The Story of Us

Chapter Four

     Jackson and Nicole started to drift away from each other after Anna was born. Nicole did everything for Anna and Jackson would never even change her diaper or give her a bottle. Jackson worked and when he came home he played a video game for the rest of the night. Jackson would not spend any time with her or Anna and would not help Nicole with anything.

     On Jackson's days off Nicole would suggest doing something together as a family. Or suggest that Anna could stay with her or his parents and they could go out someplace by themselves. Jackson never wanted to do any of that.

     "I need to go fishing!" Jackson would say.

     "But, I want to spend time with you! We never spend time together by our selves!"

     "Well, I am stressed out and going fishing relaxes me!” said Jackson harshly.

     "Why can't we do something together that would relax both of us?" asked Nicole.

     "I like to go fishing and you’re not my mother so you can't tell me what to do. So, get use to it!" said Jackson defensively as he just walked out the door. This would happen just about every time he had a day off.

     When Anna was two years old they moved about an hour away from Nicole's parents, in order to be in-between both sets of parents/grandparents.  Nicole and Anna were at home all day, every day with no car to go anywhere. Also, most of the time their phone was turned off. So, she didn't even have a phone to call anyone.

                                                           ~*********************~

     Then when Anna was Two and a half Jackson came home from work one night and said, “I think we need to get a divorce!"

     "Why? I thought everything was ok. It’s kind of hard sometimes but I thought that if we loved each other that we would be ok."

     "Well I met someone else. I have a girlfriend. You need to leave!"

     Nicole was devastated and started crying. She had no idea why he was doing this to her and Anna. She thought that they were ok and that Jackson loved her!

     Thankfully, at the time they had a phone or she wouldn't know what to do. Nicole called her parent's and told them what Jackson had done. Nicole's dad came and got her and Anna and they stayed at her parent's house for a few days. Then Nicole, her dad, and her brother went and got all of Nicole and Anna’s belongings. Nicole and Anna moved into an apartment.

     Nicole had never lived by herself before. She lived with her parent's and then she lived with Jackson. So, she was very nervous about living by herself, just her and Anna. But, after the first day on her own, she kind-of liked it, just being her and Anna. But, she really missed Jackson.

     Jackson came to visit Anna once and brought her a baby doll. "Hi Anna, I love you.” and he gave her a hug.   

     "You're apartments cute." Jackson said as he handed Nicole a hundred dollar check for child support.

     "Thanks.” Nicole said as she took the check.

     "Well I will see you later Anna." He said as he walked out the door.

      Nicole felt so nervous while Jackson was there. She loved him and missed him so much, but she felt horrible about how he has been treating her and Anna. Nicole had so many emotions running through her head, she wanted him to say he was sorry and that he wanted her to come home, so badly. But, then she also felt like she should wish that she would never have to see him again after he cheated on her.