When Camellia moved to a new town, she didn't expect to even like it there. Let alone find a second family, friends and love, all of whom were hiding a great secret. It all started that Autumn of 1993.
(The song that inspired this story, in case any...
My mother has contacted a lawyer and has the divorce petition papers on the table when he appears.
He tries to kiss her but she shakes out of his arms masterfully and walks to the other side of the table. I am standing with my back against the kitchen counter and watch how this is going to play out.
The man looks at us suspiciously. "What is this"? He asks and my mother takes a breath and braces herself. "This is me, choosing what is best for me and my child." She says and I cheer internally.
You go mama
"And what is that"? My father asks sarcastically.
"Getting a divorce." my mother spells it out for him and I see him pale.
"What"? He asks seemingly lost.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
"These are the papers Pike. I have already read through and signed everything. Your turn now". She slides the papers over to him and retakes her spot at the head of the table.
"I ain't signing shit" my father goes from pale to dark red real quick. His eyes are on fire as all the blood flushes to his face and he slams his hand on the table. He has never been violent before, but I take a step closer to my mother.
"You are going to sign those papers, gather your things and leave this house. I don't want you in here and I don't want you near my child until she is 18 and she can choose if she wants you in her own house." My mother says calmly and his eyes dart to me.
"You agree to this"? He asks in disbelief.
"I don't have to agree to anything. It isn't my marriage that you have ruined" i answer coldly.
As if in a daze he pulls the papers closer to himself and starts reading.
"How long was it Pike"? My mother asks once the papers are signed.
"Three years". He doesn't bother to refuse anything. I narrow my eyes as my mother gasps and then nods. "Alright. Well. I will see you at the trial" she says and that is that. My father doesn't argue further. He puts his things in a suitcase, stands at the door for a few moments, looking at us, and then without a word, he leaves.
I feel my own blood boil as I storm out the door after him, ignoring my mother's shouts and catch up to him. He stops surprised and stands still even after I have punched his chest.
"Why dad? What is it that I could have done better"? I shout at him. "Is it because of that test you got so angry about? Because I didn't help at the fields last year? Is it because I don't want to be an engineer or a doctor"? He takes my hands in his and I let him.
"It's not you, Camellia. Your mother and I, she deserves someone better. Someone who can love her like she deserves to be loved. We both know that person is not me." You bet I know!
"Your mother was my safe pass Camellia. If it wasn't for her my life would have gone down hill long ago. I like men Camellia. Marrying your mother was a way for the world to stop talking" i take a step back surprised.
"You like men"? I ask and he nods. "What about me? How did I...I me... you"...I try to say and hw shakes his head
"I really tried for the first years of our marriage to make it work. We were young, you were conceived when we were only twenty my girl." i allow his hand on my shoulder. maybe it sbecause of the shock.
" We were married for a year when you came. I regret many things darling. You are not one of them. I promise, even if everything else in my life was a mistake, you are not" he gets in his car and drives away without another word, another look or another touch. He drops the bomb and leaves.
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