Someday you'll realize the damage that you've caused -- December 2009

My sister had just turned nine and I had just turned eight... and our parents were separating us.  It had been a long year of fighting and they were done. I went to my sister's room and found her in her bed, pressing her hands over her ears.  Our parents were fighting again.  I got in beside her and she rolled over to look at me.  "I don't want you to go," I said, wishing that they would keep us together.  Dad had won custody of Daphne... but I did not know why.  He was the one leaving.  He was the one causing the fighting and the hate in the house.  I did not want my big sister to go into a place where that was the only thing she would be surrounded by.

I put my arms around Davy and hugged him.  "I don't want to, either," I said.  Dad scared me sometimes - especially when he drank.  He would yell and hit mum... what would happen if he did not have her anymore? Davy did not know that part.  Mum never said anything when we went to court.  And I would not say anything now.  It was just something no one talked about.  Thank Merlin that Davy was never awake to hear it happen or to see it.  But I would help Mum get to bed and help Dad after he passed out.  It was just what was expected of me while Davy slept.  "You'll be alright, though, Davy.  We'll still see each other and talk with each other."

I sighed and looked at Daphne.  How could she say that?  "Just when we go to school, though.  You know Mum and Dad won't let us see each other," I said to her sadly.  I loved my sister.  I did not want her to leave.

I looked at Davy and could see his doubt.  I bit my lip. "Listen to me, Davy," I said to him just loud enough for him to hear me.  "I promise you that we'll see each other more than just at school.  I just don't know how often... it all depends..."  It all depended on how Dad was.  I would most likely have to sneak out to be able to come see Davy and Mum.

I was glad that I had Daphne; she always knew what to say to make me feel a little better.  "I know," I said to her, whispering softly even though Mum and Dad were shouting so loudly I did not really have to lower my voice anymore.  "Dad won't let you come over.  I know Dad..." I sighed.

I hugged him tightly, trying to comfort my little brother.  "Well, there's no reason to worry about it yet," I said to davy.  "He's not going to keep me from seeing my brother."  I had to find a way to protect my little brother from the truth of the matter as much as I could.

I smiled, even fi I did not fully believe Daphne.  "You mean you like me enough to come visit?  You call me a pain all the time," I pointed out to her.  I wanted to tease her to try to make her feel better because she was trying so hard for me.

I looked at him and shook my head.  "You're ridiculous to think that I would not want to come," I assured him.  "Even if you are a pain in my butt sometimes..."

I smirked slightly.  "You'll think it's really quiet without me around to bug you all the time," I pointed out to her.  I hated that I had to point out that aspect, but still.  I knew I was going to miss her bull-headed-ness.

I could not help but laugh at my brother and roll my eyes.  "Who knows?  Maybe I'll enjoy the quiet.  You are rather bothersome at times," I said to him, turning things into a joke just for my brother.  I had to make him feel better; it was my job... alongside driving him mental.

I rolled my eyes at her.  "Oh, shut it," I said, sighing.  "At least they're running out of things to say to each other..."  Our parents were starting to get quieter.  "Or they've lost their voice."

I sighed.  What Davy did not know was that once they lost their voices or found nothing else to shout at each other, Dad would resort to hitting Mum or something.  Hopefully he would just storm out tonight like he has done on occasion.  "Perhaps we should take this opportunity to try to sleep," I suggested, wnating to protect Davy from hearing or seeing our father's abuse.

I looked at Daphne and shrugged.  "I don't know if I'll be able to," I said to her truthfully.  I did not want to be alone... I knew that things could turn dark with the way our parents were... but it was only because of the shouting.

I could see the doubt and fear in my brother's eyes. I bit mylip and sighed.  "We can just stay with each other, though," I said to him, putting my arm around him.

I smiled and let my sister hug me.  We were always really close... this divorce was going to be horrible.  "Thanks," I said to her quietly.