[Continued from Part 1 of the story HERE]

“What?” I asked very surprised “You need to talk to dad?” I emphasized the last word rather loudly. “Yes” she replied. “I’ll go get him” I said and ran up the stairs to dad’s room “Dad, mom is here, and she said she needs to talk to you” I tell him.

“Oh.....” he says, I could tell he was looking for words, “Tell your mother I’m busy” he said at last “I am NOT falling for that one” my mom calls upstairs. My dad looks up as if he hopes an angel of God will come down and rescue him. 

We sit down in the large living room that is filled with our new furniture “Um...Amber, sweetie, I’m sorry, but I’d like to talk to your father privately” says my mother quietly “Amber has as much of a right to be in this room as you, Kate!” flashes my father “It’s Ok, dad, I can leave” I say, hoping my parents won’t fight about it. I walk upstairs and go to my room, which is directly over the living room.

I kneel down on the floor and put my ear to the ground, “No, Kate! I need Amber in my life” I hear dad say “Mark, be sensible, you never spend any time with Amber as it is, I found out from Amber that no matter how many times she tries to talk to you, you push her away or say you are busy” replies my mom sharply “What?!” exclaims dad. “I need more time with Amber, Mark, I am moving up here, my boss said that we need someone to manage Walmart up here, and he gave me the job.” says my mom. I can tell that she is on the verge of tears. “Kate” my dad says quietly “Amber’s room is right above us” then I hear whispering and I can tell there is going to be a long discussion downstairs and they aren’t going to raise their voices again.

* * *

An hour later I hear my parents' feet coming up the stairs. “Amber,” says my father “Your mother is going to fight for you, she wants to spend more than two months a year with you.” My dad looks terrible and like he’s just been shot by his best friend, he looks so sad that I couldn’t even bring myself to look at him. 

* * *

When I woke up this morning I knew what today was, the trial. I had a shower then dried my hair. I think about calling mom to tell her I don’t feel good, and don’t want to go to the trial. No, I can’t do that! I want to be able to spend more time with mom as well. So I went to my closet and pulled out a purple shirt and a sparkly black half-sweater. I chose my favorite pair of jeans and slipped on a pair of black flip-flops. Then I lay back on my bed, ‘Why me?’ I don’t want to have to think about this any more. I go downstairs to get breakfast and then I hear dad’s footsteps coming down the stairs. “Dear,” he says “huh?” I mumble quietly “We have to leave in half an hour” “Ok” I reply.

[Story Concludes In Part 3]