Rough Patch

1

Jenna Joseph

I get dressed and walk past Tyler to our daughters room. As I walk by I see he's just sitting on the bed looking out the window. I roll my eyes and go over to him.

"Tyler. Look at me." I say. He turns his head and looks at me with dead eyes.

"Tyler. You need to get up right now and maybe try and be a father to your beautiful 5 year old daughter. She hasn't had a real conversation with you before. It's almost like she doesn't even had a father. You need to actually try." I explain.

"I do try." Tyler mumbles.

"No, tyler. You don't. You don't even work anymore! I do all the work. I take Ellie to daycare. I go to work right after so we can actually pay for this house. I cook. I clean. I have to take Ellie to daycare because I can't trust you with her! It would be like she's alone. All the while you sit and mope around this house doing nothing. You need to try a hell of a lot harder." I say sternly and go over to Ellie's room.

When I enter the room I see she's still asleep on her bed. She was in her cute summer pajama and her hair was sprawled out underneath her. She looked so peaceful. So innocent. She has no clue why her father doesn't speak to her or do anything fun with her. In her five years of life she's learned to live with it.

I walk over to Ellie and shake her lightly. 

"Ellie. Sweetie. It's time to get up." I say quietly. She's stretched and let out a soft moan. Her little eyes flutter open revealing her blue eyes.

"I don't wanna get up." She says quietly.

"I know I know. We have to get you to daycare." I say softly.

"Why can't I stay home with daddy?"

"Daddy has other things to do. He still doesn't feel good either."

"Why doesn't he ever feel good?"

"You'll understand when you're older. Why don't we get you dressed." I reply. Ellie sits up and I grab her outfit for her from the closet. I chose a cute pink shirt with black shorts. I help her get dressed and comb through her light brown hair. I put a cute head band in and she was ready for her day at daycare.

I take Ellie down stairs and Tyler is sitting at the kitchen table looking out the door to the deck.

"Hi Daddy." Ellie says quietly. Tyler doesn't even look over. Ellie looks sad and walk over to put her shoes on.

"Tyler. Your daughter just said Hi to you and you ignored her. That is not trying to be a good father." I scold.

"What? I didn't hear her." Tyler says acting dumb.

"Whatever. Try a little harder." I roll my eyes and go to help Ellie out. I hear Tyler behind me.

"Good morning Ellie." Tyler says.

"Good morning." Ellie says not making eye contact. She finished putting her shoes on and reaches to open the door.

"Have a good day at day care." Tyler says again.

"Thanks." Ellie mutters going out the door. I give one more sour look to tyler and go get Ellie in the car.

::-::
Tyler Joseph

I feel bad. I really. I've wanted a child forever and I finally get a beautiful daughter and I'm a terrible father. Jenna tries so hard to help me but I do nothing. It's almost like she's loving me less and less everyday.

It was a step for me to say good morning to Ellie. It was a very small step. Especially, since Jenna told me to say something.

I need to try and do something more. Maybe I'll have some time with Ellie when she comes home to talk to her. We can talk about anything.

The first thing I need to do is shower. I have to take a nice long shower and think about what I'll do when Jenna and Ellie come home. I need to do something to show Jenna that I actually want to try and be a good father.

::-::
Jenna Joseph

After dropping Ellie off at daycare I go to my work. I work at a bank with lots of wonderful women who know my situation and really help me out.

As soon as I walk in and go to the break room to put my things away my best friend, Jamie, comes over to me.

"Hey Jenna. How are you doing?" She asks me calmly.

"Honestly, terrible." I reply. I look over to Jamie with teary eyes.

"Oh sweetie. Want to talk about it?"

"It's just the same old thing. Tyler isn't trying. He's not being a good dad to Ellie. It's like she doesn't have a father at all." I cry. Jamie pulls me into a hug.

"I'm sure he will get better. Give him time."

"I have Jamie. Almost five years now. I'm getting to he point where I'm done. He's making my life stressful. I sometimes imagine a life without him and it seems like a terrible thing to do but I sometimes cant help it."

"It's okay. Why don't we clean you up and get you to our desk and try to relax. I'm sure it'll be just fine."

I take Jamie's advice and try to relax.

::-::
After work, I picked up Ellie and took her home. Ellie was chatting up a storm about her day at daycare.

When we walk inside I could smell something cooking. I go to the kitchen and Tyler is standing there cooking what looked like spaghetti.

"Oh! Hi. I thought I'd try and cook some dinner. It might not be great but I'm trying." Tyler says looking right at me when he says the last part.

"That's very nice Tyler." I smile. Tyler gives me a small smile back and finishes putting the food into bowls. He serves us all and we all eat happily which hadn't happened in a long time.