Life's Little Bumps

Chapter Ten

"Wha- what did you just say?" my mom stammered. Everyone was staring at me with surprise in their eyes.

"I said, I want to live with Dad. It isn't his fault I lost out on 10 years with him. I want to make that time up," I answered, confidently.

"Elle, you know we'll need to discuss this," John said. Vanya looked like she was about to explode and her daughter looked like the happiest person in the world.

"I know. I'm not trying to be mean. I just really need some time away from.... this." I said while rubbing my wrists. I did this when I was nervous. What the hell did I just get myself into?

"We don't have enough room. You can't live with us," Vanya blurted out. Well, glad she was on board.

"What are you talking about? We can turn Daddy's office into her room! Oh please please mommy can she move in? I want a sister!" Hailey excitedly asked. She looked about 9, the same age as Maddie. I looked over at Maddie. She was crying.

"Hey, I'll still visit. I'm not leaving for forever. You're still my sister, okay?" I gently said while kneeling in front of her. She slightly nodded her head as she crumbled into my shoulder. I started to cry for the 100th time tonight. Leaving her was going to be the hardest part.

When Maddie let go of me, I looked at my mom who was staring at me, her glass empty. She had tears in her eyes. I went over and stood in front of her limp body.

"Mom, 10 years. 10 years you've lied to me. You have to understand, I need time. I'll come back. I love you." Fuck, here she goes, crying. She clenched her eyes shut, trying to block the tears from falling.

"Okay," she mumbled. She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me.

"Wait, Mary you're okay with this?" my dad asked. She nodded her head in agreement. "Great! I'll have to office fixed up by Saturday, is that good?" 

"Yeah, I'll be all packed by then," I answer with happiness in my voice. I wiped the tears away from Maddie's eyes and give her a giant hug.

"Oh crap, it's getting late. We should get going. Hailey needs to be getting to bed soon. Bye!" Vanya interrupted. She grabbed Maddie's hand and walked down the stairs and out the door. My dad enclosed me in a hug.

"I've waited 10 years for this," he whispered.

"Yeah, me too."

"I love you."

"I love you too, Dad."

Saturday, 9:00 A.M.

"Do you have your books?"

"Yeah."

"Your jewelry box?"

"Yep."

"Do you have your charger?"

"Yes! Mom, I've got everything."

This was me and my mom, going back and forth for about an hour now. We were standing in the middle of my room, surrounded by boxes marked "Elle's Room" or "Elle's Bathroom." I had spent the last 4 days packing up my memories, ready to move into my dad's and Vanya's. Vanya had finally stopped complaining about me moving in.

"Want some waffles?" Maddie asked while standing in my doorway. She had a look of sorrow on her face, almost like she was empty. She had slept in my bed ever since I made my decision, crying every night. She, I felt, was taking this the hardest.

"Sure, I'll be down in a sec," I answered. I felt so bad. I knew she would be lonely. I knew she felt replaced. She was the one reason I considered staying.

As for Gage, he supported me fully. I would be moving closer to him, which would be nice. My dad understood how much Gage meant to me, so he kept quiet about it. Ever since he gave me the ring, things have somehow gotten even better between us. I loved him so much.

"Hey kiddo, hurry up before I eat your waffles!" John yelled up the stairs. I looked at Maddie and smiled at her while raising my eyebrow. Oh she knew what this meant.

"RACE YA!" we yelled in unison. We sprinted out of my room and down the stairs, neck and neck. We turned the corner; she was getting in front of me! I couldn't believe it. I was just beat by a 9 year old. That shows how much I need to go to the gym.

"I WINNNNNN!" she screamed in the kitchen. She did her victory dance as I sat down at the island and dug into my waffles. She joined me after about 15 seconds of glorifying her win.

"I'm gonna miss this," John said while doing the dishes.

"Yeah, me too," I replied.

"Me three," Maddie piped in.

After 5 minutes, I was finished with my waffles. We started to load my stuff into the back of John's truck. I went into my empty room, and kind of stood there for a second. I looked at the scratch on my door from when Maddie and I were playing with plastic swords. I started to tear up. I knew this was for the best, but it was still hard.

"You ready kiddo?" John said, interrupting my flashback.

"Yeah, I'm ready," I answer while slowly walking out of my now vacant room. We all loaded into the truck and pulled out of the driveway. I was in the backseat with Maddie. I grabbed her hand when we started to speed up.

About 10 minutes later, we pulled up to my dad's house. I got out, ready to start a new part of my life. Well, as ready as I'll ever be. Let's do this.