The Beginning

Let's Get Dinner...But Separately

There is something I love about showers. They make me feel relaxed and with everything that's going on, I wouldn't mind just staying in here. But that's not realistic. I have responsibilities. I have a son, a girlfriend and a husband. God, my life is a mess.

"Babe, hurry up. You still need to drop Brandon off at his dad's." Shit. That means I have to see Mike. I haven't spoken to him since we decided to separate so we can think things over. I don't think sleeping with a woman is thinking your marriage over Stef.

-FLASHBACK-

Why do my parents want to have lunch with me? They barely talk to me as it is. I'd rather be spending my day with Lena.

I walk in a little coffee shop and see my dad talking. I can't see who is talking to because the booth is blocking their face, but it's probably my mother. My dad sees me coming towards their table and stops his conversation. As I reach the booth, I see Mike sitting next to my mom on the other side of the table.

They didn't tell me Mike was going to be here. "What's going on?" I'm trying to remain as calm as I possibly can while I sit next to my dad.

"You tell us." My dad looks at me as if it is obvious. Is everyone else in on this?

"Frank!" My mom gives him her death stare. Even though they are divorced, they still act like they are an old married couple.

Both of my parents stare each other down until my dad finally gives in. "Fine." He takes a deep breath to regain his composure. "I had to find out from my five year old grandson that his parents are constantly fighting with each other and that his father sleeps on the couch." Oh God. I'm doomed. I hate bringing my problems up with my parents they make everything worse. "Is it true? Are you and Mike having problems?" I know that he is only trying to help us out of the kindness in his heart but he is just really frustrating me right now.

"What goes on between me and Mike does not concern the both of you." I'm not trying to sound defensive but I hate talking about this. I barely discuss this with Mike and this actually involves him.

"Yes it does. You are our daughter and we want to help you." She always plays the 'we-are-your-parents' card. Well, I am a grown woman and I can take care of myself just fine. I don't need their help and honestly I never did growing up (well up until I was able to support myself).

Silence. Of course, it's my father who breaks it. "Why are you being so distant from us? You used to tell us everything." Do they even know their own daughter? I am NOT an open book.

"That's not true." I have never liked to share my feelings, nor will I ever want to share. I just am not one of those type of people who like to talk about their emotions. I find it cowardly and well just stupid. I like to be private.

"You're right." That's something I have never heard come out of my mother's mouth. "You uses to tell us everything up until you were sixteen." She just crossed the line.

I HATE bringing this up with them. "I had a right to be distant." I tried but now they are on thin ice.

"I thought we agreed to forget about that." Great, now my dad is angry. Kill me. Just kill me now.

When will he understand that was the worst thing they did to me. They took me away from everyone I have ever loved. "I'm confused." We all turn to Mike, who up until now was probably wondering what the hell is going on. Just a normal day with the Cooper family. "What does this have to do with our marriage?"

"I'll tell you." This should be good. "Actually, Sharon, you reminded me of a good point." She did? What the hell did you get out of her little rant about Tess and my adolescence? "Mike and Stef, think about God and being good Christians. You know that it is a sin to get a divorce." Is he actually serious right now? My marriage is failing and all he can think about is God???