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It isn't unproblematic for any child whose parents are divorced. However, sometimes its more beneficial for the parents if they go separate ways. It may be for reasons that aren't so well intended, such as cheating on your partner.
Then there is how parents treat each other and their children after splitting up. Not all divorces are indeed pleasant. Many times, the kids get caught in the middle of the dispute. Unfortunately, it's often them paying the price. Angela David's parents divorced when she was six. Two years later, her father remarried. Shortly after he'd remarried, her younger sister Vixen was born.
It hadn't escaped Angela's notice that her mother, Dominique Destine, didn't handle the divorce well. So her mother's best friend, Andrea, had to help her process her emotions regarding her ex moving on with his life.
Angela felt bad her mother hadn't found anyone since the divorce. She'd just celebrated her fifteenth birthday. Her wish had been the same since she'd become a sister. She wished with all her heart that her mother could find love again. Dominique was certainly quite rough around the edges. She was extremely guarded with her emotions. However, both her parents had tempers to match.
Today, Angela sat at a high-priced establishment, having lunch with her mother. The custody agreement was she lived half the year with each parent. Thus, she spent weekends with the parents she currently wasn't with. January through June, she lived with her mother. From July to December, she lived with her father. Since it was November, she had lived with her father. Thus, this was her weekend with her mother.
Angela couldn't help but wish her little sister was here. In addition to her mother grappling to find love again? It'd been tough for her to accept her daughter's sister. After weeks of talking to her therapist, plus listening to her best friend's advice? Dominique eventually accepted Vixen without holding a grudge. However, she still didn't care for Angela's stepmother, Elisa.
"Something the matter, darling?" Dominique looked up from the menu. Her sparkling green eyes were gazing into her daughter's own.
"It's nothing, Mother. I'm fine," she lied unsuccessfully. Her mother gave her a look.
"Angela, I asked you not to lie to me. Please tell me what's troubling you. If its something to do with your father, I promise I won't make a scene while we're in public."
"No, it's nothing to do with Father. I'm thinking of my younger sister."
Her mother raised an eyebrow. "Is something the matter with Vixen? Is she unwell?"
"No, she's not ill, Mother. But, unless you count being isolated, she's having difficulty making friends at school. Besides Alex Xanatos and our downstairs neighbor Tabby Grant, she hasn't made any friends."
"Well, socializing can be challenging for everyone. Everyone has some degree of anxiety when it comes to meeting other people. On the other hand, making friends isn't effortless, even if you're incredibly amicable. Breaking the ice and finding commonality is a tricky thing. Count your sister's blessing. She has at least two friends."
"I'm appreciative she's two friends, Mother. However? I nevertheless wish she'd a few more. Unfortunately, she doesn't get to interact with Alex outside of school.
Nor is Tabby available frequently after school. Between her playing soccer, ballet, and book club? Plus, the demanding line of work Tabby's parents have? So it's not that big a surprise she doesn't have much free time," taking a moment to sip her fruit drink.
Wiping her lips, she continued, "Father recently enrolled Vixen in a beginner's level gymnastics class. We hope she makes some friends there. I'm trying to persuade her to try the school book club because she loves reading. However, she still gets anxious quite easily. Thus, it hinders her in making friends."
"Has Vixen ever been evaluated for learning disabilities or mental health issues?" Dominique inquired curiously. Angela shook her head. "It's been recommended several times by the school. However, Elisa seems a bit skeptical of it. Although, I don't understand why."
"Well, like your mother? I'd do it in a heartbeat if I felt you needed to be evaluated. After all, I enrolled you in therapy following the divorce, given I didn't desire your mental health to tank because of it."
"Yes, I'm quite satisfied with my progress with my current therapist. However, I greatly wish Vixen would see one. I believe it could only benefit her."
"It's not my place, Angela. However, I can talk to Elisa over coffee if it makes you feel better. Nothing invasive, simply two mothers talking about their daughters.
Would that help put your mind at ease? Possibly, all Elisa needs is a heart-to-heart with another mother. Then, see a therapist to ease whatever anxiety she has regarding her child."
"I'll have to ask Father first. Yet truthfully? That, indeed, would make me quite pleased. I don't think I'd be performing my responsibilities as her big sister otherwise. Thank you, Mother."
"Anything that makes you happy, my daughter? That is my responsibility to fulfill. True, I'll never genuinely like your stepmother. But I can tolerate her, and I've accepted Vixen after numerous years of struggling.
However, I'll not fail your responsibility to support your precious sister. Therefore, shall we finish lunch? Let's stop somewhere and get Vixen a present. Would that be acceptable?"
"Yes, Mother! It certainly would be!" both mother and daughter smiled. Then, they eat their lunch before leaving to find the perfect gift for Vixen. All in all, a perfect day!