Chapter 5 - The Confrontation
The silence in the narrow hallway of our apartment was deafening. I held my breath, waiting for Liam’s reaction. A part of me was terrified; what if Liam wanted a relationship with him? What if the allure of a wealthy, successful father was too much for an eighteen-year-old boy who had grown up clipping coupons to resist? Ryan immediately launched into his practiced monologue. He reached out to touch Liam’s shoulder, talking about how proud he was, how the video moved him to tears, and how he wanted to make up for lost time by paying for Liam's college, perhaps even starting a joint business venture based on Liam's sudden popularity.
Liam didn't move. He let Ryan talk for a full three minutes. When Ryan finally ran out of breath, expecting a tearful reunion, Liam calmly reached up and removed Ryan's hand from his shoulder as if brushing away an annoying insect. "You saw a video," Liam said, his voice eerily calm. "You saw millions of views. You saw my mother’s story being celebrated. And you thought this was your cue to walk in and play the hero?"
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"Son, you have to understand, I was young—" Ryan started, but Liam cut him off sharply.
"Don't call me son. My mother was young, too. She was sixteen. She was terrified. But she stayed. She worked until her back gave out to feed me. She wore shoes with holes in them so I could have cleats for soccer. Where were you when we were eating boxed mac and cheese for a week straight because the rent was raised? Where were you when she cried herself to sleep worrying about my medical bills?" Liam took a step forward, forcing Ryan to take a step back into the rain. "I made that dress for her, to honor her. The only thing you represent is the reason she had to struggle in the first place. We don't want your money. We don't want your fake apologies. We don't need a father. I have everything I need right here." Liam gently took my hand. "Don't ever come near my mother again." He slammed the door in Ryan's stunned face, sliding the deadbolt into place. I burst into tears, leaning against the door, as Liam just held me, proving once again that he was far more of a man than Ryan would ever be.
