Page 76 of Southie

My mother had made substantial progress since she was no longer an addict, and I was proud of the woman she’d become.

When I reached my father, he nodded and wrapped his arms around me in an enormous bear hug. “I couldn’t be prouder of the man you’ve become, son. I love you.”

“Thanks, Pops. I love you too.”

What could I say about my Pops? He’d been a shit husband and father in the past, but he made amends. This time when he said God had saved him, he wasn’t lying. He wasn’t walking on water beside Jesus, by any means, but the man was a fixture during Mass and in Confession nearly as much as my late grandmother had been. She’d be proud of the steps her eldest son had made but not so much of my Uncle Ray, though. Let’s just say when Paddy met the end, all my uncle and his bitch of a wife’s transgressions came to the surface. Both were now serving prison sentences.

“Daddy, Daddy!” my boys called out. A gigantic smile stretched across my face.

My heart soared every time I laid eyes on them. They were the perfect mixture of Camilla and me in features, but all Daugherty in temperament. That part was all Irish.

“Hey, boys you ready to see Daddy win?” I asked, ruffling their curly hair.

They nodded their heads enthusiastically. I hugged and kissed them both.

“All right, I’ll make sure it happens. Love you guys.”

The smiles on Camilla and my kids’ faces reminded me why I was on this Earth. It wasn’t to become World Champion, but to make a life with the most wonderful woman God placed on this Earth. To raise two strong men and teach them how to love a good woman and themselves. To teach them how to become a better man and father than I’d ever be so they’d learn no matter where they came from, no matter the hardships they met, the sky was the limit.

“I’m so proud of you, baby,” Camilla whispered. “I love you, always.”

I reached across the barrier, kissing and hugging the love of my life. Without Camilla, I wouldn’t have made it this far. She was my rock, my number one fan, and number one supporter in all I did. Without her, there was no me.

“I love you, forever,” I replied.

Gerald stood in front of me at the base of the stairs to the ring. He placed the mouthpiece in my mouth with the green, white, and orange colors of the Irish flag, and I entered the ring in one of the most famous sports arenas, for the final time.

When I moved to the center of the ring, it finally sunk in. I had gone from the projects to the top of a profession I’d loved since I was a kid. With the help of an amazing woman, family, and friends, I’d stayed true to who I was. I loved and lived the best life possible. Although this was my last fight, it wasn’t the end for me. I had more to do.

As the legendary boxing trainer Cus D’Amato said, “To see a man beaten not by a better opponent but by himself is a tragedy.”

I raised my gloved fists in the air for the last time as a fighter while the crowd chantedSouthie, over and over. I nor my circumstances had beaten me.

Liam “Southie” Daugherty had made it.