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“Now that that’s over, you want to tell me what else is on your mind?”
I love how he’s not afraid to dig into my feelings, not afraid of me bringing my issues to him. “My parents are divorcing.”
Why I’m so overwhelmed is weird. I was happy when my mom said she was leaving my father after news of his affair came out and pissed when she decided to stay.
Now, I feel numb.
Two divorces are happening in my family this year—mine and my parents’.
He stands on the other side of the island. “I’m sorry.”
“I …” I stop to clear my throat. “It might be my fault.”
“The fuck it is. Everyone in this town knows your father is to blame.” He shakes his head. “Don’t you dare think that.”
“Yes, but my mom didn’t leave him after she found out about the affair. She’s leaving in fear of setting a bad example to her daughters.”
“Does her staying with him set a nice example?”
“Every situation is different.”
He nods. “I agree.”
“It’s …ugh.It’ll be weird, them not being together, you know?”
“Yeah. It was the same when my mom left, but it became our new normal.”
My mouth falls open.
Holy shit. Is Maliki getting personal with me?
Do I act like I know what my father told me?
“When did your mom leave you?”
“Yes. When I was six and my sister was nine.” His face is blank, offering me not an ounce of emotion.
“Did she tell you she was leaving?”
“Nope. I came home one day, and all her shit was gone. She never came back.”
“Do you know where she is now?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t care to know. She chose to leave, to not take us with her, and never come back. That’s it. I won’t fight for anyone’s love. She did what a mother should never do, regardless of the situation.”
I want more.
I want everything personal he has to offer.
“Why did she leave?”
“I don’t know. Years ago, when we were moving my dad’s shit, we found her good-bye letter. She blamed it on the bar, on my father making it a priority over his family and not showering her with enough attention. He needed to find out what it was like, taking care of a family, is what she said. I was furious with my father and blamed him for everything. In actuality, it was both of their fault. Her letter proved she didn’t deserve me looking for her.” He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, shaking his head, and offers his hand. “Come on. We’ve had enough depressing shit for one day. Let’s do something fun.”
I perk up in my stool. “Like what?”
“You pick.”
“Well …” I draw out.
