An empty home

The cheerful echo I hoped to hear when I entered my home from my lovely daughter Summer and a tight embrace from her. I couldn't hear her little feet running towards me and the house was completely dark. With loosing my tie, "Summer, Desmond," he called out to his children. Usually Desmond would be doing his homework at the living room. The house was quiet, far too quiet, as if someone had muted its usual hum of life. The familiar echoes of laughter, the smell of dinner, and the warmth I always expected to find were absent, replaced by a hollow stillness that made my pulse quicken.

Did Desmond had night classes today? Did Leila and Summer went out to fetch him? I called my wife, it was more puzzling when she didn't pick up my call. Feeling weary I search the house high and low for my family. 

Was the house broken into? Many possible scenarios running through my brain. Were they  hurt? I called my wife once more as I sat down at the dinning table, the call went unanswered once more. My hand were fidgety and palms began to sweat. 

I know that I forgot Desmond's game and we began to argue about it. But it wasn't a big deal right?  I took them out as an apology. I know I can be forgetful, she should at least told me where they were going.  Was mom here? Oh god what nonsense did mom spew this time. 

At the edge of the dinning table, a paper under a paper weight caught my eye. The paper wight was a handcraft from Summer for father day. With shaky hand, I reached for the note and began to read it .  My eyes began to tear and used my hand to silent my sobs. The room was filled with muffled sounds and no one was there to tell me it will be alright. 

“Alright, we’re all set. Once you both sign, the divorce will be finalized,” the lawyer said, pushing the papers forward. It's been excruciating months since my wife no my soon to be ex wife left me with the kids. I felt like my life was going out of my control. I tired to fix our relationship but my effort never came to fruit. My effort were all in vain as it always brought her more pain. 

I still had no idea why.  Leila was leaving me. I did my part as a good husband, a good father. Was I not good enough? With all the questions in my head it abruptly stopped when Leila sign her section on the paper.  

“‘Alright, we’re all set,’ the lawyer said, sliding the papers forward, her voice detached. Leila’s hand moved smoothly, no hesitation as she signed. Watching her, I felt a rush of confusion. How had she already made peace with this decision, while I felt only just beginning to understand it. I controlled my tears and quickly signed the paper. The lawyer, Violet sent us our away saying that she would file the papers at the respective department. 

At the entrance of the building, I saw Albert Leila's brother waiting for her. Leila turned to me and offered her hand.  Hesitantly I took her hand, never realizing how rough her hands was. I remembered how soft they felt when I took her hand the altar. Oh how different they feel after 15 years of marriage. " Well Raymond, I wish you luck. I know you will be alright. Take care," she said while shaking it

" You too Leila," I said while swallowing my sorrow. Her heels clicked away, each step was bidding me farewell. I could feel Albert staring hole into my face from afar. This is it. What just went wrong. 

A year when by, my parent still nagged me to get married to another woman. With a little persuading i managed to push aside the meeting of another marriage candidate. The only thing I look forward is to meet my kids. 

During the day of my visitation period, I stopped at Albert's farm to fetch the kids. The farm was 2 hours away from the city but it was all worth while if it if means he gets to meet his children.

Summer and Desmond got into his car and they drove off to a nearby ice cream parlor. Summer bounced as she ordered her strawberry sundae, her eyes bright and expectant. Meanwhile, Desmond’s quiet voice barely reached above a whisper as he ordered a plain vanilla, his eyes fixed on the menu like he didn’t really want to look at me. I asked them how was your day and getting updates on their life.

I watched them both, a faint smile playing on his lips. For a moment, I felt like myself again. But my  smile faltered as I remembered—after this, they’d go back to Leila’s, a place I will never set foot in. A place where I no longer welcome.

Desmond answered nonchalantly while Summer answered enthusiastically. Desmond was a quiet and polite. Even though as teenager he just didn’t show any rebellious phase, I had a very hard time to bond with my son.

While Summer was was outgoing and always had a spark in her. “ So dad are you coming to mom’s wedding,” she asked with zero malice.

Desmond eyes widened and my jaw dropped.

“ Your mom is getting married, “ the words slipped out, hollow and strained, and he felt a strange ringing in his ears, like his body was trying to block out the sound.