10 January 2000
“Mum, where’s daddy? We haven’t seen him in over a month. Is he coming home?” I asked, genuinely confused why my dad hadn’t been home in so long. It’s not uncommon for him to be away for the weekend but this time, I hadn’t seen him in over a month.
“Sweetie, I have something to tell you. Can you gather your brother and come back for a chat please?” Mum asked, with unshed tears in her eyes. “K mum”, I replied.
“Dino!!!! Come here now!!” I yelled. Typical, he was in his room, playing video games. “WHAT?” I heard him yell back. “Mum wants us”, I explained as I stormed into his room.
My brother was only 18 months younger than me but he had always acted like the older child. An absent father tends to make a son take on his role as the protective man of the house, unwillingly. Or at least that’s what happened in our household. I was only 13 and him 12.
We got into the lounge room and mum sat us down. “Sorry kids, your dad and I are separating. I’ve spoken to my sister overseas and we’re moving to Canada next month. All the arrangements have been made. I have family there, my brother and other sisters are also there. Plus my parents, your grandparents can help me look after you two.” She explained.
The news was shocking to me. I started crying and my brother got angry.
“Good riddens!” he spits. Mum finally starts crying.
I give her a cuddle, “it’s okay mum, we’ll get through this like we get through everything else, together”.
