To my Blue-Jay:
You looked so peaceful I didn’t have the heart to wake you. If I’m being completely honest, writing was the only way I stood a chance of getting through this without crying. Wish we could all be tough girls like you…
Since I know how much you hate when I get all worked up, I’ll make this quick.
I’m taking off for a bit, sweetheart. You, Scarlett, and Hunter are my world, so I won’t be gone long. Two weeks tops. You’ll barely have time to miss me. Promise.
Before you even think it, this has absolutely nothing to do with you guys. Me and your dad’s mess is just that.
Our mess.
Thin walls make it hard to keep secrets, so I’m sure you noticed the screaming matches have gotten worse. I think the only way to fix what’s broken between him and me is to give each other space. We’ll never learn to make it work if the only way we communicate is through an argument. Hopefully, some peace and quiet will help me sort through it all. Maybe he’ll put the bottle down and do the same while I’m gone.
Not a day will go by that I won’t be thinking about you three. Hunter’s working on something that might bring some cash into the house, so he might be hard to reach for a while. That’s why I’m counting on you to take care of Scar, but I’m not the least bit worried she won’t be looked after. You’re so good with her. Sometimes, I think you’re a better mother to her than I ever was. God doesn’t make big sisters like you very often, so she looks up to you for good reason.
I’m getting out of here before your father wakes up and raises hell when he realizes my bags are packed. He drank himself to sleep last night, which means he’ll be a bear when he stumbles out of bed in a little while. It’s probably not a bad idea for you girls to stay out of his way if you can.
To keep my head clear, I turned off my phone. Just leave a message and I’ll call when I can.
There’s a twenty on the kitchen table to put a few groceries in the fridge until Hunter comes back with whatever he gets his hands on. No junk food, Blue! I mean it! It’ll come back to haunt you during basketball season.
Miss you kids already. Kiss Scarlett for me. Be home when the dust settles.
