The Sword called Divorce

                “Sweetheart, you know we love you, right?”

                Marie cocked her head and peered from one parent to the other. Something was up. She sensed it.

   Daddy didn’t usually call a family meeting to say how much he loved them. This was different and serious, especially as she looked at Mummy’s face and saw her trying hard not to frown.

                “We know! We know!” sang Bella, her ever-happy-adorable-yet-pain-in-the-butt younger sister.

                “Good. That’s my girl.” Daddy pulled her into his laps, a small smile playing on his lips.

“What’s happening daddy?” Thirteen year old Marie asked, curious.

                Her daddy averted his eyes and glanced at Mummy who sat beside him with her head bowed. Marie could read the look in his eyes…it was a silent plea.

                There was no forthcoming response from Mrs Babalola. She remained still, almost oblivious to her surroundings.

                Daddy sighed and cleared his throat. “Your mum and I will always do what’s best for you, you know that girls, don’t you?”

                Now she was sure of it. There was a big news coming. This was definitely not normal. The suspense was killing her. And why was Mummy sitting like she’d just lost someone?

                Oh no! Had anyone died? Was it her mum’s favourite brother? Was that why Mummy seemed so sad?

                “Surprise, daddy?Surprise?” Bella clapped her hands gleefully. “Tell! Tell!”

                This time Mummy looked up and that was when Marie saw the tell-tale signs of tears in her eyes. What! Mummy was crying? Then someone had really died.

                “Just tell them Joe.” Mummy said softly.

                “I can’t.” Daddy’s voice sounded strange. Like he was choking.

                “Tell us what, Mummy? Did anyone die?” Marie asked, looking frantic now.

               

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Nike Babalola couldn’t bear to look at her children. Especially Marie…her question had sent a spear right through her heart.

                “Mummy, did anyone die?”

Yes sweetie. She wanted to say. Our marriage. Your father just killed our marriage.

                But she didn’t speak, couldn’t. She was afraid that she’d burst into tears if she dared say a word.

                “No one died, Marie. It’s just...” Her husband paused again.

Say it already! She wanted to scream. Tell them how you went and slept with someone else. Tell them how you broke our marriage vows. Tell them how you tore this family apart with your singular selfish act!

                “Your mummy and I…” Another pause. “We…we are getting a divorce and we need you to be strong.”

                Finally!

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Marie was sure she’d heard wrong. This was a joke. A big joke.

She’d wait for the punch line. The right time to laugh was coming. Definitely.

                Ten seconds passed. Then twenty. No punchline. No laughter. Just silence.

                Even Bella was silent.

                No, no, no!

                “This is a joke, right daddy? Mummy?” Marie eventually spoke.

“I’m sorry sweetheart, but no.It’s true.” Daddy said, still holding Bella.

                “Why?” It was the only thing she could think of to say. She was already boiling inside.

                “We…we’ve had some problems. Adult stuff. Married people problems.”

                “That you can’t fix?” She blurted.

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Joe Babalola looked away from his daughter who suddenly seemed so much older. He could see the challenge in her eyes. His hot-blooded daughter.A true daughter of her mother.

                “Tell me daddy! Mummy, is it a problem you can’t fix?” Marie asked again, her voice going up a notch.

                Answer her Nike. Joe willed her silently. Tell her why we can’t fix this. Tell her why you can’tforgive me for my stupid mistake. Tell her why we have to break our family  apart because of my mistakes…because of your unforgiveness.

                Tell her, because I can’t. I can’t look my lovely daughters in the face anymore and tell them I’m leaving them. It will kill me.

                Please Nike. Forgive me for their sakes.

                His eyes searched her face for any sign that she was feeling the same pain he was.

                “I can’t believe this! You both are the most wicked parents ever! You didn’t even try to fix it for our sakes! Look at Bella! Have you suddenly stopped loving us?” Tears were pouring down her eyes now. “I hate you both! I wish I’d never been born into this stupid family! Get your divorce…I don’t care!”

                With that she ran out of the living room.

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She couldn’t seem to stop crying. Her chest kept constricting when she tried to choke back the tears.

                This was a dream. It couldn’t be happening. She was going to wake up and realise what a bad dream it was. Yes.

                Even as she thought it, Marie knew it was real. Every bit of it. Her family had fallen apart. She was going to be one of those kids with divorced parents. Kids who moved up and down from one parent’s house to the other.

                Her life as she knew it was over. She would never have a happy home to come to, no sitting on her daddy’s laps or hanging out with mummy in the kitchen. No family outings or family dinners.

                It was all gone. With that sword called Divorce.

                Why did it even exist? Why give people a choice to walk out of their marriage if they were not comfortable with it? Why couldn’t they fight for their love? Why!

                She knew she’d said a lot of hateful things to her parents…maybe they deserved it. How were she and Bella going to cope with this new development?

                She didn’t want to think about it. At least not now.

                She lay on her bed and closed her eyes as the tears poured out.

                What would a divorce do to her?