13

 My parents fought for two more months. My heart sank every time they did. I could barely stand to be in the same house when they fought. They both looked upset and drained afterwards. I could also see how they grew apart. At first, they used to be close and get along. They used to be able to rely on each other. Whenever Mom came home from a battle, Dad would hold her. He still did, but now they looked awkward and uncomfortable. Dad didn’t hold Mom as long as he used to. She didn’t want him to hold her for more than a few seconds. They didn’t talk about their careers anymore. They didn’t like to sit next to each other when all three of us were hanging out together. They didn’t seem happy to see each other. I could see their relationship deteriorating slowly over five months. I hated that and I wished I could do something. My parents told me it was between them. I was confused.

    After another month, Mom and Dad told me they were getting a divorce.

    I was shocked.

    I’d known their marriage was suffering a lot, but I didn’t know it was this bad because I didn’t see most of what happened between them. I’d been hoping that at some point they would fix things. I knew it would take a long time if they did.

    It took a few seconds for the shock to sink in.

    I was upset.

    I had to accept it.

    I was still confused about why they were fighting and why it had happened so suddenly and so many times when they weren’t like this before. But they had been fighting seriously and many times for a long time and it stressed everybody out. I was sad for a few seconds, but I thought of what our lives would be like in the future. Maybe it would be for the best that they wouldn’t be fighting anymore.

    I was still sad and I wished they would go back to getting along the way they used to. But if we couldn’t have that, then the divorce might be the next best option.

    “I will be okay with this, once that fact sinks in,” I said.

    “I will be staying somewhere else from now on,” Dad said.Mom and I would stay at the house. Dad would talk to me in person or on the phone every day.

    I held Mom. 

    I couldn’t talk to her about this because it was private between her and Dad.

    “This is a shame because I really thought this marriage could work,” Mom said, sadly. “I don’t understand what happened or why we started fighting so quickly.”

    “Will you be happy now?” I asked.

    “I think this solution may be what’s best for everyone.”