Debra sat in her mother's kitchen drinking coffee. The kids were spending the day with her father and he had just picked them up for breakfast.
Lois walked in and poured herself a cup of coffee, "Good morning sweetheart." she said.
Debra sat lost in thought not hearing what her mother said.
Lois walked over to the table and sat down, "Debra? Are you alright?"
Debra turned to face her mother, managing a weak smile, "Yeah I'm fine Mom."
Lois knew her daughter too well. This trip had been last minute and she had been distracted since she arrived the day before.
"Debra, I know something is wrong. Talk to me, honey." Lois said taking Debra's hand in hers.
Debra faced her mother barely able to stop the tears, "Oh Mom, Ray and I had a huge fight and I left with the kids."
"Well Honey, couples fight. You just needed to cool off. How bad could it be?" She asked.
Debra wiped her eyes, "Well, you'll probably think I'm nuts but we had a fight about sex."
Lois laughed a little, "Well, all couples fight about that. There has to be more to it than that."
"Well, what happened was sort of the last straw with him. Marie and I had a fight and that night we really heated it up in the bedroom because I was so angry. Well, Marie had come by the next day to apologize and Ray lied and said I was sick so she wouldn't talk to me all so he could have more 'angry sex'. I have had it with his lies and manipulation. It's always about what he wants. I told him it was over." The words just sort of tumbled out so fast she couldn't stop them.
"What do you mean over?" Lois asked.
"I told him we were over. That I couldn't take it anymore. The lies, the childishness, his inability to accept responsibility. I want a husband Mom, not another child to take care of."
"Honey, do you really want to leave him? I'm not defending what he did--" Lois started but Debra cut her off.
"Mom! How can you say that? You are hardly one to talk about this."
"Now Debra, your father and I tried for a long time before we split up. You were telling me then about putting effort into it." She reminded her daughter.
Debra sighed audibly, "Well, I need time to think. I don't want to go back and just fight with him again. Whatever does happen yelling doesn't help."
"Alright then. Is there anything you would like to today since the children are with your father?"
"No, not today," Debra replied, taking her mother's hand as Lois turned to go upstairs, "Thanks, Mom."
Lois smiled and kissed her daughter on the cheek before leaving. Debra sat wondering what on earth she would do. God, I think you're the only one who can help me. Please tell me what to do.