It was the middle of December, classes had just ended, and I was ready to go home for the holidays. I was originally going to wait a week until I came back but I decided to give a little surprise to my parents.

The wind was blowing as I reached the front door. No lights, so I quickly brought my suitcase in and set it down.

“Hello?”

No answer.

“Mom? Dad?”

Nothing.

I walked into the kitchen. Dirty dishes at the sink, mail and paper on the counter. Then I saw an open file on the table.

Divorce Papers.

Why were the divorce papers there? And who do they belong to? Surely not my parents? They loved each other. At least it looked like they did when I was there.

How could they have not told me sooner? What was I going to do? They have been together for nearly 20 years! What changed? Did I have something to do with it? Did I cause them to riffed?

Tears fell from my eyes.