Let's Get A Divorce

“Blair, I didn’t mean…”

“Don’t you dare talk about my son like that!” I cut her off, my voice rising. “You don’t know anything about what we went through, so shut your fucking mouth!”

Kyle stepped in and positioned Aria protectively behind him. “Blair, that’s enough. She’s your sister, for Pete’s sake!”

I glared at them. How shameless!

“Who cares if she’s my sister? She better watch her mouth!”

Aria, looking hurt, pleaded, “It’s fine, Kyle. If Blair won’t admit that Andy is faking his illness, I’ll just drop it.”

I frowned and looked at Kyle. “You think Andy is faking it too?”

Kyle didn’t say a word, but his silence spoke volumes.

Damn. What a nice father this man was!

Kyle looked around, but Andy was nowhere to be seen. “So, where’d you take him this time?”

Clearly, he didn’t believe me. If only he’d come home, he’d see our table covered in medications and medical records. But well, he never did.

I remember when Andy knew he didn’t have much time left. I expected him to cry, but he didn’t. Instead, he said he wanted one last family trip to Disneyland.

I wanted to grant it, of course.

So, I begged Kyle and knelt before him. When he refused, I clung to his pants, promising that it would be the last time I’d ever bother him.

One last request, and I’d set him free.

He was happy then. He didn’t say much, but his sparkling eyes told me he was happy.

I was miserable, but so what?

Kyle was a kid I found by the river when we were little. He was homeless, so I begged my parents to adopt him.

It never became official, though. The adoption papers didn’t push through, so we weren’t legally siblings.

When I was in junior high, my parents split up, and Aria went to live with my dad. I always stuck close to Kyle, so I begged him to come with me and my mom.

Little did I know, that made Kyle resent me for years. Turns out he wanted to go with Aria.

Later, my mom made Kyle promise to take care of me, saying it would give her peace of mind. Maybe he didn’t have a choice, so he married me in a quick, no-frills wedding—no family, no friends, no certificate.

He said that was all I deserved.

“Don’t ask as if Andy is just a thing to drag around. He’s your son, Kyle. Can’t you sound a little concerned?”

“Why not? He’s not my responsibility,” Kyle said coldly. “I never wanted any of this.”

Hearing that made me mad.

How heartless could he be?

“You think you’re the only one suffering? Andy didn’t ask to be born into this mess, jerk! He’s a child. Your child! And he deserves better.”

“Aria and I... belong together, Blair. You and Andy are just... complications.”

“Complications?” My voice broke.