The Only Exception

one

" When I was younger I saw my daddy cry and curse at the wind. He broke his own heart and I watched as he tried to reassemble it."

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"Diana I have news and it's not good. Starting with the pay cut last week, I should've seen it coming. I was laid off today and it's going to be a while until I can get another job."

"Jayden, I have some news too."

"What is it?" 

"I'm sorry, but I want a divorce. I can't be with someone whom I don't love anymore. You can barely pay for anything anymore and I want a man who can make me happy! You just don't do that anymore. I have the papers signed. I'm not taking anything away from you and you don't need to pay me anything either and I just want visiting rights on Ellie, that's all. Keep the house, the car, everything."

I ran into the kitchen hearing all the yelling. I had my blanket my daddy bought me in my hands as well as my juice box. I watched as tears filled my dad's eyes and my mom just looked at him.

"What? Everything is fine! I just need to find another job and I can pay for whatever you want! This is just a minor set back. Just please don't leave us."

"Jayden, just sign the damn paper! I don't want to be with you anymore!" 

I might be young but I know enough to know that she isn't messing around. Whatever she was going on about, she was serious. 

"Diana I-"

"Sign the fucking paper Jayden! You have Ellie all to yourself now! What more could you want from me?"

My father looked so sad. I ran up and hugged his leg. He looked down at me and I nodded to him, letting him know everything will be ok.

"Give me the pen."

His hand was shaky, unsure if he wanted this. I knew he didn't but I hugged his leg again. He looked over the paper, to ensure that everything my mom said was true, then signed the paper in his neat cursive writing. My mom grabbed the paper and the bag that was by her and looked at me. 

"Ellie, I love you, honey. You might not understand right now, but you will when you're older."

"You don't love daddy anymore. Momma that's mean."

"I know baby. I know it's mean, but I'm sorry," She laid a kiss on my head and stood up again. "Goodbye Ellie, Momma loves you. Goodbye Jayden."

"Bye momma, I love you too."

"Bye Diana."

My mom nodded her head then shut the door, leaving us alone in the house. 

"Daddy I love you!"

"I love you too Ellie."

"Where is Momma going to go?"

"I don't know sweetie, but it's going to be ok, alright?"

"Promise?" I said sticking my pinkie out awkwardly.

"Promise." My daddy said smiling as he laced our pinkies together.

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posted; 10-3-2019