Well, I appreciate the apology. But let’s talk more when you get back, okay?
Damn… when did you get all grown up on me Cadie?
I’ve been grown up, Zach. I guess you just haven’t been paying attention.
I’m paying attention now, little one. I’ll text you when I get home.
Have fun, Zachariah.
An hour later, I’m ready to go on this date. I almost texted Brayden and canceled after my conversation with his sister. I was so close but then I decided that it might have been a little messed up. I jog down the stairs and attempt to grab my keys from the entry table when I’m stopped.
“Son? Can you meet us in the dining room please?” The sound of my mom’s tone causes me slight worry. She doesn’t sound too pleased, maybe even a little somber.
I drop my car keys in the bowl on top of the entry table before making my way over to the dining table, where both my mother and father are seated. The air shifts as I enter, like something has sunken into and putting out a sour feeling.
“Is everything okay?” I ask as I push my fingers through my hair before taking a seat across from them.
“Well, yes and no,” my father says and I don’t really know how to take that statement. Things are either bad or they’re not.
“Were you about to head out?” my mom asks.
“Well, yeah I had plans with Brayden, but it can wait,” I tell them and they both turn to look at each other for a moment.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“Zach, we’re sorry to do this but you may want to cancel your plans.” I look my dad in his eyes and I can tell that there’s a seriousness drilled into them, but also something somber bleeds through.
I observe the way they’re seated; next to each other but just enough far apart. But besides the slight waver in their tones and the display in their eyes, they belong completely stoic.
I send a quick text to Brayden explaining to him that I can’t make it due to a family emergency; something I should have done earlier if I’m being honest. But I slide my phone back into my pocket before I take a step forward.
“We want you to know that your father and I love you very much,” my father says. I look between them, trying to understand what’s happening.
“Yes, very much. And we’re very proud of the young man you’ve become too.”
“What’s going on?” I ask, starting to feel extremely uncomfortable with how formal this seems and how cryptic they’re both being right now. Something sick twists in my gut and I can’t help but to feel extreme concern wash over my face as I wait with bated breath for either one of them to just spit it out.
My father reaches over and squeezes my mother’s hand in his own and she takes a deep breath before speaking.
“Your father and I . . . well, we are getting a divorce.”
I blink.
I blink again.
But it doesn’t actually feel like I’m blinking. Or even breathing.
It feels like all the air has been sucked out of my lungs.
I squint my eyes at them, trying to figure out if I heard correctly. Trying to understand if I should laugh at what was said or hold true concern.
But this isn’t funny.
"What do you mean?" I ask, barely able to get out the words.
I blink again. I feel my heart racing, everything starts to feel hot. But I know this can’t be right.
“Zach, we want you to know that this decision has nothing to do with anything you did or could have done.”
