Liam's Father

"Dad?" I said in abject surprise as the door swung open.

"Hey sport." My father greeted as I should have guessed he would. He knew I hated when he called me that over the age of six. But that was my dad for you, he was a strict man who never changed his ways or wavered for anyone.

Still this was supposed to be my and Sarah's special night. What the hell was Dad doing here?

I must have been standing there silently because he answered the question without it needing to be asked. "I know I raised you better than to keep your own father out on the porch. Let me in." Suddenly I was a little kid following his orders all over again.

"You're right. I'm sorry, sir." I swung the door open to let Dad inside only to see him lug a bag and suitcase inside behind him. "Wh- wait what's going on?"

Dad strolled his way into the living room of our apartment and set his stuff down. He took a deep breath but didn't waste much time getting to the point. "Your mother and I aren't on speaking terms right now, sport. Big fight but it's between your parents. None of your business. I just need you to be a big boy and give your old man a place to stay while we sort things out."

I was completely taken off guard by this. Mom had always been a dutiful wife to Dad and put up with all kinds of things while I was growing up. Even while he was being a total hardass she'd always sided with him no matter what he said or did.

Then there was the second thing he's said. Give him a place to stay? As in my apartment? But Sarah and I just moved in! She already promised we were going to have our special night together and I just couldn't wait as it was. Now Dad was here to ruin all of that?

While I thought it through he just stood there staring expectantly at me with a withering gaze like he always did. I knew he wouldn't say a word until I responded the way he wanted me to. "Well I can't leave my own father out on the streets... Sir." I felt like such a dumb kid reverting to back to bowing to my father all over again.

"Liam? Who is it baby?" Sarah's voice was like honey to my ears but also reminded me how mad she was about to be.

"Well hello there, Sweetheart." Dad said, using the same platonic nickname he'd always used with my sweet girlfriend.

Sarah froze when she saw him. "M-mr Jones?" She stammered out in surprise. She never had a really deep bond with my Dad but they got on well and he always congratulated me for having such a good, beautiful girl by my side. Especially since she lost all her weight he had started saying it more and more. "Liam? What's going on?"

I took a deep breath almost hoping my father would say it for be but the look he gave me made it clear this was on me. "Dad and Mom are having trouble so... He needs somewhere to stay. And he's my dad so..." I fiddled for the words, nervous to upset my perfect girlfriend even though I could feel my assertive father's disapproving gaze as I did so.

Sarah didn't say anything, she just looked mad but was trying not to show it. I turned to Dad and made sure he had everything he needed for a minute, gave him the remote to the TV and pointed the way to the kitchen. Just enough to keep him occupied while I talked to Sarah. I took her by the hand and guided her back down the hall to our room but she pulled away from my hand all too quickly.

"I'm sorry I didn't know this was going to happen." I blurted out as we stepped back into our bedroom.

"But you knew it was our special night." Sarah protested, her voice sounding dull. "And now your dad is here like we're in high school all over again."

I shook my head trying to say anything I could to reassure her. "It's not! I promise. I have the great job now and we're adults and we live on our own. But... My parents have been together for over twenty years. I know Dad loves my Mom, and he's really heartbroken over all this I'm sure of it. I'm his son I have to help him, he gave ME a room for 18 years for free and I didn't even have to ask!"

Sarah bit her lower lip but remained silent. I could tell she was still mad but hopefully she was getting the point that I felt very strongly about my family. I'd do anything to help them just like I'd do anything to help Sarah and I was sure she knew that. After what felt like forever she finally spoke. "I'm not happy about this Liam. You always used to let your Dad walk all over you and now you're doing it again when you're supposed to be romancing ME."

It hurt to hear her say those words and to know she was absolutely right. But I knew turning my father down would lead to a nightmare of condequences I was nowhere near ready to tackle. Sarah was my darling who would always forgive me in the end but dad was a tyrant when he was mad.

"Sarah, Please.... Please..." I started to beg her. The look of disgust she gave me stung even more but I knew she'd get over it.

I looked at my beloved girlfriend with the faintest hint of a pleading tear in my eye as I asked her.

"Can't we let him stay?"