THE OTHER SIDE OF FOREVER
(Chapter 11)
Lucy took a deep breath and walked back into the hospital room, her heart racing with determination. Kelvin looked up, hope in his eyes.
“Lucy, I’m so sorry… I know I’ve been distant and neglectful, but I love you and Wills. Please, let’s work through this.”
Lucy’s expression was resolute. “I’m sorry, Kelvin. But it’s too late for apologies. I want a divorce.”
Kelvin’s face fell. “What? No, Lucy, please don’t say that. We can get through this. I’ve been trying to be a better husband and father.”
Lucy shook her head. “I appreciate that, but it’s too little, too late. I feel like I’ve been shouldering the responsibilities of this family alone for too long.”
Kelvin stood up, his eyes pleading. “But what about Wills? He needs us, together. We can’t just give up on our family.”
Lucy’s voice was firm. “I’m not giving up on Wills, but I am giving up on us. We’ve grown apart, Kelvin. We want different things from life.”
Kelvin’s face twisted in anguish. “I don’t want to lose you, Lucy. I love you.”
Lucy’s eyes filled with tears. “I loved you too, once. But now, I just feel suffocated in this marriage. I need out.”
The room fell silent, the only sound Wills’ steady beeping in the background.
Finally, Kelvin spoke up. “What about Wills’ treatment? We can’t just leave him…”
Lucy nodded. “I’ll stay until Wills is better. But then, I’m leaving. And I’m filing for divorce. I think it’s best if we go our separate ways.”
Kelvin nodded slowly, resignation etched on his face. “Okay. I understand. But can we at least try counseling? For Wills’ sake?”
Lucy hesitated, then shook her head. “I don’t think so, Kelvin. I’ve made up my mind.”
*******************
The silence between Lucy and Kelvin was deafening, a heavy weight that hung in the air. Two days passed, and Wills’ condition only worsened.
One morning, as Lucy sat beside his bed, Wills looked up at her with weak eyes.
“Mommy, I heard what you said to Daddy,” he whispered.
Lucy’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean, sweetie?”
Wills’ voice was barely audible. “You said you want to go your separate ways… and something about divorce.”
Lucy’s eyes welled up with tears. “Oh, Wills, I’m so sorry you had to hear that.”
Wills looked confused. “What’s divorce, Mommy?”
Lucy took a deep breath, trying to explain. “Divorce is when two people who are married decide they can’t live together anymore and go their separate ways.”
Wills’ eyes widened. “Like a timeout?”
Lucy smiled sadly. “Kind of, but it’s more permanent. It means Daddy and I won’t be living together anymore.”
Wills looked crestfallen. “But why, Mommy? I don’t want you and Daddy to be apart.”
Lucy’s heart broke. “I know, sweetie, but sometimes grown-ups can’t work things out, no matter how hard they try.”
Wills thought for a moment. “Is it because of me? Because I got sick?”
Lucy’s voice was firm. “No, Wills, it has nothing to do with you. You’re a wonderful son, and we both love you very much.”
Wills looked up at her, his eyes searching. “But can’t you and Daddy just forgive each other and stay together?”
Lucy’s eyes filled with tears. “I wish it were that simple, sweetie. But sometimes, even when we love each other, we can’t make it work.”
*******************
Wills’ eyes welled up with tears, and he started sobbing, his weak body shaking with each cry. Kelvin walked into the room, saw his son in tears, and rushed to his side.
“Wills, buddy, what’s wrong?” Kelvin asked, concern etched on his face.
Wills looked up at his dad, tears streaming down his face. “I don’t want you and Mommy to be apart, Daddy. Please don’t leave each other.”
Kelvin’s eyes met Lucy’s, pleading for her to reconsider. “Lucy, can’t we try to work things out for Wills’ sake?”
Lucy shook her head, her expression resolute. “No, Kelvin. I’ve made up my mind. We can’t keep pretending everything is fine when it’s not.”
Wills’ sobs grew louder, his body trembling. “Please, Mommy, Daddy, don’t do this. I’ll be good, I promise.”
Kelvin’s voice cracked with emotion. “Lucy, see what we’re doing to our son? Can’t we put our differences aside for his sake?”
Lucy’s voice was firm. “We’re not doing this to Wills, Kelvin. We’re doing it because our marriage is broken, and it’s time to move on.”
Wills’ cries turned to wails, his small body shaking with each sob. “No, no, no! Please don’t leave each other! I want us to be a family!”
Kelvin tried to comfort Wills, holding him close. “Shh, buddy, it’s okay. We’ll always be your family, no matter what.”
But Lucy just stood there, her heart heavy with sorrow, knowing she couldn’t turn back now.
To be continued…
