It was clearly not what they wanted to hear, not that he could blame them for that reaction. He had no intention of giving them empty promises and lies, but at the same time, what he told them wasn't very reassuring either. It was vague and even he understood it the moment he said it. 'I'll think of a way' meant nothing for girls like them who were likely told a million and one lies and had lost hope. And here he was, giving them no assurances when they needed it. No wonder they walked away without saying another word and he couldn't bring himself to stop them. What would he even say?
Liam returned to the hotel room after a while and went to bed next to his wife like he would always do. He didn't know if she woke up or not, but he certainly didn't sleep a wink that night and the next morning, they were headed home. He apologized to Mary for pushing her the night before and they made up - as best one could in their situation. The date had been a bust over a stupid argument at the end and he knew it. Amazing how the littlest thing could trigger heated emotions for the two. Then again, most of the time they were rather neutral or even cold with one another, so in the end it felt like they were always at extremes.
He didn't go to the trailer park for days after that. He tried to think of a way to go about things. How to help them without letting Mary know, but it wasn't easy. They likely didn't understand that keeping his family together was the best thing to do for Olivia. How could he take such a big risk? He would move mountains for his little girl, but they weren't... they weren't his daughters. They were just... girls in need of help. They were girls in need of his help.
Over a week passed without Liam messaging any of them and things seemed normal. His desires didn't wane, but he had other distractions. He didn't want to face them without a plan to help, something concrete, but he had nothing that wasn't just spending money and hoping Mary wouldn't notice. He was lost in thought when a voice snapped him back to the present. It was Jim, he was delivering paperwork again, but this time his mood was sour. Not only that, but he had a black eye that was impossible to hide.
"What happened to you?" He asked curiously.
Jim seemed annoyed with the question and poised to snap back, but it was Liam asking and he held his tongue. He looked around and sighed. "Young women nowadays think they are special." Liam raised an eyebrow at that - there was definitely a story behind it. "I tell you, man. They are all crazy or pretty little fucking snowflakes, or both."
"Did you try to hook up with a younger woman and she punched you?"
He clearly didn't like that, feeling his ego taking a hit, but Liam just stared at him. Jim didn't feel any malice or mocking, just curiosity. "No. Remember the one from a few weeks ago? She had a friend, skinny girl, but perky and... well, hot too. We hooked up and she said I was being a bit too rough. Like I said, snowflakes, but lets be honest, they don't know what they like or not. They're just scared of trying something new, so I showed her. Next thing I know, she's screaming like a banshee, her friend comes in and sucker punches me. It was a shit-show." He touched his own face and winced, but seeing Liam still staring, he seemed to puff up his chest. "I'm a man though, so you know how it is. Ain't gonna let some woman get off after that, but whatever. Should know better than to hook up with trash, so its on me. Listen to me, the easy ones are just gonna end up biting you in the ass."
Jim grumbled, but ended up leaving with his papers and left Liam to ponder.
People like Jim were all over the place... it made him think about the men that the girls had to deal with. He heard it first hand from them at the park, but hearing Jim's side for what he assumed was a much minor case really drove it home for him. Girls like them were the most vulnerable. They were exposed to so much and yet it seemed like those who should help them didn't. He spend a week not helping them...
He left work early that day, claiming he wasn't feeling well. Liam got into his car and didn't drive home - he drove somewhere else instead while calling someone. The man spent two hours when he should be working and around time to clock out, he finally got in the car again, this time driving to a familiar place. Once again, Sunfield Trailer Park came into view, but he didn't pay attention to the sights and people there anymore, merely driving toward the trailer he knew well. Once he arrived, he looked for the girls, hoping at least one of them was there.