Not quite ready to start the argument that was sure to follow, I didn’t answer her. Instead, I watched Amelia playing on the floor.
I heard my mother huff, but I ignored her.
“Caley, what’s wrong?” my dad asked.
I looked up at him, wishing it were just the two of us in this room. I’d always been closer with him. He never treated me the way my mom did.
“I left Joey,” I said. Though my voice was quiet, it was as if I’d shouted.
My father stayed completely still, but I heard my mother’s sharp intake of breath. For a moment, the room was completely silent, even Amelia was quiet before she started pushing buttons on one of her musical toys.
“You did what?” my mother demanded, her voice already rising.
“I left Joey,” I said again.
“Why would you do something like that?” she shouted.
“Caley, what happened?” my father asked, his voice controlled.
“I’m not happy with him. I haven’t been for a long time.” I kept my eyes on him, too afraid to look at my mother.
“You’re not happy?” my mother asked, her voice filling the room. “Who the hell cares if you’re not happy? Your happiness doesn’t matter. Amelia’s does. But I’m sure you didn’t even think about her when you decided to tear apart her family!”
“Of course I thought of her!” I turned to my mother, her words filling me with rage. “She’s all I’ve thought about since she was born. I didn’t make this decision on a whim. I’ve thought out the outcomes, and I feel she’ll be happier with us separated.”
“Versus what? Staying together and seeing both of her parents together?” my mother shot back.
“I’d rather she see us apart and happy than see us together and screaming at each other,” I said, my own voice rising.
“Enough, both of you!” my father cut in, silencing us. “Caley, come with me. Margaret, stay here.”
“Don’t tell me to stay here!” my mother said as she glowered at both of us.
“Stay here,” my father said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Come on, Caley.”
I hurried to my feet and followed him out of the living room. I could hear my mother muttering under her breath as we walked away.
My father led me back outside and across the yard to where the woods began. He stayed silent as we walked between the towering trees. Ten minutes later, we finally arrived at our destination—his hunting shelter. It was a simple platform set up in a large maple tree. Three sides were enclosed, leaving only the front open. We climbed the wooden ladder up to the platform. Once we were in, he sat down on the edge. Unsure of whether or not I should sit, I stood awkwardly behind him.
“Sit down, Caley.”
I sat.
“Tell me what’s going on,” he said.
I sighed. “You know how miserable I’ve been.”
He nodded.
“It just keeps getting worse and worse. I can’t take it anymore, Dad. I’ve tried over and over again, but I’ve reached my breaking point. If I stay with him any longer, I don’t know what will happen or what I’ll become.”
My father reached over and squeezed my shoulder. “And you don’t love him, not at all?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so. I mean, I will always love him in a way, but I’m not in love with him. I haven’t been for such a long time. I can’t even remember what that kind of love feels like.”
“I knew this would happen,” he said after a moment.
“What do you mean?”
“You married him too young, Caley. You two had issues before then, issues that told me you wouldn’t last. People change. They grow apart. You two are a perfect example of people who loved each other but outgrew the other.”
“Why didn’t you say anything before now?” I asked, shocked.
“Because it’s not my life to live. It’s yours. You have to make your own choices even if they end up being the wrong ones.”
“Do you think leaving him is the wrong choice?” I asked, needing my dad’s advice now more than ever.
He shook his head. “No. I just wish Amelia weren’t a part of the equation. This is going to change her entire future.”
“I know, but I think it’ll change for the better. She’s so young now. She won’t remember the fighting and screaming. She won’t have to watch me cry over and over again.”
“It sounds as if you’ve really thought this through,” he said.
“I have. I’ve thought about it so many times, trying to find an answer that would work best for everyone. This is the best I can do.”
“What about Joey? How did he take it?”
“Not well at all. He kicked me out.” I sighed. “I was hoping I could stay with you for a while until I can find a place of my own. I have a little money saved up already. I just need a bit more.”
“You can stay with us for as long as you want, but I fear you might not want to. Your mother isn’t going to make this easy for you.”
“What do you think I should do?” I asked.
“I’ll give you money to rent a new place.” He grinned. “Just don’t tell your mother, okay?”
I frowned. “How on earth do you stand her? All these years, and I can’t remember one time when you fought with her or acted like you were anything but happy. How is that possible? We both know how she is.”
He chuckled. “Caley, when you love someone the way I love your mother, you look past the bad and focus on only the good.”
“I suppose,” I said. “I wouldn’t know what that kind of love feels like.”
“Maybe not, but I think you will one day. Joey wasn’t the right man for you, but I have no doubt that you’ll find someone who will love you the way I love your mother.”
“I hope so,” I said, my mind drifting to Ethan. “God, I hope so.”
I spent the rest of my Sunday at my parents’ house, trying to avoid my mother at all costs.
After returning to the house from my walk with my father, I had lugged my bags and Amelia’s into my room. I spent most of the afternoon unpacking our stuff and organizing it inside my old dresser and closet. Once that was done, I stripped my bedding and threw it into the washer. It had been years since I’d slept in here.
When evening rolled around, I had my bed made and the room sorted. Amelia was playing on her mat on the floor. I sat on the edge of my bed and watched her, smiling for the first time in what felt like days. She was good at that—making me smile. Even in the worst of times, simply watching her play would bring me more joy than I’d ever thought possible.
When my phone vibrated next to me on the bed, I picked it up to see a text from Ethan.
Everything okay?
I instantly felt guilty over not texting him earlier. I had been so preoccupied with my room and avoiding my mother that I’d forgotten to let him know I was okay.
Yeah, I’m good. I’m at my parents’ house now. I’ve moved back into my old room.
That’s good. I’m sure you’ll be happier, staying with them. Anyway, I won’t bother you. I just wanted to check on you.
I smiled. Ethan worried about me more than anyone else I knew.
Thanks for that. I’ll fill you in on everything tomorrow at work, okay?
Sure. I’ll talk to you then.
I tossed my phone back down onto the bed and turned my attention back to Amelia. It wasn’t long before my dad was knocking on my bedroom door, letting me know that dinner was ready.
Annoyed that I would have to deal with my mother again, I scooped Amelia up off the floor and followed him toward the kitchen.