Emma's Gymnastics Story

What's Going On...?

I scanned the whole downstairs, but there was still no one. So I just went back up—it was nothing. I just couldn't help it though—I had to go to my parents... I was kind of scared!

Up the stairs, I turned to the right to my parents room and went through the door. My dad was packing as my mom was watching carefully, wearing an annoyed face.

Startled, Mommy glanced at me and said,"What are you doing here? I thought I told you to go back to bed!"

I sadly looked down at the floor and said,"I heard you and I don't want Daddy to leave!"

Mommy sighed, looking back at Dad and said,"Emmy, there are things you won't understand right now, and I am so sorry he has to leave. But I just can't sleep with a man who isn't faithful in his marriage!"

My mouth was still froze open, I don't understand, even if I tried.

Daddy zipped his suitcase and said to me,"Come here, Em!"

I wiped a tear that was about to drip down, I ran to Daddy and jumped into his arms.

"Oh, baby girl, I'm so sorry I have to leave!" he whispered into my ears. "Don't tell mommy this, but she can be a control freak at times!"

I giggled, looking at Mommy who was smiling at me without knowing what Daddy had said! So funny! Ahhahahahhahahhaaha.

"But, listen to me, baby girl," he said, hugging me tighter and looking at me this time. "I will visit you every weekend and I will never forget about you, my beautiful little girl! I love you, Emmy, honey."

I sniffled and he wiped my tears away from my face. "I don't want you to leave, Daddy! Please don't leave me!"

He sadly said,"I'm sorry, but your mommy won't let me stay. Now let's go and tell your siblings."

I watched him walk to my siblings but I decided to stay right here with Mommy and give her a lecture!!! Is that how you use the word lecture?

"Mommy, you are such a meany!" I whined madly to her on the bed. She rolled her eyes. "Why would you make him leave? He's my daddy! I can't live without him!"

She sighed and held my hands and said,"Sweetheart, it's what you just have to do. You will understand when you are older, darling. But for now, go to him and spend every last moment has a family with him."

I sighed and listened to her, going to Daddy, who was currently in Josiah's room with Haley in it, too.

Haley was crying and I ran to hug my big sissy. "It's okay, Hale! It's just what he has to do!"

"Lemme guess? You heard that from Mom?" she sobbed, looking at me annoyed, mixed emotions, I guess. "Why do you always listen to her?"

I sighed and said,"She is right, okay!"

Daddy looked at us while in his hug with Josiah, and said,"Girls, quit arguing about it. It's all my fault—I've made the wrong choice and now Mommy is punishing me. Blame it all on me, not Emma or Mommy."

I looked at Haley who was still sobbing and then went to hug Daddy and Josiah—big group hug! I just wished that Haley had hugged us to so that it could be even bigger! Ooh, even Mama!

"Why did you make a wong choice, Daddy?" I said sadly to him.

Josiah rolled his eyes at me and replied,"Nobody's perfect so quit acting like you've never made a 'wong' choice in your life before."

Daddy looked at Josiah and said,"Hey, she did nothing wrong! She was just curious, bud. Be nicer next time, Jo."

After the hug, we sat on the top of Jo's bunk bed and just chatted about what's gonna happen, and stuff like that.

"Will you be there to watch my gymnastics meets and dance competitions, Daddy?" I asked him full of hope.

"Of course, I'm going to try to!" He exclaimed. "I will try not to miss it, my little gymnast dancer girl!"

I laughed and said,"Yay!"

Haley rolled her eyes and said,"Well, how about my softball games?"

"You know I'll try to, Hale, 'kay?" he said, looking at her.

Haley pursed her lips and nodded without emotion. Then Josiah shook his head slowly.

"How about my soccer games!?" he said impatiently.

Daddy sighed and said,"You know the answer already, Jo. Stop being silly—you know I will try, already."

Josiah sighed and then looked around. "Then I'm gonna be the only man in the house!"

Dad laughed and said,"Okay then. Well, Josiah, you are getting so old already! You're already twelve! So be the man of the house!"

Hales and I laughed and looked at them. We tried to make  it a happy time when it...really was a tragic, sad, gloomy time. We covered it up