Memoir

Julia Chiaramonte

Mr. Freitas

ENG3U-13

07 July 2018

Memoir

I knew something was not right between my parents for a while. They would constantly fight, most of the time it was over the smallest things. My brother and I hated it so much, but we never said anything, we just tried to ignore it. We hoped that it would eventually stop, which it did, but it felt like it was neverending at the time. There were so many signs that something like this would happen, but I was too young to notice them. Now, I see them clear as day.

I was in my bedroom when my mom called me into the living room. I walked in and saw my brother sitting on the big armchair that was in the corner of the room. My dad was standing beside my mom, who was sitting on the futon in front of the chair. I had no idea what was happening, so I decided to sit beside my brother. My dad grabbed the remote and muted the TV, which he always does when he wants to say something important. I assumed my brother and I were in trouble for arguing, or something. “You know we love the both of you very much. This has absolutely nothing to do with the both of you,” my dad said. Of course I knew they loved us, but what was the big deal? What were they going to say?

“Your father is going to be moving out for a while. It’s not permanent- we just need some time apart,” My mom said. My mind immediately assumed the worst, so like any curious child, I asked, “Are you getting a divorce?” My parents shook their heads, and quickly denied. “No, we just aren’t together anymore. We’re still married, but it’s like we’re not,” my dad tried to explain so we’d understand. I understood, since they were technically still together. I looked over to my brother, who was crying. He’s 6 years old, he’s younger than me, so it’s okay for him to cry. I’m 9 years old, I’m the older sister, so I have to be tough and act like everything’s okay. I didn’t want to cry, but then my mom said, “It’s okay if you want to cry, Julia.” I’m closer my mom, I always was. She always knew how I was feeling. I let out a few tears, which I didn’t want to, whereas my brother was sobbing his little heart out. I decided to go to my room, where I closed the door and cried like a baby. I sat on my bed and stared at myself in the mirror on my dresser that was in front of my bed. Why am I crying? They said they weren’t divorcing, so everything is fine.

They never did get back together. My dad moved out into an apartment near our house, but he decided to move back in a year later to help my mom raise us. They’re still married, but I can tell that they don’t love each other. The relationship between my dad and I was strained after the whole situation. I didn’t like hanging out with him, or when he would rearrange the furniture in the living room, but everyone hates when he does that. I’ve gotten closer to him recently, but I know I will always have a better relationship with my mom. I’m closer with her than anyone in my life. The whole situation didn’t affect me that much. Although, I remember hearing about a rumour that a girl started when we were in 6th grade, which I had no idea was going around at the time. She was telling people that my parents were divorced, which I wanted to scream out that it was not true. They were just seperated. Still married, but not in love. Maybe my life would be different if they never fell out of love, and they were still together. Married and in love. Unfortunately, that’s something I won’t ever know.