You Never Really Can Fix A Heart (Sequel to LML&L)

Chapter 5

Gabi's POV

Yesterday, Mom told me that she needed time to think about everything and would be leaving for a while. Do I want to go with her? Maybe, but I really don't want to leave Dad behind.

I lay in bed, not wanting to wake up. I've almost completed all of my high school curriculum and all I have left to do is take the final exams next week. I'm not really worried about school at the moment, though. My job and home life have been taking up enough of my worries.

I can faintly hear Mom calling me to come down from my room, but I really don't want to. 

"Gabi!" I hear again. "Don't make me come up and drag you!"

I sigh and climb out of bed, keeping on my sweats and tank top to go downstairs. I'm not really hungry, but I don't want Mom to suspect that anything could be wrong with me.

"There you are," Mom says. "I really need you to decide if you're coming with me."

I look up at her pleadingly. I definitely wish that she would just talk to Dad about everything before leaving, but I know that she can be very stubborn once her mind is set on something and there probably isn't a way to convince her not to leave.

I missed out on so much life with my mom, but my dad's always been there for me. How can she expect me to choose between the two of them?

I look up at Mom. I can tell that she still loves my dad, seeing as hard I know it will be for her to leave him, but I guess she just needs a break. It's only a break, right? She'll come back? 

I decide that if they're meant to be together, Dad won't let her stay away for too long, so I probably should go with Mom.

"I guess I'll come with you," I reply.

A tiny light fills my mom's eyes and I realize just how hard all of this just be for her. Even if it is her personal choice, to her it probably seems like this is the one and only answer.

"Then let's get packing," she says.

We spend the rest of the morning packing after we've eaten breakfast. I get dressed and dig out my suitcase, then Mom and I pack up as much stuff as she thinks we'll need to bring along. 

I don't see why we have to run away without telling Dad. I don't see how it will help our situation and it's not like Dad is mean or anything. I think he'd understand if Mom just wanted to spend some time to herself. But, I guess that she just wants to prove her point.

"Tomorrow morning I'll come and get you. Be ready by 5 or so," Mom says. It's as if this is our secret plan, only I wish that Dad would wake up just then and stop us from running; I really don't want to go.

Even so, I agree and zip up my suitcase in finality to tell her that I am going to stick with her.

When all 3 of us sit around the table at supper that night, everything feels awkward. I know that Mom and Dad have already have had arguments over this, but since he doesn't know our plans, I feel as if I'm setting him up just to be betrayed. I hate it.

Dad hugs me goodnight and I head up to my room earlier than usual. I was so scared that I was starting to feel sick and decided to get to bed a little sooner. I set the alarm on my phone for 5 in the morning and lay in bed. 

Many hours pass, but I still can't sleep. I am so terrified; I wish that Mom would have just left me with Dad again and not told anyone. It's times like these where she doesn't seem very loyal, but I know that she just has trust issues.

---

The light buzz of my phone wakes me early in the morning. It is still quite dark outside and it feels as though I'm on a secret mission.

I get dressed and just as I'm pulling my sweatshirt over my head I hear a knock on the door and Mom enters my room.

"You ready?" she asks.

I nod.

"Let's go."

I grab my suitcase and we head out onto the driveway where Mom parked her car so that Dad wouldn't hear the garage door. I put my suitcase in the backseat next to Mom's, sit in the passenger seat beside her, and sigh as Mom drives off towards the sunrise.