Little Life of Nolan Parks - 28. Triple Threat - Light

Liam's POV

Today might just be the worst day of my life so far. Nolan is at what is more than likely going to be the last day of his trial, and I'm stuck driving with my mom to have a conversation with my dad. I don't like this one bit.

“I'd rather be at Nolan's trial,” I said out of the blue. Mom and I hadn't spoken since we started driving, an hour ago.

She sighed. “I know... I'm sorry; your father was very stern about this.”

“Of course he was,” I grumbled. One thing dad was always, is stern. What he said goes, try and question it and you're off to your room. He was a great dad, sarcasm.

“Liam, you need to take this meeting seriously. Even though you don't want to be there.” Got that right, I don't want to be there. “This is one time where I ask you to be mature Liam.”

“One time mom!?” I kind of yelled at her. “Every time you and dad fought I would have to comfort Leif while you two screamed at each other. It was up to me to make sure Leif couldn't hear a thing, and I heard it all!”

I was furious at the world. Not at anyone specifically but it's just... I'm done. I've helped out so much with Leif and Nolan. I moved after my dad almost bruised my arm. With all this helping others, I've left myself second and helped them too much.

“You have every right to be angry at your father and me, but that is no excuse to talk to me like this.” Mom spoke calmly but stern. “I understand you are upset, and sadly there is nothing I can do to change the past. If I could, I would in a heartbeat.”

Neither one of us said anything for a while. I just huffed and puffed in my seat. I felt bad for yelling at my mom. I mean, I called her out on things that she had little to no control over. “I'm sorry...” I broke the silence in the car.

“Thank you, but you don't have to be.” Mom was close to crying. “You don't need to apologize for the way you feel.”

“I feel like I should.” I slouched in my seat. “I feel bad for what I've said now. You didn't have enough control over the situation...”

“Enough Liam.” Mom cut me off. “There are things I have done wrong; you do not need to apologize.”

“Okay...” The rest of the car ride was pretty quiet. The music on the radio played for awhile, but no one made a sound. It wasn't until we pulled up to the building that I asked my mom something. “What if I don't want to talk to him anymore?”

“Then you just get up and walk out. Just... listen to your father. I have no idea what he wants to say, but give him one more chance than he deserves.”

“Okay.” I got out of the car, and made my way into the building where I was going to talk to my dad.

I hated this building just cause of what I was forced to do in it. There was nothing wrong with the building; it's a normal looking office building. The normal clerk at the front desk, normal hallways to rooms and all that. The only thing that's not normal is my dad.

A Lady picked me up from the front desk and walked with me to a room. In the room was my dad, sitting down waiting for me to arrive. The lady closed the door behind her and entered the room with me.

“I'd like to talk to my son alone.” My dad said.

The lady shook her head. “Your wife made you promise there would be a supervisor in the room. I won't leave since you two signed documents.” She said sternly. My dad huffed in anger. “Sorry Mr. Parks but you signed the papers.”

“Liam, sit down.” I didn't move. I continued to stand, mostly out of spite against my father. There is no way I'm going to listen to this man. “Liam, please sit down.”

“No, I'd like to stand,” I replied.

My dad took a deep breath before speaking again. “I would like to talk to you, Liam. When you are standing it doesn't feel like a conversation.”

“Neither does anything we've ever said to each other. It's always been you telling me something. It was never important to you how I felt about it. 'What dad says goes!' is what you'd say to me when I questioned you.

“Then there are your fights with mom. You would scream at mom so loud that Leif could hear you over my headphones. With those things on I could drown out the world and not hear a thing!” The more I spoke, the angrier the face my father would make. I don't care though I'm getting something off my chest. “You do realize how loud you'd have to be to break through soundproofing?

“You've abused mom mentally, verbally, and physically. You almost bruised my arm, and now you're doing this... give me one reason I should listen to you.”

“I'm your father, Liam.”

“And I'm angry! You being my dad means nothing right now. Why should I listen to what you are saying right now?”

Dad took another big breath. “What I've done is unforgivable.”

“Yes, and what have you done to help that?”

“Interrupting your father won't get you anywhere Liam.” The lady spoke from the side of the room. I guess she's right, I'm not going to get anywhere if I'm the only one talking.

“I start therapy next week, and I want you and Leif to come to some of my sessions.”

“Why?”

Dad looked like he was taken aback by this question. “I want a relationship with my sons.”

“What if we don't want one with you?” I gave him my coldest stare that I've ever given someone.

“Don't be like that Liam.” Dad's voice went weak. This man actually cares for his sons? He sure doesn't act like it. “Right now, I get you're upset, but lets see if we can work it out. You don't need to go every time. In the beginning, it'll be a lot of one on one stuff. Later is when you'd come in.”

“Ask me again then... because right now I don't want you anywhere near my little brother or me.” I turned around and went to the door. “That's really all I want to say. I have a cousin who is going to need me and I'd rather be there with him than here. So if you'd excuse me.” And I left.

Mom didn't comment on how short it was. We just headed out, back to Nolan. He's been putting on a brave face... but I don't think it'll last much longer. He'll want me to comfort him.

Nolan's POV

We had arrived at the courthouse a little before the last part of the trial started. The Jury already passed judgment on Paul and Harrison, guilty. All this was, was the judge making a final ruling.

Henry and my mom were with me. Mom stood at the back of the courthouse at every hearing. She didn't want Paul to see her there. I don't know if it's cause of a mom's love or if she just can't find it in her to love him anymore.

The judge came into the courtroom right on time and started the proceeding. “Could we get the defendants in here, please?” Harrison and Paul walked in cuffed and escorted by an officer each. They sat down in the defendants' spot. “And the Jury?” They came up to their stands as well.

We went through ending proceedings. Each side explained why they should or shouldn't get the worst punishment. The judge listened to both side's arguments on the subject before thinking to himself for a moment.

“This may sound strange... and unorthodox, but I want to hear what young Mr. Nolan Parks has to say.”

“Objection, your honor!” One of the defendant lawyers shouted. He had stood up as he said it. Now standing he stated his argument. “This is finishing statements; Mr. Parks is no lawyer and as such should not have a voice in this part of the case.”

“Overruled. This is my courtroom, and if you have a problem with this appeal this case to a higher court.” The judge turned to me again. “Would you like to say some words, Nolan?”

I turned to Henry, who just offered me a shrug. “Sure, sir.”

“The floor is yours then.” He leaned back in his seat and waited for me to speak.

I cleared my throat. What do I say? Is there anything to say? “Sir... I grew up with Paul as my older brother. He was a great older brother until he hit puberty. We'd laugh and play, sure he was a jerk sometimes but what big brother isn't. I'm sure I've tattled on him many times in my life.

“What he doesn't know is that our mother has been in the courtroom for every day of this trial. She's been here every single day listening to what everyone said. She is currently sitting in the back row, for her own reasons.

“I now have a great support group of friends and an amazing cousin. The first day I met Liam was the day I woke up in the hospital, and he was the only one in my room. He's been my rock every since. He's comforted me and calmed me down. Liam is like the big brother I've always wanted.” Tears had begun forming, and a few managed to fall.

“You can stop son anytime.” The judge spoke kindly.

“My best friend Henry... he's here for me too. He's the only friend who I've told about this... I'm afraid to tell anyone else. I'm scared of what they'll think of me. How they'll treat me because of this. Henry, though... he treats me no different. He's amazing.

“I guess what I am trying to say, sir, is that right now I'm doing okay. I'm healing thanks to the people I have surrounded myself with. I want them to know that. That I will heal from this... while they have to deal with whatever punishment you deal to them.” I looked over to the jury; there was not a dry eye within them.

I turned around to see Henry wiping tears away from his face. He smiled at me and mouthed 'I love you' to me. I couldn't help but smile at him.

Looking farther back my mom... she was balling her eyes out. Her eyes, transferring from me to Paul. Paul, he was sitting still. Not a movement on him.

“That took a lot of bravery Nolan, and I'm proud of you for saying it.” The Judge's voice boomed through the courtroom. “In the case of Paul Parks, who has been charged with Sexual Assault and plead guilty... You, sir, are being convicted as a minor. You are not of Major age in either province, so consider yourself lucky.

“Though, you will not be allowed back into the same household as your brother. You will be in juvie until you age out. You will not be allowed near children under the age of 16, and will be on parole for 10 years once out of juvie.

“In the case of Harrison Wells, who has been charged with Sexual Assault and found guilty... You aren't so lucky. In the province of Alberta, the age of a Major is 18... and you are 18. You were caught in this province and will be convicted in this province. 15 years jail time, with no option for parole. I will make sure of that.

“You will also not be allowed to be around children under the age of 16 when you are released from prison. Your name added to the list of sexual offenders. You've made one hell of a life for yourself Mr. Wells.”

“Fuck you!” Harrison screamed from his seat.

The judge chuckled. “I wouldn't say things like that. These things aren't written on paper just yet. So don't incriminate yourself more, sir. That is my ruling on both cases. Thank you for your patience in these matters, everyone. Have a good day.”

I got up and turned to see Henry right there at the edge of the seats. “You were amazing Nolan!”

“Thanks, Henry.” I blushed and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “You're amazing too.”

Henry smiled his bashful smile. “Thank you, Nolan.”

“FAGGOTS!” I heard Harrison yell as he was being escorted out. “You can't get enough can you!? You're going to be one fucked up...” He continued, but I couldn't make the rest of it out.

I quietly made my way to mom, Henry right beside me. I maybe made it halfway before I was engulfed in a hug, squeezing me tightly. “I am so proud of you.” I returned the hug. We stood there for a while before she let go, I followed suit. “I found a house for us... I didn't want to tell you until the end of the case. We can move in next week... We'll only be a few minutes away from Liam and Leif.”

“Okay... cool.” Mom had been staying with Auntie just like me, for the past little while. I'm glad she found a place for us now though. “About Henry mom...”

“I saw your kiss earlier. I don't care who you decided to love, only that they treat you with the respect you deserve.”

“Thanks, Ms. Parks.” Henry softly spoke. “I promise I'll protect him and treat him like the prince he is.” Henry made me giggle before I smacked him.

“I'm no prince.”

Henry kissed me on the cheek. “You're my prince, and that's good enough for me.” He wrapped his fingers around mine as we started to make our way out of the courthouse.

Even though this is over... I don't feel better. The pain and damage are still there... I guess I was wrong about this. Even though the problem is gone, the damage will remain.

Chapter End.