Neela had picked up Jasmine from school and was in the kitchen making dinner. Ray came home at his usual time and they all sat down to eat together. Ray was only interested in Jasmine's day at school. After dinner Neela cleared the table while Ray would get Jasmine ready for bed. They kissed her goodnight and both Neela and Ray retreated back into the living room.

"I spoke to Abby today. She told me tell you Hi."

Ray just nodded his head and didn't even look at Neela.

"Ray, I was thinking about going to Chicago for the weekend."

"Excuse me? What about Jasmine?"

"I wanted to take her with me so she could see the snow."

"Snow that is the reason you are going?

"No, but I thought she would love it. And I think we need some time apart."

"Oh, so that is what you are up to." Ray said in a sarcastic tone.

"What are you talking about?"

"You are using Jasmine as an excuse to runaway again, like you always do. Are you going to go see your boyfriend Gates while you are there? Because if you are I don't want my daughter anywhere near that son of a Bitch."

Neela was in shock by Ray's words, she stood up walk up to him.

SLAP!!!

"What the hell was that for?" said an angry Ray

"You are such a bitter prick Ray I don't know what happened to the man I fell in love with and married but, you are not him. You know I was not sure about going on this trip but now I am quite sure of it. You need to be alone for a while. Because I can not stand to be here with you anymore. I hope when I return My Ray comes back, because if he doesn't I am not going to stick around with this miserable bastard anymore!"

"So now you are threatening me?"

"No Ray it is not a threat it is a Promise!!!"

Neela grabs the phone to make her reservations, and storms out of the room leaving Ray fuming in the living room. Neela returns a little later with pillows and a blanket throws it on the couch.

"You are sleeping here tonight, I don't want someone I don't know sleeping in the same bed with me."

"This is my house and I am not sleeping here."

"Fine, them I will sleep out here."

"Neela, stop being stupid."

"Fuck you Ray."

Ray got up and left the living, without even giving Neela a second glance.

Thursday had come and Neela and Ray still have not directly spoken to each other in two days. That has been the longest they haven't spoken since getting

Together five years ago. Ray looked like a mess he was not sleeping properly and neither was Neela. Jasmine started to notice a change in her parent's behavior, but never said anything.

"Jasmine get your bag sweetie we are going to the airport now. I am going to call the cab."

"Okay mommy, but can daddy take us to the airport mommy." Jasmine yelled from the other room.

Ray heard his daughter wanting him to take them to the airport, so he made an effort to offer them a ride.

"Neela, would you like me to take you to the airport?" Ray said in a soft voice.

At this point Neela's heart was beginning to harden just the way Ray's did these last few months.

"If you want to Ray I really couldn't care less." Neela said with an evil tone.

Ray took a deep breathe to control his anger.

"Neela, Jasmine wants me to take you guys so I'll do it for her!!!"

"Fine Ray whatever."

They left the house for the airport, and Jasmine said her goodbye to her daddy.

"Daddy why can't you come?"

"I have to work baby, (Ray knowing that Neela did not want him with them) but you'll only be gone for a couple of days so I will see you soon. Be a good girl for mommy. And have fun with aunt Abby and Joe okay. I will call you."

"I love you daddy."

"I love you too munchkin."

They shared a kiss and while ray was hugging his little girl, he had this terrible

feeling in his heart he looked up at Neela, and she just turned her face away from him.

"Okay jasmine we have to go"

"Okay, see you soon Daddy."

Neela grabbed Jasmine's hand and walked to the gate without even looking back at Ray.

Ray just stared at them as they boarded their flight. All he could think was is this what our lives have become.