Diana Rios

Period 3

Our Journey

Ever since I was a child, I remember feeling a lack of love and affection. When my little sister, Brissa, was born I noticed a drastic change. My parents pampered that baby as if she were the queen of England, which she wasn't! I must admit I became very jealous, I would wonder at nights what it was that I had done to deserve no attention from my parents. I would wonder if maybe my parents used to pamper me like they did to Brissa. As the years went on things changed, the parents that I had and lacked love and attention from were now the same parents Brissa had. They both no longer showed either of us love and affection. I didn't want the lack of love and affection to affect my little sister like it effected me. I tried all I could to provide her with what my parents no longer did. I hated my parents, I suppose all their mistreatment and simply the fact that they didn't seem to care much about me really hurt and made me become more distant. Although a lot of things were wrong, things changed when I turned 17. I was finally able to see so many things that I couldn't when I was younger. I mean my parents still weren't the best and I still don't forgive them for how bad they made my childhood, but I do want to say that I see things differently and possibly get a chance to understand when I'm older. My parents didn't provide my sister and me with love and affection because my parents lacked those same things in their marriage. They told me that they tried, but they no longer felt what they did at one point. They said that after Brissa they realized that it was best for them to create new lives separately. I can remember exactly what happened that day as if it were yesterday. It was the day before Brissas's 15th Birthday. I knew mom and dad didn't care, but I decided to include them. We sat down at the kitchen table and started planning a small family and friends get together party for Brissa. My parents started arguing, so I asked if I could be excused and they said no. I sat there staring at them and I somehow built up enough courage to ask

"Are you two happy together?" The looked at each other and replied,

"Of course sweetheart."

Their tone was so transparent even they knew it. They looked at each other and somehow through their eyes made a connection, something I had never seen before. They both looked back at me and said,

"We love you Brissa" of course I had to follow up by saying,

"But.." My mom didn't look very happy. 

"There is not buts, we love you and Brissa very much and we always will, it's just that things aren't what they used to be" she said.

"Baby it's nothing to worry about it's grown up problems" my father said.

"I'm not eight anymore" I remarked.

"She's right Harry, I think it's time she knows" my mom said.

She was saying those words to my father, but was looking at me. Her words felt like a knife to my chest. I knew what was coming, I mean I had my suspicions and all, but just because I thought about it did't mean I wanted it to be true. I saw her take a deep breath as I held mine.

"Sweetie, I don't know how to say this, so I'm just going to say it. Your father and I are getting a divorce," she said. 

I could feel my eyes watering, but I told myself that I had to be strong. I exhaled the breath I'd been holding in and I said,

"Okay," and I went to my room.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Brissa, happy birthday to you" we sang.

Mom was holding a small cupcake, dad had the camera. I was holding some balloons. Thinking back to the  few years I can think back to, this has to be by far the only time I felt like my sister and I were actually a part of a family. I decided to tell Brissa about mom and dad after her birthday party, I didn't want to ruin her day. Brissa's friends soon arrived and our grandparents arrived as well. Aunt Lisa and uncle Frank did too. Her party consisted of only a few things, she didn't want much just a birthday cake. I got her a bracelet with only two charms, which represented herself and me. Her eyes watered and she thanked me. 

"I'll always be here" I told her.

Brissa's friends left around 7:30 and our family left a few minutes later. Brissa looked tired and so was I, so I  decided to just tell her the news the next day. I remember waking up the next day and waking her up. I didn't want to sugar coat anything to her. If I wanted her to trust me I had to be honest. When I finished she cried a river, and so did I. We lay on her bed for the rest of the day. I held her hand and shook  it, so we could hear her charms. She looked at up at me and we both smiled. 

"Just you and me" we said.