December 24, 2001
Six year old, April and her thirteen year old sister, Camille, were in their room waiting for twelve o'clock to hit in hopes to see Santa Claus putting their presents under the tree. Both girls carefree, watching 8 Days of Christmas by Destiny's Child on MTV play on the countdown. Both dancing and singing to the music, battling each other over who's Beyoncé.
This was quickly interrupted when glass was heard, breaking against the wall along with yelling. Camille turned off the television and ran to the door. April began following. "Stay over there, April." Camille pointed to the bed where they were.
Camille walked out, peaking over the balcony looking at their mother and April's father arguing about his infidelity.
"I was the best thing that happened to you, Jay! And you do me like this!?" Their mother, Cassidy, yelled at him, throwing another vase but, he dodged it, causing it to crash into the wall and shatter into pieces.
"Cass, I'm sorry but, I just wasn't happy. I just want to move on." Jay calmly spoke, almost sounding like he didn't care about how she was feeling at the moment.
"What about April? You leave and go with that other woman, you're leaving your daughter." Cassidy pointed up to the balcony like she was pointing to their rooms. Camille moved back not wanting to be seen but, want to still see.
"Then, I'll take her with me." Jay confidently said, standing tall.
"You are not taking my baby so, I guess you're not leaving." Cassidy protested, crossing her arms.
"Cass, I'm leaving. And if you won't let me take my daughter then... I guess I am leaving her too." He picked up his luggage that he had by his sides, "I'll be back for the rest of my things tomorrow morning. Goodbye, Cassidy."
Jay walked out the door, slamming it, without hesitation or second thoughts. Cassidy began crying, sitting on the living chair. Camille wanted to go comfort her but, whimpering was heard from the bedroom. She ran back in the room closing the door.
"Is he really gone?" April asked looking up at Camille with tears in her eyes and her cheeks.
"No. No, he's coming back." Camille lied, walking over to her little sister, putting her arms around her crying little sister. "He'll be back, don't worry."
"Will he be back for Christmas?" April questioned but, it was hard for the thirteen year old to lie about. She had to put a truth in there somewhere.
"Maybe not, pebbles," Camille answered, calling her by her nickname she made up for her, "But, he'll be back really soon."
"He hates me, doesn't he?" April sniffed, rubbing her eye.
"Pebbles, he loves you."
"He didn't even say goodbye." April cried even harder, still rubbing her eye.
"Pebs..."
Cassidy knocked on the door to their room, coming in at command of Camille. Cassidy came in with her arms around her torso, She'd looked like she was crying hard but, she stopped crying for her girls. She had to be that strong mother.
