Dearly Beloved

06 | memories

C L A I R E
06 | memories

Shame is etched across both their faces as they bow their heads before me. Behind them, David has his teeth bitten down on his lower lip while he tries not to laugh at the shabby appearance they have returned home in.

"Can one of you explain why I just got a call from your principal that you both were caught fighting in class?"

Resting my hands on my hips, I glare down at my twins, observing how in complete contrast they are with regard to how I sent them to school. Their faces are bruised, their hair sticks out on all ends, there are wounds on their elbows and neck, and Zayne even has a part of his uniform white shirt torn out.

"It was Zac. He started it," Zayne says, shoving his brother under the bus just like I expected.

"You hit me first, moron!" Zac hits him on his calf with his backpack.

Zayne winces causing David to snatch both their backpacks from their hands. Even the middle-aged man looks tired to continue with this family's drama.

"Language, Zayne!" I chide him, my eyes narrowing at him. "Tell me what's the matter with you two? What was the fight about?"

"Zac said you and Dad were divorcing," Zayne is the one to reply, his voice lowering as a chill rushes over my chest at his reply.

"What? Who told you that, Zac?" I turn to the other boy, one of my hands rising to play with the pendant around my neck as I wait for him to answer.

I swear if he says Vaughn said that, I will end up doing something crazy. My husband hasn't been on speaking terms with me for days now and only spends his nights in our bed, hugging me because he can't sleep without my presence near him.

"You both have been ignoring each other for two weeks now, Mom. This is how it starts. Slowly, you fall out of love and then you divorce and we children have to choose who to live with. News flash — I'm living with you, Mom."

I am stunned by Zac's reply but before I can speak, his brother adds his own thoughts.

"I'll stay with Dad then," Zayne says. "I don't wanna see your sucky face every day."

"Dad likes me more than you," Zac scoffs. "He bought me the new PlayStation model for my birthday last year."

"He built me a walk-in closet," Zayne throws back.

They continue going back and forth, already starting to raise my blood pressure as I keep thinking that the reason they are fighting is because of Vaughn and me. A dull ache throbs in my chest at the knowledge.

"Enough, kids!" David raises his voice, silencing the kids instantly. "You're raising your Mom's blood pressure."

"You truly are," I agree softly. "Is this what I taught you? How to make fun of your parents' life problems?"

Their faces fall, lips pouting as their eyes gleam with an emotion I cannot decipher.

"Sorry, Mom. We won't do that again," they both say together, their voices low and edged with guilt.

I sigh, walking back to the couch in the hall and taking a seat to calm my irritated nerves. "What am I gonna do with you two? Please don't pick these fights in front of Dad. He has heart problems."

"Why do you think Dad avoids us?" Zac comments as they follow me to the couch and perch themselves on the edge of the coffee table.

"You do know he loves you both equally, right?" I tell them when I find a hint of doubt in his voice.