"You don't understand. This will hurt her. I know what parents separating does to young kids; it ruins their childhood."
"It's the only way to resolve this. You are a terrible influence for our daughter. She doesn't need this in her life. She needs two happy, loving parents, but if you are going to continue choosing drugs and alcohol over us, then we're getting a divorce."
"I need some time to process this. I'll go live in a hotel for a while. Seems to me that someone doesn't want me here," she hissed.
Before I could respond, our 5-year old daughter, Maya, came running into the kitchen, holding a drawing. "Mommy! Daddy! Look!" We both looked over, fake smiles plastered on our faces, forgetting everything that had happened a few minuted prior, as we paid attention to our sweet, little angel. The piece of paper flimsily swung between her tiny fingers, as she came to a halt in front of the both of us.
"See, it's me as an astronaut, like daddy!" she beamed excitedly, pointing at the drawing.
"Wow! It's gorgeous, darling," I marvelled, as I tickled her.
"Hehe! Daddy! Stop It! Hehe!" she giggled, "where's mommy?" she inquired, looking around.
Now, how am I supposed to explain to a 5-year old that her mother is leaving and she can't know why? She goes to pack her bags and leaves it up to me to tell our only daughter. Umm... now how to say this nicely?
"Well pumpkin, mommy is going on a little trip."
"I want to go with mommy!" she rejoiced.
"No, I'm sorry darling. You can't go. It's for mommy's work, so only mommy can go. She should be back soon though. Go see if mommy needs help packing."
"Okay, Daddy!" she says, as she runs up the stairs, her small feet thumping as she hurries.
"How am I supposed to tell her about the divorce?" I mumble to myself as I do the dishes, "I'll wait till her mother gets back from thinking."
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Short Story"I thought I could protect her - save her - I was wrong..." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A young astronaut - since the age of 5 - has always wanted to explore the galaxy. She's always been captivated by the beauty it beholds and wanted to see it for hersel...
