Unreconcilable  − August, 2000

They sat us on the couch, each wearing their own obligatory grave expression, not saying anything for the longest time. The silence spun itself around the seconds, and I was beginning to get bored with the tension. Whatever they wanted to say to us, I wanted them to do it soon. I had things to do. Travis fidgeted nervously to my left as we waited, but I remained still. I looked first into my mother's face, then into my father's, and what I saw there were two people that had spent a hard life together. You could see their battles on them like a bastardized coat of many colors. They were tired, and I felt tired for them.

It came as no surprise when they told us they were divorcing. This was really more of a formality. The game was over, and the consolation prizes had been given out. To me, their relationship had ended a long time ago. Things stretched on has they have a way of doing and every day, I imagine, the tension and resentment grew and grew. Finally, the bitterness had eaten them to the bone, and now they were calling it quits. I was glad for them. Maybe now they could be happy. Maybe.

I want you boys to know that this isn't your fault.

I wasn't stupid. I wanted to tell them this, but I didn't want to ruin the mood that they'd manage to create. No, my job now was to sit and wait for this to be over. So I only nodded solemnly, and waited to get back to my life.