sadden by the thought of leaving. I will miss him and our adventures together so much.

On his last day, I packed up his clothes and put them in his suitcase. He was eating lunch with his father. Cheryl will be here in a couple of minutes, and I couldn't resist but feel like I was giving up my own child. And I shouldn't feel that way. Bear was more than just a friend to me over the months. I felt like a mother to him at times, teaching him and lecturing him. I've been there when he had nightmares. But I have to let him go. My eyes puffed, just thinking about the moment he will no longer live in this house.

I stroll his suitcase downstairs and set it by the couch in the living room. I enter the dining room where laughter filled the room. I smile and watch the Liam and Bear play and joke around with one another with ice cream. I lean against the wall and cross my arms.

In a short moment, I wonder how Liam is going to react when I tell him about traveling around the world and performing in different states. He might not like it, but I hope he supports me. But a part of me fears for the worst. Like, what if we drift apart? Or what if he goes back to being the man he was before?

I shake those negative thoughts away and pay attention to this moment. I watch Bear grab a spoonful of his ice cream and fling it at Liam. The ice cream flew over and splatted on Liam's forehead. I cover my mouth and chuckle silently. Liam chuckles harmoniously, shaking his head. Their laughs were so similar.

I stand up straight and turn around, leaving them be. I walk pass the doorway until Bear calls out my name, "Ms. Hernandez?"

I stop and turn. Liam stands up, gesturing his hand to my seat across from them. "Please," Liam says.

I skeptically look and shake my head. "I—"

"Come here, or we'll have no choice but to ice cream you!" Bear exclaims.

"Okay, Okay," I said, raising my hands in forfeit. I walk over and take a seat. Liam rests his arm behind Bear's chair and the table and looks at me, intrigued. "What?" I ask.

He shakes his head. "Nothing," he smiles, but there was something fishy in his tone. I couldn't pinpoint what it was.

"Ms. Hernandez," Bear begins, "are you going to come visit me? Are you going to stay with my Dad?"

"I would like to visit," I answer, "but it depends on where I am."

Liam's eyebrows furrow. I swallow hard, feeling my fingertips freezing. I bite my tongue and avoid eye contact with him.

"I'm going to miss you," Bear says. "You're my best friend, Ms. Hernandez."

I coo with a smile and reply, "Why do you call me that? I'm not your teacher anymore. Call me Ally."