5

“Paula, how is Amy?” Was the first thing Henry said the moment he picked her call.

He was worried about Amy’s well being as she wasn’t answering her phone.

“Well, good morning to you too, Henry.” Paula replied, rolling her eyes.

“Where is Amy? Is she there with you? I need to talk to her.”

“You don’t wanna do that.” She countered.

“If I didn’t, I won’t be telling you.” He retorted, as he wasn’t in the mood for Paula’s mind games.

“Fine. If you want to talk to your daughter, give her a call then.”

“She isn’t answering any of my calls.”

“Look Henry, I called you so we could talk.”

“About what?”

“Our daughter, obviously.” Paula couldn’t believe Henry would ask such an absurd question.

“The last time I saw Amy cry was when she was five years old. And that was because she scraped her knee while playing in the park… Henry, last night I witnessed my baby sob because of you. Never in a million years would I have believed that such a day would come.”

“Paula, I really need to speak to her. To tell her how sorry I am.” Henry pleaded with his ex-wife.

He was hurting as much as Amy, she could tell from his voice. But right now isn’t the time for apologies, they needed to talk. Besides, knowing how Amy can’t stay mad at her dad, they’ll probably be reconciled by the end of today.

“That isn’t the issue, Henry.” She stated.

“Then, what is?” He angrily asked.

Just what she thought. They can’t have a conversation about their daughter without getting angry and yelling at each other.

“You have no right to impose your choices on our daughter.”

“I’m her father, remember?... Besides, when have I ever imposed anything on Amy? Get your facts right, Paula, before starting an argument.”

“Then why in God’s name are you insisting that she goes to college this year when she obviously doesn’t want to.” Paula was trying really hard to control her anger.

Henry never liked her choice of career. He hated the fact that she was a criminal lawyer because he feared she was exposed to danger, so he never held back when expressing his distaste for her job at the slightest opportunity.

“Going to college after highschool isn’t my choice, Paula. It’s the normal way life goes… For Christ sake, I only want what’s best for my daughter.”

“I’m her mother, goddamnit!” Paula yelled as she couldn’t hold it in anymore.

He always slaps it in her face that he is the better parent because Amy loves him more. She knows she is partly to blame for that because she never really had a mother- daughter time with Amy due to her job, and that was also one of the reasons why Henry never encouraged her choice of work. But, she still tried her best to be the mother Amy would love, the type she could come to when she needed advice. So why does Henry derive pleasure in mocking her at every chance he gets.

                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   Amy woke up with a slight headache and she hated it. Why did she cry so much last night?

Was it just because of the fight she had with her dad or was it because last night her mom was worried about her and sincerely wanted to know what was upsetting her even when she insisted that she wanted to be alone.

She dragged herself out of bed and made her way to the bathroom to freshen up. When she was done, she wore a pink swimsuit with denim shorts and wrapped her hair in a ponytail before leaving her bedroom.

On her way downstairs, she heard yelling and wondered if her mom was having an argument with her husband, Chris. But as she got closer, she realized that her mom was indeed arguing with someone on the phone, it was her dad. Just as she made it to the foot of the stairs, the call ended.

Her mom let out a heavy sigh and covered her face with her hands like she was crying. From the little she could make out of the argument, her mom was on her side, she was in support of her getting herself together before going to college. Maybe, she wouldn’t have gotten into a fight with her dad if her mom was there.

Why did her parents end their marriage? Amy wondered as she took gentle steps towards her mom.

“Mom?” She carefully called.

Paula was startled to hear her daughter’s voice. She thought Amy was still asleep, that was why she decided make the call. She guess she was wrong.

'Oh no! Amy must’ve heard her arguing with Henry.' Paula suddenly became nervous.

“Hey baby, I didn’t know you were awake.” She shakily said.

“I just got out of bed.” Amy replied in a quiet voice, carefully observing her mom.

“Mom, are you okay?” She finally asked the question that she has been burning to ask.

“I’m fine, honey. I’m okay. Let’s have breakfast… You know, Carl didn’t want to go to school cos he was excited to know that you came over.” Paula replied, quickly changing the subject.

Amy got the hint and didn’t ask her mom any question with regards to the phone call.

They had breakfast and Amy suggested that they go shopping so she could get something for her baby brother since she didn’t have the time to do that the night before.