Sawblade circus

Chapter Ten

The next morning the two got up a little later then they usually do and went downstairs to where they smelled breakfast being cooked. “Have a good night’s sleep?” Their mother asked. “I guess so.” Nathan replied. “Hey, mom.” “Yes?” “Do you know where dad is?” Annabelle asked. Their mother was quiet for a minute. “I think he lives across town, I think he may be staying with his mother.” “Can we borrow the keys to your car?” “I don’t think you should be visiting him, honey. Look, let’s just eat first.” “Maybe I’m not hungry.” Nathan remarked. Their mother sighed. “Eat first, then I’ll give you the keys.” They reluctantly began to eat their breakfast while their mother went out to get her cars keys. “Why are we going to go to dads?” Annabelle asked. “For two reasons, to see what his side of the story is, and to tell him about the carnival.”

“He won’t believe us, but maybe just talking to him will help.” Nathan nodded. Their mother came back just then. “Here’s the keys, the cars almost out of gas though, so it might just be enough to get you there and back.” They nodded and began to make their way out to the car. They drove across the town, which was covered by dark clouds. The radio was turned on and was playing a song that reminded the two of their parents, so they shut it off. It was around noon when they pulled into the driveway of their grandmothers house. They got out and knocked on the door, which was answered by an old woman.

“Hi Grandma.” The two said. “Hello children, I think I know why you’re here. Come in.” They walked on in and saw their father sitting on the couch, talking to someone on the phone. “Alright, alright, alright, oh- hey, I got to go.” He said, seeing the two walk in. “Hey guys.” “How could you?” Annabelle said. “How could you cheat on mom?” He sighed. “Sit down, I’ll tell you the truth.” They sat on the couch across from him, and their grandmother sat beside them. “ You’re mother lied. I didn’t cheat on her, she cheated on me.” “What?” Nathan said. “Yes, I let you believe your mother so you could stay with her, in a home you grew up in. Where you felt comfortable. Believe me when I say this, I never cheated on her.” “Then, why’d she lie?” “She didn’t want you to find out.” Annabelle began to cry then. Their grandmother gave her a hug. “We feel partly responsible.” Nathan mumbled. “Why?” “If we hadn’t had begged to go to the circus, you guys wouldn’t have fought…” “Circus?” Their grandmother asked. “Yeah, the freak show. Which is the other thing we wanted to talk to you about-“ Annabelle was interrupted. “Sweetie go in the other room for a minute.” She said to their dad. He did so, but with a confused look in his face. 

“Look,” Their grandmother started with a serious look. “Ignore the circus, stay away from it, alright? Its not safe.” “We know, we went to it the other day and saw what it was. It’s evil!” “You don’t know the half of it.” She said, sadly. “Why, do you know more?” Annabelle asked. “No.” She said quickly. Nathan sighed. “May we stay here? With dad?” “Sure, sweetheart. This is his house, I’m staying here.” “Yeah, we don’t really want to be around mom right now.” “Go ask your father to see if its okay.” The two got up and went to the kitchen, where their dad was opening the mail. There was a paper lying on the table. Nathan picked it up. “Are these the divorce papers?” Nathan asked quietly. Their father nodded. “Dad, can we stay here from now on?” “Sure, sweetheart.” He told Annabelle. “You’ll have to share a room though.” “We’re fine with that.” They went to see where their new room was when they walked pass the bathroom. They saw their grandma taking out her contacts, which freaked them both out. The contacts covered her real eyes, which were like a cats. She was singing to herself, and the singing was beautiful. “What pretty singing.” Annabelle said. “Thank you.” Their grandma said. “It’s about to storm, get anything you’ll need for tonight and tomorrow while you can.” Their dad said. They both nodded and got into the car. “What will we tell mom? What about grandmas eyes?” Annabelle started. Nathan sighed. “Too many questions, we’ll figure them out one by one.” He started the car and began to drive back to their moms. They drove past the circus poster again. “Poor Snakey, what has the Ringmaster done to you?”