"You can't do this! You're not thinking any of this through!" I exclaim at Mom my eyes wide in disbelief. I feel my pulse in my throat and my breathing is heavy. "Aria!" Mom yells back, bending down to grab her black leather purse as we argue at the front door. "Your father is acting like a lunatic! He's feeding you and Charlie delusions. Why are you defending him!" She huffs. Securing her bag closed, she opens the front door gesturing for Neal, Charlie, and I to go out the door.
Neal awkwardly clears his throat before stepping out of his hiding place at the end of the hallway with Charlie close behind. I stiffly stand my ground not breaking eye contact with Mom. I feel Neal brush past me and see Charlie run out of the house ahead of him to the car. Neal stops in the doorway and turns to face Mom and me still glaring at each other.
"You know we are only doing what your mother and I think is best for Charlie and you." he points out. Mom and I break eye contact and whip our heads to the side to face him "Stay out of this Neal!" Mom and I exclaim. His eyes go wide in response and quickly turns around running to the car with Charlie.
Mom brings her hands to her face and rubs it letting out a sigh. "Let's go Aria, we are going to be late for the judge." She moves out of the doorway and gestures to me with her hand to leave. I huff and walk past her out the front door, purposely bumping my shoulder with hers.
Speed walking to the car I hear the front door close behind me and the sound of Mom walking down the stairs. I open the back seat door and slide in next to Charlie. He looks up at me with anxiety clear on his face. Reaching over to me he grabs onto my right hand in comfort. I quickly wrap my hand around his and rub it in an attempt to comfort him. He looks down at our hands silently only looking up when Mom gets into the car.
He turns back to me and lifts his hand, gesturing for me to lean down to his level. "Don't worry Aria, the judge will believe us" he whispers in my ear. I frown at this "You have to be careful what you say to him Charlie, okay? This is really important." I reply, grabbing onto as much hope as possible.
"But why would I lie, it's a judge?" He questions innocently. "Sometimes it's the right thing to do, no matter how wrong it feels. We have to keep Dad safe okay?" I try to convince him but only getting a nod in response.
Neal starts the car, filling the dead silence. I lean back further into my seat brushing my loose hair back into my ponytail and pull my black skirt into place. Today has been filled with fighting between Mom and me. She's so furious that I'm not on her side about this. He's my Dad of course I'm not going to support being taken away from him. Not to mention the fact he's freaking Santa Claus.
I reach my hand into my honey pea coat and play with the bell in comfort. I smile at the thought of the constant sound driving Bernard mad right now. When I woke up the morning after he visited, he was gone. We ended up getting through two Star Wars movies before I fell asleep. I have never seen anyone so confused watching something. I had to explain almost everything to him. It was adorable.
I haven't seen him since then, I don't doubt that the factory is busier than ever. Christmas is only weeks away. One thing I know is if I need him he'll come, I'm sure of it. Realizing I'm smiling like a maniac out the window I quickly wipe it off my face, catching Mom's questioning eye from the front seat.
My leg bounces nervously as I wait for Charlie to come out of the office. Mom and Neal sit diagonally from me on a couch, quietly talking to each other. Charlie has been in the judge's office for five minutes now. I feel like I'm going to be sick. I'm so nervous. I just hope Charlie listened to Dad and me to keep the whole Santa thing a secret but I doubt it. I had to talk to the judge before Charlie. Lied through my teeth, of course. I just hope it will be enough to convince him.
I hear fast approaching footsteps and lift my head to see Dad. Of course, he has to wear red and green, I internally groan at this. He glances at me sadly before speaking to Mom and Neal "Where's Charlie? I want to talk to him." he demands. I stand up from the couch and walk over to Dad wrapping my arms around him. "He's with the judge. I already talked to him." I mumble into his chest.
Unwrapping my arms from Dad I step back and look at Mom and Neal now standing behind me with disdain. They only ignore my look and continue looking at Dad. The door to the judge's office suddenly whipped open and revealed the judge and Charlie.
Running full speed to Dad, Charlie wraps his arms around him quickly "It's all okay. I told the judge everything about you and the North Pole." I overhear him whisper to Dad. My heart instantly grows heavy.
Slowly stumbling back I fall back onto the couch and put my head in my hands. Silence fills the room as the judge walks back into his office to make his final decision. I feel the seat next to me sink and turn my head to the right to see Dad look at me sadly. "It's over, isn't it?" I ask him. He only brings his eyes down to his lap in response. All hope is gone.
Dad leans against the window and I stand next to him awaiting the judge's next words in his office. Mom, Neal, and Charlie are all sitting on the couch next to us. "After reviewing all of your testimonies, I've come to a very difficult decision. I'm sorry to do this in light of the holiday season, but in the best interest of the children, I'm granting the petition of Dr. and Mrs. Miller. Mr. Calvin, as of today, all of your visitation rights are suspended pending a hearing after the first of the year." The judge informs us. My eyes fill with tears.
I turn to Dad quickly and throw my arms around him "Dad no, please! They can't do this!" I cry into his chest "You're my best friend. I can't do this without you." He places a kiss on my head and rubs my back in comfort. "I'm so sorry Aria, I never meant for this to happen." He speaks with his own voice cracking.
I feel Mom grab my hand and pull me away from him. "It's time to go Aria." Mom speaks softly looking down at me. For a second I almost see regret in her eyes. I pull my hand from hers "This is all your fault! You know how much I need Dad! I will never forgive you for this. When Charlie has to grow up without a father that'll be all on you! I'm done." I whip around without giving anyone a glance and storm out of the office and march down the hallway.
"Aria!" Mom gasps from behind me. "Laura, she just needs time." I hear Neal says in response.
"Stupid judge." I throw my bag angrily onto my bed. We just got home. That was the most awkward car ride of my life. Charlie was clearly upset the whole way home. Not a single word was spoken. I'm more upset over the fact Mom took Charlie away from Dad than over me.
Taking off my pea coat I throw it on my bed and jump on it. As soon as I land a loud snap echoes through my room. I shoot up, quickly searching through my pockets to find the cause of the sound. My heart sinks as I feel broken metal. Slowly pulling my hand out I look down. The bell now lays in my hand, broken. I softly shake it hoping it'll produce some sound. But there is none.
"This day can not get worse." I feel myself get choked up again. I was hoping Bernard would be here to talk to. Now I'm stuck here, alone. Curling up on my bed, I close my eyes and hold the bell close to my chest.
I hear a knock at my door, making me slightly jump. I don't move to answer it. "Aria? I-uh don't expect you to open the door. I just wanted to say that your Mom and I really wanted to do the right thing. I know you don't understand now but maybe one day you will. I'm always here to talk okay? I'm really trying here" I hear Neal step away from the door after a few seconds of silence and the sound of soft footsteps going down the stairs shortly followed.
I let out the breath I'd been holding from trying to keep quiet. Maybe if I sleep this off everything will be okay when I wake up. I know I'm lying to myself though. Deep down I hope when I wake up Bernard will be there standing next to me giving comfort.
But not all wishes are granted.