Broken

Chapter 2

My alarm woke me up at 6am on Monday morning, and it took me a few seconds to remember that I slept at Ray's place, and when I did, rushed home to get ready for school. I don't want to be late.
As expected, the door was unlocked, and the house was a mess when I stepped in. I took in the scene, and walked up to my room upstairs. After about 10 to 15 minutes of thinking of what to wear, I ended up picking a pair of blue jeans and a white tank top with a baby pink sweater. I spread the clothes out on my bed and headed for the bathroom. After having my bath, I stretched my hair and applied a little eye make up, using an eyeliner and a mascara.

Time passed so quick in school and the classes go by quickly. After school I hanged out with Robert and we ended up grabbing lunch before he dropped me at home. My parents were not back when I got home, so I decided to watch a movie before they got back. While watching the movie, I dozed off, and when I woke up, my dad was sitting on the couch opposite me, while my mom was in the kitchen, making dinner. 10 minutes later, my mom called us for dinner and my dad and I headed for the dining room. After sitting at the dining table for about 5 minutes without fighting, I started thinking that my parents could make it through dinner with out a figh-"Abbie your dad and I are getting divorced" What?! This can't be happening. I guess I concluded too soon.

"What?!"

"You heard me"

"Why?" there has got to be an explanation for this. Maybe I didn't hear her correctly. "Dad is this true?" I asked my father.

"Yes Abbie, it's true. Your mom and I are getting divorced"

"This can't be true. Mom, please tell me this isn't true" I looked at my mom with eyes filled with hope.

"Yes dear, its true. Your dad and I decided that it would be best for everyone if we got a divorce" mom said, shattering my hope. I knew they were on bad terms, but I didn't know it was this bad. You have got to be freaking kidding me. This can't be happening.

"When did you make this decision?"

"Yesterday" they answered in unison. So that was what the fight was about.

"Wow!" I'm still surprised by this news and I don't know how to react to it yet. "Umm.... When will the divorce be finalized?"

"We don't know yet. We met with our lawyers today" my mom answered.

"Why are you getting divorced anyway?"

"As your mom said earlier, we decided that it would be best for everyone if we got divorced" wow. They've made up their minds already, and I don't think there's anything I can do to change their minds about it.

"You guys were planning on getting divorced and you didn't think to tell me earlier" I said, trying and failing to contain my anger "from the look of things, you've made up your minds, so why tell me now? What difference would it make if you told me or not?" Why am I so bothered about this anyway? It's their divorce and their lives, not mine.

"We didn't want to bother you with our issues. We wanted you to be focused on your studies" my mom said, not taking her eyes off her plate.

"Well you did a good job not wanting me to get distracted by anything" I said and stood up. I have to get out of here. I need some time to process this. They couldn't just get divorced. Something had to have triggered the sudden need for a divorce. I ran up to my room, leaving my parents at the dining table. What could have caused their need for a divorce? Is my dad cheating? Oh my gosh. That can't be true. My dad couldn't possibly do that to my mom. I know he wouldn't hurt my mom on purpose.

"Abbie" my mom snapped me out of my thoughts. I didn't even realize she had come in "I'm sorry. I know how hurt you are about this, and I'm so sorry-"

"Why are you getting divorced? Mom please don't lie to me. I'm 17, and I'm old enough to understand whatever is happening. Mom, I know you don't want to admit it, but your little girl isn't so little anymore, and you know deep down that you need someone to talk to. So please, just tell me the truth"

"Abbie I..." A teardrop escaped from my mom's eyes.

"He's cheating isn't he?"

"Abbie, don't say that"

"Mom is he or is he not cheating" tell me he's not chea...

"Yes" silent sobs escape her lips. What? You have got to be kidding me. I'm sure this is just a bad a dream. It can't be real. "Yes, Abbie. Your dad has been seeing someone else and she's pregnant" what the heck?

"What? How long have you known?"

"I found out about 7 months ago"

"What the heck, mom! You found out that he's been cheating on you almost a year ago and you still put up with his shit. Why would you do that to yourself? Why did you hurt yourself for so long?" I can't believe this. Why would my dad cheat?

"I'm sorry. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to hate your dad, or lose focus on your studies"

As much as I want to yell at my mom for taking this shit from my dad, I know I have to console her. She's already hurt and she already feels bad for whatever has been happening. The last thing I want to do right now is upset her.

"Mom, I want you to know that you can tell me anything you want without worrying about me loosing focus on my studies. I'm stronger than you think. I know no explanation can justify what dad did or is doing, so I won't try to give an explanation for it, but I want to you know that I'll always be here for you and you can talk to me whenever you want to" my mom didn't say anything. Instead, she gave my a tight hug and broke into a sob. This is awkward. I have no idea what to do. I've never seen my mom like this. My hand moved to her back, and I pat her lightly on her back before she pulled away and wiped her tears.

"Thank you, Abbie. Its just... I've been so stressed and emotional lately. I'm sorry"

"Since when did moms start thanking and apologizing to their daughters?" I said, in an attempt to lighten the mood. My mom smiled, and I silently thanked God when a saw her smile. I hate seeing my mom cry.

"Since now, I guess" she sniffed. "It's a school night. You better get some sleep"

I rolled my eyes jokingly "whatever mom. Goodnight". She kissed me on my forehead and left my room. Finally. Time to think. When, how and why did my dad start cheating? Why would he get her pregnant? I have so many questions for the man I've called my father for years, who I apparently know nothing about. Are my parents really getting divorced? A buzzing sound snapped me out of my thoughts. Its my phone. When I picked it up, I saw a text from Robert saying *goodnight babe. I love you* I smiled, and decided to get some sleep.