Chapter 2

2 My dad.

He hardly ever hugs me.

And he's never taken me for burgers.

One time, I tripped on the sidewalk and couldn't help it, I started crying.

I looked up at Dad, reaching for him, asking quietly, "Hug?"

He frowned, saying to Mom, "How are you raising this kid? Crying over nothing. She can't be so spoiled."

I didn't understand everything Dad said.

But I knew he was mad at Mom.

Because I fell?

Or because I cried?

I quickly wiped my tears, trying to ignore the pain, and stood up myself.

I walked to Mom, holding my arms out in front of her, like a shield.

"I'm okay, I'm not hurt at all. Dad, please don't yell at Mom anymore, please."

Dad glanced at me, didn't say anything, and just walked away.

I looked up at Mom, hoping she'd praise me.

Her eyes were watery, and she pinched my cheek, saying, "I'm sorry, honey. Mom is so sorry."

The teacher told us.

Only people who do something wrong need to say sorry.

I shook my head, saying seriously, "Mom, you don't need to be sorry."

Because the one who did something wrong.

It's never my mom.

My dad rarely comes home.

And every time he does, he fights with Mom.

The last time he was home, I got a gold star, and Mom bought me a burger to celebrate.

Dad walked in the door and threw all the burgers on the table in the trash.

"I'm not home, so you just feed her junk food every day? Is that how you take care of our daughter?"

I got scared and hugged Mom, crying.

Mom gently wiped my tears, telling me not to be afraid, saying, "You're misunderstanding. It's just..."

"I don't need your explanation."

Dad interrupted Mom impatiently.

He threw a thick stack of papers at her, saying, "Divorce papers. Take a look, just sign them."

"This house is yours, the car too. The kid..."

"I want the kid!"

Mom held me tightly, her fingers digging into my shoulders, kind of hurting.

But I didn't pull away, because I could feel her hands shaking.

She must be really scared.

I hugged Mom back, as tight as I could, wanting to give her strength.

"Your house, your car, your money, I don't want any of it. I just want Lily. She's my daughter."

Dad stared at her for a second, then laughed.

A laugh that made me uncomfortable.

"Sarah, where did you learn that new trick? Playing the good mom, using our kid to threaten me?"

Mom's usually sweet face turned angry, and she looked away, not looking at Dad.

"I'm not threatening you. I just want my daughter."

"What's she going to do with you? Eat junk food all day?"

I didn't understand what they were saying.

But I knew what divorce meant.

Tommy at school told us.

His mom and dad got divorced, and he lives with his dad.

Some mean kids teased him, "Your mom doesn't want you! You don't have a mom anymore!"

Tommy cried so hard.

I gave him a candy, Mom put in my pocket.

I comforted him, "Don't cry, your mom wouldn't leave you."

But he just cried harder, yelling, "They're divorced! They don't want me! I don't have a mom and dad anymore!"

That scared me a lot.

And now, I remembered that.

And started crying.

"I don't want you to get divorced! I want my mom and dad! I want my mom and dad!"

Mom was heartbroken.

And started crying too, holding me tight.

Dad froze, got even angrier, frowning, very impatient.

"Sarah, what kind of crap are you teaching her? So much drama for a little kid. You think you can control me with our kid, that I won't divorce you?"

Mom lifted her head, and this was the first time I'd seen her so angry.

"Jason, I won't let you talk about my daughter like that. Apologize to her."

"Your daughter? Sarah, I'm not letting her live with you. Forget it."

Again.

Dad slammed the door.