Just A Few Miles

Ok before we start, a few things.
1. I've never been to NYC so this is mostly based on shows and I'm sorry if anything I say is Offensive.
2. I've never been to a court hearing so most of this is literally based on judge Judy.
Ok here it is
On the morning of May 30th, I, Hailey, woke up feeling nervous. Not the nervous where your eyes flit around the room, looking for nothing, but the nervous where your stomach clenches in terror and your already sweaty palms start shaking.
The reason for my nervousness was that today, the court hearing to decide which of my divorced parents I would spend this summer with takes place.
I am currently staying with my mom in the big white house we all used to share, but if I end up deciding to stay with my dad, I will have to move all the way across the city to queens where my dad moved.
As I'm staring at the wall of my room thinking, my mom's tired, scratchy voice floats down the hallway.
"Hailey, the weather's supposed to be cold today. I'd bring a jacket."
"Ok." I reply through my closed door.
As I pull my jacket on, I continue thinking about who I want to spend the summer with.
I know it doesn't seem difficult and it's only a few miles difference, it's a hard decision.
If I stay in Brooklyn with my mom, I can have everything be familiar. I can see my friends every weekend, I can go with my mom to all the lavish restaurants and shops in the area, and I'll see my dad for one weekend every month.
If I go to my dad's I can have all summer with him in Queens, I can go to my normal school in the fall, and I'll see my mom and friends for one weekend every month.
Though I'll see both of my parents, I'll still hurt the feelings of the one I don't choose.
Once again, my mom's voice snaps me out of my thoughts.
"We have to go in five minutes. Are you ready?"
I sigh before answering, "Yes."
I pull on my dirty, slightly battered sneakers, and walk to my bedroom door.
I pull it open, and shut it behind me with a resounding "Click!" This might be the last time I close it for three months.
I meet my mom in our livingroom that's stuffed full of furniture and almost start crying.
My mom looks so tired. Her smile that's usually always present does not quite reach her eyes, her gray streaked hair is tied up in a loose bun at the top of her head, and her tired, weary eyes seem to barely graze over me. I stand awkwardly in the doorway, not sure if I should speak.
"Oh Hailey. I'm so sorry you have to go through this." My mom says, her voice full of pain.
I guess I haven't stoped to think about how this is effecting her until now. She just lost her husband, and now she might loose her daughter to her husband for three months. I slowly walk over to her, and envelop her in a hug.
"It's gonna be ok mommy." I say firmly.
My mom sighs and says, "You're right, but Hailey. I want you to know that whatever choice you make, don't make it about us. I want you to know that whatever you do should be because YOU want to." I hug her tighter before pulling away.
"Thank you." I whisper.
She releases me.
"We should go."
I nod and follow her to the door. As I swing it open, the wind it creates causes the tiny hairs that couldn't quite reach the pins of my mother's bun to cyclone around her head. I smile to myself as I pull it shut behind me.
"In the car, I look around at all of the places my family used to visit together.
It's crazy that just weeks ago, there were three of us in this car. There were three of us walking in and out of the doors of the shops that are currently flying past my window. It hurts that it can never be like that again. Even if my mom get's a new boyfriend, it'll never be the original three of us. It'll never be the happy tight-nit, tell each other everything family.
We're getting to the more dangerous parts of Brooklyn now. The streets have started to get a little more grungy, The buildings a little dirtier. It shocks me how much difference a few miles can bring. One minute, you're watching elegant people bounce out of the revolving dorrs that dance like ballerinas, and the next you're watching dodgy venders try to scam people out of 100 bucks.
All of my thoughts today are circling back to the topic of who I'm spending my summer with. We have 15 miles to go, and I still don't know what I'm going to say. I have no idea what will come out of my mouth when the tall, clean-cut judge asks who I want to be with for the next three months.
13 miles,
Mom's gonna cry.
11 miles
Dad's gonna hug me too tight.
9 miles
I miss dad so much.
8 miles
If I go with dad now I can go to the same school in the fall.
6 miles
That doesn't matter you idiot. Stop thinking about it like that. It's the parent not the place.
4 miles
But I have to think about it like that because if I don't I'll get even more confused!

2 miles
We're almost here honey. get you're jacket ready."
1 mile
     "Hails?"
there
"Yeah sorry." I say snapping myself back to reality.
I have to focus now. In less than ten minutes,  I'll be making the decision. In less than 30, I'll be at the house of that decision and they'll be a two heartbroken people.
     I step out of the car with my jacket half-open. My mom was right, it's freezing. I shiver and zip my jacket higher.
As we walk toward the big brownstone like building, I spot my dad's car in the parking-lot,  but he's not in it. I guess he's already inside.
I keep following mom until we get to the door. Mom then turns to face me.
Hailey." She starts. But I quickly cut her off with "Please don't. If you start,  I'll start crying, and I've already done that enough this month." She just squeezes my hand, and with a quiet "Ok." Opens the door with a swish.

We've been walking for five minutes, and we're clearly lost. Theres so many long, wide hallways, and not enough signs. Just when mom's about to bite the bullet and call dad, we see a sign.
Court room of Judge Meranda Mendes to the right
with an arrow pointing to the right. We follow it and end up in the court room.
The  court room is mostly empty when we get there except for a posh looking bailiff,  my dad, and the judge. the judge honestly looks nothing like I thought she would. She has a full head of swinging curls and a soft smile. I honestly thought she'd look like either miss foul from Jimmy neutron or Judge Judy. Then again, I never thought I'd have to be here, and yet here I am. Standing infront of this judge who's about to ask me to change my own life. And she does just that.
     "Ok now that everyone's here, let's get started. Mr. Quortez, you and your daughter may exchange pleasantries after this depending on how it goes.  Ms.  Rayez?" She says addressing my mom. "According to this" (she holds up the cort clame) "you and you're husband Mr. Quortez split on April 3rd. Is that correct?"
    "Yes Your honor."
     "And you are here today to decide who will have primary custody over your daughter Hailey in the summer, and durring the school year. Correct?"
    "Y yes." My mom stammers.
The judge then turns to me.
    "Hailey. "Depending on which parent you choose to spend the summer with, you may have to transfer schools in the fall. If this happens, your mother will be paying  all expenses for that transfer. also, you will get to see the parent you don't choose for one weekend each month. Then when you switch, the visitation will switch. Do you understand?
     "Yes." I say even though the words mostly sound like gibberish to me.
    "So which parent would you like to spend the summer with?"
I look at my dad who I haven't seen in person in almost two months. His graying hair cut short.
Then I look at my mom who's slightly gray hair is twisted up in it's now windblown bun.
Then an idea comes to me.
    "Umm Your Honor? Would it be possible to change the visitation plan?"
    "What are you thinking?" The judge asks.
    "I could see one of my parents every weekend and on holidays and I could stay with the other on all weekdays. That way it would be almost equal time. and then I could switch every year."
     "Well I'd have to talk to our CPS officer,  but sense no abuse was involved in this divorce I think that could be arranged. So which parent would you like to spend weekdays with?"
     "Sense I have school, I'd like to spend weekdays with my mom in Brooklyn, and weekends and breaks with my dad."
    "Ok. I'll get that arranged. Is that all?"
    "Yes thank you." The three of us say in unison. 
    "Ok. Your case is closed. I'll send out a report so that you can start seeing your dad ASAP." She says to me.
I feel extatic as I walk out of the court room with my mom. I see my dad behind us and turn around.
    "Hi daddy!" I say excitedly.
    "Oh my Hailey." He says squeezing me. "You're so smart. I didn't even think about changing the plan! And you're idea of switching every year so that actually is equal time is brilliant!" he says.
I just stand there squeezing him. My mom stands awkwardly off to the side. I momentarily break away from my dad and pull her over.
    "Get in here mom!" I half shout.
Even though we'll never be the same tight-knit tell each other everything family, we're still a family, and even though we're separated,  it's only a few miles.