This New Life

Chapter Eight: Just The Way Things Are

*** I just want to clear up the cast I've made for at least three characters.

Chandler Chance (17) - David Lambert

Stella Dawson (18) - Ashleigh Cummings

Axle Chance (3) - Quinn Lord ~ picture to the side***

Chapter Eight: Just The Way Things Are

"Hey, Dad. Where ya going?" I asked him. I was sitting in the living room by myself on a late Saturday afternoon. The wind was blowing hard outside and since it was finally spring Mom could take Layla outside with Axle. Axle loved to play on his swing and watch Mom slide down the slide with Layla in her lap. Even though I don't think Layla is so enthusiastic about it. 

I think something was wrong though. By the way Dad looked and his packed bag, I was pretty sure something was going on that I didn't know about. He paused and looked at me very hard and I looked at him worried. He just set down his things and sat in front of me. I kind of looked away from him. I did not want to look at him in the eyes if he was going to tell me something bad.

"Listen, Chandler... right now I'm going to go away for a while because that's just the way things are. Sometimes things don't work out, but everything will be okay. Take care of everyone for me alright." I looked at him finally, but I didn't see my dad.

He always looked filled with courage. He made everything, no matter what, seem better than it was. When I looked at him I knew that it was gone. No matter what he said I knew it wouldn't be okay. I knew right now he wasn't courageous anymore. He was a coward. I didn't want him to leave, don't get me wrong here. I was so disappointed though that now I really wanted him to leave.

"How long will you be away? Where will you stay?" I asked. I wanted to at least know that he would be okay. I mean, he's my dad. I do love him.

"For a couple weeks until further notice. I'll stay with Chandler and Mum. Don't worry about me." I could tell he noticed the worried look in my eyes. I didn't want him to leave and I didn't want to have to take care of my mom and siblings. I would have to though, for Mom.

"Come back, okay?" I told him. He nodded his head and he took my hand. Then he gave me a firm shake and told me to be safe and that he loved me. He also said he'd keep in touch everyday. That on the weekends, including Friday, he'd visit. 

When he finally drove away I ran out back to talk to Mom right away. Axle was giggling with Talis. I guess Aunt Ann and him used the gate instead of going through the house. I was glad too or they would've interrupted our conversation. So I found Mom and told her I needed to talk to her right that very second. She sighed and told me she was "busy", but she was just playing with Axle.

"Well I want to talk now. So why did Dad leave? What's going on?" I asked. She snapped her head at me and looked back at Axle. I guess they didn't want him to know. I don't get that though because he will know he isn't home. 

"Okay, Chandler. We can talk, but inside." She snapped at me. "Ann you wouldn't mind watching them by yourself?" Mom asked. Ann shook her head no, so Mom, Layla, and I went up to Layla's room. 

"So what's going on?" I asked her softly. She looked at me with sad eyes and took a deep breath.

"We're just fighting right now, Chan." She obviously didn't want to tell me much. I needed to know. I wanted everything to be alright.

"Why? Y'all have always been okay!" I could feel myself getting upset. She put Layla in her crib before she told me what was going on. 

She pretty much told me everything from the very beginning. It took a long time to tell me because she wanted to be very detailed. It took a lot of talking and a lot of time. By the time she was finished dinner was ready and Axle and Talis were already in the tub. Mom was in tears too. I just gave her a big hug after she was really done talking.