The Life Of Michael Afton

{9} Dividing

Over the course of the past week, Kathy and William have been sorting their stuff out. Trinkets, heirlooms, silverware and furniture, all of it has to be divided between the two. Of course, Kathy's already determined she'll go back to France, so the process is easier than if she'd decided to stay in England. As such, most, if not all, of the furniture is left to William and nearly everything she brought from her home is going to go with her.

Honestly, the only thing they really need to settle is the children.

Kathy sets down the box in her hands with a sigh. "William, we need to settle—who gets the children?"

He looks up from the vanity. "Oh, isn't it obvious? There's two children. You'll take one and I'll take one and sometimes they can visit each other."

"William, don't talk about them like they're objects. They're twins, you can't just separate them."

"Kathy, you can't take them both. That would be unfair. Plus, you can't raise two children on your own."

"I've been doing that, actually, for quite a while now." Her voice is icy.

"You can't support three people at the same time. I've been working and earning money for you to be able to do this."

"So I should be grateful that you're never home?" Their voices are rising, and the situation is escalating quickly.

"Daddy?"

Startled, they immediately look down to see Imira in the doorway. "Daddy, why loud?"

William crouches down. "Daddy's just a little upset, sweetie. I'm okay though."

The four-year-old tilts her head. "Mommy, what does sweetie mean?"

"It's like saying 'mon cœur'."

"Oh." She nods to herself, locking the information away in her brain. Imira then turns to Kathy, "I'm hungry maman."

Kathy smiles at her, putting the box down. "Alright mon trésor." She sends William a look when Imira turns her back. We'll finish that later.

Soon both children are at the table, munching on croque-monsieur. William sits at the head of the table, fidgeting with a pen. He opens and closes his mouth a few times, apparently getting courage then thinking better of it.

"Children—" Ah, so he's finally mustered up some bravery.

"Which one of us do you like better?"

Kathy stiffens. That's not fair for them to make that choice. He shouldn't make them choose—

Imira instantly points to Kathy.

Okay, maybe they can choose. No—Kathy, what are you thinking! They're too young to properly understand, you can't make them choose!

Michael looks between them, beginning to get upset. "Maman, but Daddy— I don't know!" William scrambles out of his seat as the child begins to cry. "Hey hey I'm sorry, Michael, it's alright! It's alright Michael you don't need to pick."

Kathy doesn't think he's capable of raising her child. Especially alone.

Later that night, William makes a choice. "I think Michael should stay with me."

"Will, you can't just decide like that—"

"I've been thinking about it, and I really think that would be best. I mean, Imira chose you with no hesitation. And...I'm more equipped to deal with the...bouts of insanity."

Kathy shivers just remembering that. "Exactly my point. If you're scared of him in that state, you can't help him. I can help train him to control it better. You don't know anything about the curse, and your family doesn't either. It would just be better for him to stay with me."

"And what if Imira has it too?" Kathy challenges.

"She doesn't. The curse has a physical tell. Brown eyes. Imira's eyes are green like yours, but Michael's eyes are blue and brown like mine. Plus, Michael looks almost exactly like me, and Imira looks more like you. Less people would be confused seeing you with her than with Michael."

Kathy hates that he makes good points. I don't want to leave either of them, but...I don't think I can watch Michael go insane again. I don't ever want to see that again.

"Promise that we'll be able to visit so Imira can see her brother."

"If you decide to arrange it, I'm happy to let my children spend time together."

"..."

"Fine." And just like that, the twins will be separated for the rest of their lives.

713 words
4/2/23