A decision to leave

On a fateful day, Mommy and Daddy called me to the living room. I remember walking in and seeing the concern etched on their faces. They asked me to sit down, and I knew something was wrong.

"Kate, we need to talk to you about something," Mommy said, her voice trembling.

I looked at them, my heart racing. What could it be? Had I done something wrong?

"Kate, we've been thinking a lot about what happened with Uncle Peter," Daddy said, his eyes filled with sadness. "And we've decided that it's best if you go live with your Aunt Clara for a while." Aunt Clara is daddy's youngest sister that lives in Jos 

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. Leave home? Live with Aunt Clara? I didn't want to go anywhere. I wanted to stay with Mommy and Daddy.

"Why?" I asked, my voice shaking. "I don't want to leave. I want to stay here with you guys."

Mommy and Daddy looked at each other, and I could see the tears welling up in their eyes.

"We know it's hard," Mommy said. "But we think it's for the best. You'll be safer with Aunt Clara, and you'll have a fresh start."

I didn't want a fresh start. I wanted my old life back. I wanted to go back to the way things were before Uncle Peter came into our lives.

"I don't understand why I have to leave," I said, my voice shaking with anger and sadness. "Why can't I just stay here with you guys?"

Mommy and Daddy looked at each other, and I could see the guilt written all over their faces.

"Kate, we're sorry," Mommy said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We should have talked to you more about what happened. We should have been more supportive."

"You haven't even spoken to me since it happened," I said, my voice cracking with emotion. "You've just been avoiding me, like I'm the one who did something wrong."

Daddy looked down at his feet, shamefaced. "We were wrong to do that, Kate. We were just trying to process everything ourselves, but we shouldn't have shut you out."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at my parents. I had felt so alone since the incident, like I was the only one who was struggling to cope.

"But you didn't." "Why are you sending me away now?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Is it because you don't want to deal with me anymore?" Are you ashamed of me now?"

Mommy and Daddy exchanged a glance, I had never questioned my parent's 

decisions before. At least not to their faces. But I felt a strange boldness come over me. "Are you sending me away because of how I was abused by uncle Peter? Kate, stop it!" Mommy glanced at Eniola's curious face and then back to mine. "What is wrong with you.>" Her hands fiddled with he blouse?" "You should be happy you are going to live with your Aunt. You not being here will teach your sister independence. She needs to be able to take care of herself."

I heard what she left unsaid: I had failed Eniola as a big sister. I held Mummy's gaze.

She averted her eyes. "Things are different now ..." Her voice trailed off. "This is for the best."

"That's enough mommy Eniola, my father who had been awfully quiet said. "Kate, we love you more than anything," he said. "We're sending you away because we want to protect you. We want to give you a chance to heal and start over in a new place." 

I looked at my parents, searching for answers. I wanted to believe them, but a part of me was still hurt and angry.

This is not love if you're sending me away, is it?" I asked, feeling a sense of desperation creeping in.

Mommy and Daddy looked at each other, and then Daddy shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Kate. We've already made the arrangements. You'll be leaving tomorrow morning."

Here is the scene:

The night before I left, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as tears streamed down my face. I couldn't believe I was leaving tomorrow. I couldn't believe I was leaving Mommy, Daddy, and Eniola behind.

Just as I was starting to drift off to sleep, I heard a faint knock on the door. I turned over to see Eniola standing in the doorway, her eyes red-rimmed from crying.

"Eni?"I whispered, sitting up in bed.

Eniola ran to me, throwing her arms around me and bursting into tears. I held her tightly, feeling my own tears fall as we hugged each other.

"Don't go, Kate," Eniola sobbed. "Please don't leave me."

I stroked her hair, trying to comfort her. "I have to go, Sis" I whispered. "But I'll come back to visit, I promise."

Eniola pulled back, her eyes streaming with tears. "But what if you don't?" she asked, her voice trembling. "What if you forget about me?"

I took her hands in mine, looking into her eyes. "I could never forget about you, Eni."I said. "You're my sister, my best friend. I'll always be here for you, no matter where I am."

Eniola nodded, sniffling. We hugged each other tightly again, both of us crying.

As we held each other, I felt a sense of comfort wash over me. I knew that no matter where I went, Eniola would always be with me in spirit.

Eventually, Eniola pulled back, wiping her tears with her sleeve. "I'm going to miss you so much," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I smiled, feeling a lump form in my throat. "I'll miss you too," I said. "But we'll stay in touch, okay?"

Eniola nodded, smiling slightly. Can I sleep in your room to tonight? She asked. Sure, I said scooting over so there would be enough space for her. We hugged each tightly before Eniola drifted off to sleep, leaving me to my thoughts.

As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I felt a sense of sadness wash over me. I was leaving behind everything I knew and loved. But I also knew that I had to do this. I had to start over, to heal and move on.

I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of determination rise up inside me. I would get through this. I would start anew and make a better life for myself.

As I drifted off to sleep, I felt a sense of hope that I hadn't felt in a long time. Tomorrow was a new beginning. Tomorrow was a chance to start over.