- 9.
After I married Jake, the Callahan’s gave us a
big villa in a nice part of town.
When Jake and I got there, Liam and his
girlfriend were standing out front.
I got out of the car and walked over to them.
“What are you two doing at my house?”
Maisie hid behind Liam, looking like I was
about to attack her.
Liam puffed up his chest.
“Your house? This villa was Mom’s wedding
gift to me! I should be asking what you’re
doing here!”
The house manager, Lee, saw Jake and me
and rushed over. “Mr. Callahan, Mrs.
Callahan! Welcome.”
Before I could move, Liam grabbed Maisie’s
hand and tried to push past him.
Lee blocked them. “I’m sorry, sir, you can’t
enter the property.”
“What are you talking about, Lee? This is my house! I was here the other day. Are you trying to get fired?”
<
“This property no longer belongs to you. I had the locks changed. If you try to break in, it’s trespassing. And you have no authority to fire
me.” Jake said calmly. Then, turning to Lee,
“You did a good job. I’ll make sure you get a
raise.”
Liam had lived like a prince for twenty years,
and everyone had treated him with deference.
He thought it was because he was so great.
He was stunned.
Maisie looked at Jake with big, pleading eyes. “Janice, Jake, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude, but…”
Jake cut her off.
“If you know youde
<
“If you know you’re intruding, why aren’t you
leaving?”
He didn’t even need my help. I grinned, looped my arm through his, and went inside
the gate.
Liam could only watch us go, leaving them on
the other side.
There was a swing in the yard, and the sun
was shining. Perfect for a swing.
Soon, my in–laws arrived.
We were supposed to have dinner in our new
house.
Liam acted like he’d been saved by the bell.
“Mom! Dad! You’re here!”
く
“This is my wedding gift, remember?” He
pointed to me, swinging on the swing. “They
won’t let me in. They changed the locks.”
“Why would we let you in?” Mr. Callahan said.
“This house was for my real son’s wedding.
Now you’re not my son, so why would you still
want to freeload?”
Liam looked devastated. Maisie chimed in.
“Mr. and Mrs. Callahan, how can you do this?
He’s been with you for over twenty years!
You’ve invested so much in him. It’s not just
about blood, there has to be some affection.”
Mr. Callahan said, “Yeah, we invested in him,
but he screwed up his company and spent all
his time chasing skirts. It was a waste of
money!”
く
Liam looked ashamed.
He didn’t say a word.
He hadn’t always been a bum; he just wasn’t
too bright.
When it was time to apply to colleges, his
parents wanted him to go to school nearby.
He said he would, but then he signed up for a
school in another state with Maisie, and
basically checked out.
He partied, failed his classes, and turned into
a complete waste of space.
