The Only Exception

two

"And my momma swore that she would never let herself forget."

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"Ellie, time to go see your mom!"

"But daddy I don't' want to!"

"I know baby girl but you have to. If it was up to me, you wouldn't have to go."

I sighed and nodded my head. It was summer and I had to spend 3 weeks with my mom. It has been 8 months since momma left me and daddy. I hated going to my mom's house. She lives 2 hours away from us and always meets dad at a halfway point. Dad loads my bag into the back seat, puts me in my booster seat, and buckles the seat belt. He gets into the front and turns on the car, driving away from our house. 

"Ellie I need you to be on your best behavior."

"Uh, I always am."

"Oh Yeah?" He said looking at me in the mirror.

"Uh yeah! I'm the best!" He smiled and chuckled at me. 

"That you are baby, that you are."

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"Baby wake up."

"Huh?"

"We're here, your mom isn't here yet, but she should be soon."

I nodded my head and stretched my arms and legs out. I got out of the car and waited alongside my dad. Thirty minutes went by and my mom still wasn't here. Dad was getting a little mad and so he got his phone out and called her. He put it on speakerphone and waited for her to pick up. He had to call her two more times before she answered.

"Jayden what do you want?"

"Diana, where are you?"

"What do you mean?"

"For god's sake, Diana, are you home?"

"Yes and I just woke up. Why Jayden, what is so important that you need to call me at 1 in the afternoon."

"Our daughter Diana. It's your week and you aren't here."

"Shit. I forgot."

"We're going home. You can shove your visiting rights up your ass. The judge said if you didn't get her then you lose those rights."

"No please! Don't take it to court! I'm on my way now!"

"Diana we are not going to wait another hour for you to get here. Ellie and I are going home. Don't waste your time." He hung up and took a deep breath.

"She seriously forgot again?"

"I'm sorry baby. I'm trying to be a good father, it's just not working."

"Dad, shush up. You are an awesome dad! Like you bought me ice cream because I hurt my knee riding my bike. You're the best daddy ever!"

"Thank you, sweetheart, how about we go out and have a late lunch?"

"I'd love that!"

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"Mr. Jayden Michael Johnson, you now have full custody of 8-year-old Ellison Tate Johnson. Diana Lianne Ryland will no longer have any rights regarding her daughter, she is required to pay $250 a month for child support and is not allowed to contact Ellie unless you say otherwise. You are dismissed."

"Yay Daddy you did it!"

"Thank you, Ellie!"

"You're welcome, Dad!"

I looked over to see my mom crying and holding onto her new boyfriend. 

"Dad, can I go say bye to mom before we leave?"

"Sure honey, go right ahead."

"Thanks, dad!" I ran over to her and I smiled at her. "Momma there isn't a reason to be crying. Daddy is still going to let you have contact with me and you'll be able to see me. Only when you put effort into it though, because I don't want to have to wait almost two hours waiting for you again."

"You're right baby and I'm so sorry I kept forgetting."

"It's ok momma, I forgive you!" I threw my arms around her waist and squeezed tightly.

"Ellie it's time to go back home doll!" My dad called from the door.

"Bye momma, I have to go, but I love you! And I don't know who you are, but treat my momma right or I'm gonna beat you up. Bye now!" Running to my dad, I heard my mom say that she loves me and bye as well. I also heard the other guy laugh but I was serious, I'm almost 9 years old now so I don't know why he would laugh, but oh well. 

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posted; 10-4-2019