The Divorce

Drip, drop, drip. I knew that sound like the back of my hand. I dropped my coffee and all the thoughts, sounds, feelings, memories they all came back to me. 

  The beginning

It had been July 18th 2008 when Gaby and I decided to go get popsicles from across the street. We were only eight at the time so it sounded like a great idea. When we walked through the front door, Gaby and I were called to the living room to talk.  Gaby walked there silently, her short black curls bouncing as she walked. But I stood rooted to the spot. I got chills all over, knowing what was going to come next. 

“Kaytlyn!” I could hear Mom calling me but I couldn't answer, couldn't move.  I could hear them, calling me and although they were getting louder and louder to me they were getting quieter and quieter. Then everything went dark. 

I woke up the next morning to find out that from stressing out too much I had lost hearing in one ear.  Mom told me to get some rest and that we would talk later.  I agreed and fell asleep almost immediately.  When morning came I walked to the living room to see everybody waiting for me. 

“Good morning sweetheart how did you sleep?” Mom asked kindly 

“Good, my ear hurts a little bit though.” 

“Yes, that is what Dr. Kelli had said. Would you like some Advil?” 

“Yes please.” 

“Ok come with me then.”

Mom went into the kitchen, as I trailed behind her. She pulled down a bag that said 

KAYTLYN

I smiled when I also saw ones for everyone, but Dad. 

“Mom why doesn't Dad have a bag?” 

Mom didn't answer, just kept shuffling through my bag. 

Weird, Mom never does that.

She grabbed out the Advil and said, 

“Hm? Did you say something?”

I knew something was up and that she had, in fact, heard me. However I decided not to push it.

“No.”

“Oh, ok.”

Mom handed me two tablets then she said “Dr. Kelli gave me some medicine for you as well.”

5 minutes later me and Mom headed back into the living room. That's when Dad said,

“We wanted to ask you guys if you'd like to go get changed and then we can go for brunch and get ice cream on the way back”

I nodded, despite the weird feeling in my gut that something bad was going to happen. 

“Ok is everyone buckled and ready?” Dad asked.

“Yes” 

“Ok then let's go!”

I didn't feel good, something was wrong, I knew it.  Mom was sitting in the back with Gaby and I, which was very strange since she always sat in the passenger seat up front with Dad. 

We arrived at Coras  -our favourite brunch place-  15 minutes later. This waitress showed up and took us to our seats. Dad was acting really, really weird with her and then Mom asked for a different waitress. 

We left there at around 12 ish and all our tummies were full. We headed to the ice cream shop across the street from our house and got popsicles. Mom and Dad didn't get anything though. We walked home with our popsicles and went to the living room. We sat down in our usual spots But Mom sat in the furthest chair she could from Dad. 

“Girls,  we need to talk.” Mom said

Dad agreed, “yes indeed”

“As you've probably noticed, Dad and I have been acting quite strangely lately. We have also been fighting quite a bit.”

My popsicle was dripping on the floor but I couldn't care no one did. 

“So me and your mother decided we want to…”

My popsicle was dripping down my hand. It was very sticky and wet. I started having trouble breathing and all I could hear was my popsicle dripping. 

“Get a divorce”

I jumped to my feet “NO, you can't do that to us!” I cried. I looked at Gaby and she was sobbing. My eyesight went blurry and I couldn't see anything.

“Honey sit down pls,” Mom stood up and came over to me and gently sat me down.  

“Im only moving across town honey” 

“YOU'RE MOVING!!!” Gaby and I screamed at the same time 

“Yes for about a month or two and then I'm going to move somewhere else I think. Somewhere not too far.”

“Well do we at least get the choice of who we live with?” I asked 

“You're going to live here with me until the summer is finished and then it's your choice. But if you move with Dad you will have to change schools too”

“Oh”

“Let's hear everyone's thoughts and opinions, Dad you first”

“I am sad to move but also I hate fighting with your mother so much and sometimes make each other upset, so I'm glad to be able to know Mom will be able to smile again.”

“Ok good, Gaby?”

“I don't like your guy's decision at all! But Mom has been quite sad lately so if it will make her happy then ok. Also can you maybe stay here for a year Dad? That way we can see you often without having to switch schools or anything. We could maybe even consider you moving so that the school is in the middle and we live with Mom for one week and you the next and keep alternating.”

“That could work, I think we will have to talk about it but I think that's a great idea. What about you Kaytlyn?” 

“I Can't believe youre doing this to us! It's so unfair! I haven't heard you fight even once! Can you maybe consider going to a counselor? They could help you guys figure out some stuff!”

“No Kaytlyn , I'm sorry but we both think this is best.”

I ran to my room and Gaby joined me shortly later and we cried for hours and hours.

Jenny showed up too, she's our older sister. Jenny went to college a couple weeks ago but always comes back to see us every weekend. It wasn't a weekend but I think Mom and Dad also told her. She came and sat beside me in my room and stroked my hair, “shh it's alright.” She kept repeating over and over.  I crawled into her lap and cried, Gaby came and sat with us too and she cried. 

I looked at Jenny and said, “can I move in with you for a little bit? Don't worry I wont bother you at all and I will even clean for you!” 

Jenny smiled sadly and said, “I would love it if you could but I live in the college. Besides I think Mom might want you to live with her.”

Jenny stayed for dinner but Dad wasn't home. He also wasn't home when we went to bed and even when Jenny tried calling him, he didn't answer. In the morning he wasn't there and neither was his stuff. Jenny had stayed the night and had called the college saying there was a family problem and she wouldn't be coming for the next couple of days.

It was The summer of 2009, Dad had finally called us but we didn't see him and he wouldn't tell us where he had been. 

I didn't think I would ever forgive him. He left us without saying goodbye. Jenny moved to a house and I stayed with her. It was about 5 minutes from Mom and Gaby so we saw each other everyday.  

MARCH 16 2016

Dad didn't show up for our 16th birthdays. It's not like I thought he would. Dad didn't call us since the week after he left and we haven't heard from him since.  But that was mine and Gabys day and no one else's and no one, not even Dad can change that.