The Last Fall

9

CHERYL's POINT OF VIEW

"Okayyyy, so- who's down for a family movie night tonight?" I asked Cai and Ciyle as we all sat at the dining table.

Cai looked up at me and gave me a look of confusion.

"How can we have a family movie night when...Dad and Dana aren't even here?" She then asked me.

"I mean, I know that but- we can do it without them. It can be how it used to be. We all can agree on a movie, get in our pajamas and just eat popcorn all night. Remember?" I asked them as I smiled.

"Maybe...we shouldn't." Ciyle said as he continued looking down at his plate.

"Come on you two. Every time you guys come over here- we never do anything. I want to spend some time with you but you two have to actually WANT to spend time with me as well. That's how it works." I explained.

"Ma, we don't want to spend time with you. I'm just being honest..." Cai said as she stared at me.

I looked away from her and took a deep breath.

"Well, Ma- I do but Cai doesn't-..." Ciyle said as he looked over at Cai.

"What did I tell you, Ciyle? Stop being nice to the woman who tore our entire family apart. Stop giving her sympathy. She FUCKED her best friend behind OUR Fathers back. Did you forget that?" Cai yelled at Ciyle across the table.

"You need to learn how to forgive and forget, Caiya. She's our Mother." Ciyle said to her in a calm tone.

"Forgive? Forgive her after all that she's done? Lying on me? Lying straight to his face? She even treated you as if you barely existed. She didn't care about you...she doesn't care about any of us. ITS AN ACT!" Cai yelled at Ciyle.

"GO TO YOUR ROOM!" I yelled at Cai. She was startled and jumped.

"I'd rather." She said as she stared at me for a moment and then stood up. "Momma's Boy." She then said to Ciyle.

Ciyle just sat there and looked at her with disappointment on his face.

Cai then rolled her eyes at him and walked out of the dining room.

I watched her leave and tried my best not to cry. I feel as if I lost my daughter in multiple ways.

Without me realizing, I stared down at my plate and a few tears started to flow from each eye.

"Ma, don't cry." Ciyle said to me as he then stood up and made his way over to me.
He then hugged me as I sat there wiping my tears away.

"I'm fine, baby boy." I said as I tried to get myself to stop crying. I felt bad for all that I've done but losing my daughter has been the hardest thing for me to grasp.

"Just give her time." Ciyle told me as he kissed my forehead.

I just nodded my head and Ciyle made his way back into his seat.

I can't just give her time. She's my daughter, I need to fix our relationship but as of right now- she doesn't want one.