Broken Promise

I saw the pain it caused their family,

the father not only stole their money

he stole their mother's happiness.

I watched as the kids had to chose over the mother or father,

no matter what choice they make, they hurt someone.

Their grades began to fall apart,

they quit sports teams.

How could they think of that

when their family was no more.

Neither parent could afford the house,

so they had to move.

They lost sleep because their mom was crying

while their dad slept with another woman.

The happy family we once traveled the country with,

was no more.

I made my mother promise me that her and dad would stay together.

She swore that when she made those vows,

she meant it.

Then one night dad came home from work.

He was frustrated and exhausted as usual.

He began yelling at us for not cleaning the house,

we yelled back.

I stormed into my mothers room and began to complain.

She just rolled her eyes as I screamed,

"you couldn't have married any other guy?"

She laughed and looked at me as she said

"You're not the one stuck with him for the rest of your life,

so you're welcome".

So which is better?

Listening as your mom cries herself to sleep,

or watching as your mom chokes back her tears and puts on that fake smile?