In the morning, Elodie decided to read one page from her father's journal before getting ready for school.
It's Friday. I was supposed to pick up my kids from school. Addison's been calling me every day since the custody verdict. Probably because I haven't been to work all week.
When I stumbled home from Joe's bar, there was a note taped to my door. It was from Addison. I guess she stopped by while I was at the bar. That's where I was instead of picking up my kids from school. I was drinking. How pathetic is that? How pathetic am I?
I made a promise to my kids. I promised Elodie that I would be there for her from now on. And I couldn't even keep it. I am not a man of my word.
Every day instead of going to work, I go to Joe's bar to drink.
I am a coward. I can't even face my coworkers. I should just end my pain now. Save myself and save my family of the years of misery that will come if I prolong my miserable life. They will all be better off if I'm dead.
A tear rolled down Elodie's cheek, spilling onto the page. It hurt to read her father's words. To read about how far he had fallen into despair.
"Time for school, kiddo." Addison said as she poked her head into the room.
Elodie kept her head down to wipe her tears, "Yeah. I know. I'm ready, Mom."
Sensing that something was wrong, Addison stepped into the room. Walking over to her daughter, and sitting down beside her.
"Everything alright, El? Whatcha got there?"
"Nothing. I'm fine." Elodie replied
She quickly slammed the journal shut before throwing it in her backpack, rushing out of her room, down the stairs, and then out the front door.
Addison remained seated on Elodie's bed as she let out a sigh. She took a few moments before standing and heading down the stairs. Since Meredith had been paged a few hours ago, it was up to Addison to drive the kids to school.
"Mommy!" Christopher yelled as Addison came into the living room, "What's wrong with Ellie?"
"I don't know, baby."
Quinten glared at Finlee. She had told him about finding their dad's journal in Elodie's dresser drawer.
Finlee turned away from her brother's stare as she cleared her throat, "Um…I might know."
"Okay. Why?" Addison questioned
"Well, she found Daddy's diary."
Addison let out a breath, "Oh…my poor baby."
"I might have found it and read a page." Finlee admitted, "I'm sorry, Mommy."
"Hey, it's okay." Addison assured as she pulled her daughter into a hug, "That book was never meany for you or your siblings to read."
Meanwhile with Elodie, after she arrived at school. One of her best friends - and pretty much only friend - rushed over to her.
"Hey bestie." She cheered, joyously
Elodie stuffed her backpack in her locker, before grabbing her AP chem book.
"I'm not in the mood, Adelaide."
"Okay. What's wrong? You've been moody all week."
Elodie sighed, "Yeah. I'm sorry. Just some old memories resurfacing."
Adelaide gave a nod, "About your dad, huh?"
"Yeah. I found his diary. He wrote about his feelings in the months leading up to his death. The first entry was from when my mom told him she wanted a divorce."
"Oh…El, I'm so sorry."
Elodie waved it off, slamming her locker closed, "I gotta get to class."
She rushed away from Adelaide, heading in the direction of the science labs and classrooms.
Science was usually Elodie's favorite subject, but today she couldn't focus. All she could think about was what she read in her father's diary this morning.
The day seemed to drag on as she was in a haze, sitting in her classrooms today. After lunch, she had English, and the teacher gave them an interesting in class assignment.
"I want you all to write a little piece about your father. About who he is, what he's like, and what you love about him." The English teacher told her students
The usual English teacher was out sick so they had a sub.
All the students turned to look at Elodie, who let out a sigh as she slunk down in her seat.
A student in the front of the class, raised their hand, "Um…Miss, Elodie's dad is dead."
At that moment, Elodie grabbed her backpack and ran out the door, thinking 'could this day get any worse?'.
It could and would in fact get worse. As Elodie was getting in her car to drive away from school, planning to ditch the rest of the day, she heard a little voice from the back of her car.
"Hello?" She called, turning around
A little one popped up from the backseat, "Oh…hi Ellie."
"Christopher Hayden, what are you doing in my car?!" Elodie half-scolded
His eyes were full of tears. He blinked them a few times, sticking out his bottom lip in a pout.
Elodie let out a sigh, "Moms are gonna kill you. And then they are gonna kill me."
"I'm sorry, sissy." Christopher apologised
"I know, bubs, but why aren't you at school?"
Christopher took a deep breath as he wiped his eyes, "Why did Daddy kill himself? Didn't he love me?"
"Oh…Chris, Daddy loved you so much, but he was really sad. It was partially my fault though. He made a mistake and when he tried to make up for it, I pushed him away." Elodie explained, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Christopher climbed up into the passenger seat, taking his big sister's hand, "It's okay, sissy. I forgive you."
"Alright. Now let's get you to school."
Hope you enjoy. Comments are greatly appreciated.
What would you like to see happen next?