Exciti

Chapter 8 (Liam)

The Laptop screen in the kitchen cast a watery glow on the dimmed kitchen's walls. Liam saw his father talking at the screen. He didn't need to ask, the glances his father threw his way were clue enough as to who was Skyping them.

His dad's burly figure, gained from his years of work on construction sites, looked slouched as he hung up and came back into the small living room. His expression was guarded.

The couch dipped under his father's weight, "You need to talk to him. You guys have been friends since forever!" his father signed.

"I will, in school, tomorrow," Liam signed the words fast then tucked his hand in his pockets, hoping that his dad didn't notice them shaking.

His dad had a knack for seeing through his lies, though. His chest heaved and he wiped his hand over his balding grey hair. "I know that seeing Adam at the hospital was a shock, but he is starting to get better. He now needs his friend to help him recover."

Liam inhaled to steady his emotions. His dad didn't understand, no one would! How can he help Adam recover, when he knew his best friend wasn't ill at all?! His mind took him back to the hospital visit, conjuring up the image of Adam's face. His friend looked trapped, desperate for the world to believe him. Liam's shame flared in his chest, he abandoned Adam when he ran out of the hospital like that.

But what other choice did I have? Liam thought. His dad and Adam's mother might think he saved the day, but he knew better. Even his dad would think something was wrong with him if he told them that Adam had a sister no one remembers and that the last thing he remembered before blacking out and waking up to a seizing Adam, was helping up an old lady.

He could almost visualize his father's shifting expression if he told him the truth.

He would think he was as ill as Adam. Maybe even as ill as his mother.

His dad put his calloused, gentle hand on Liam's hair. Liam hesitated for a few seconds, but he ended up looking at him again. "Son, I know it is a heavy burden. But that uncomfortable weight on your shoulder? That is your friend leaning on you. If you move away now..." he shook his head.

Liam swallowed through the thickness in his throat. He knew his dad was talking about Adam, but the words brought Tamara's face to the forefront of his mind. He hoped she was alright. She was always very nice to him.

He set his jaw and stood up, avoiding eye contact with his dad. "I will talk to him tomorrow," he signed.

He wasn't lying this time.