A Daddy for Christmas

A Rack in the Snow

THE twinkling Christmas lights cast a warm glow across the living room as soft carols played in the background as usual. Jasmine, now curled up on the couch with a blanket wrapped around her, seemed distant from the festive cheer. Her gaze lingered on the flickering flames in the fireplace before she exhaled deeply, tossing the blanket aside.

She stood and made her way to her bedroom, her steps slow but deliberate. Once inside, she crossed the room to her closet and pulled open the wooden door. From a hidden corner on the top shelf, she retrieved a large, light brown envelope. Its contents felt heavy, not in weight but in significance.

Jasmine sat down on the edge of her bed, her fingers tracing the edges of the envelope. She hesitated, staring at it as though it were a living, breathing entity. Her mind swirled with memories, some joyous, others painful. The envelope represented an end, yet perhaps, it also held the promise of a new beginning.

With a sigh, she placed the envelope on her dressing table and headed to the bathroom. The warmth of the water as she showered didn’t ease the tension in her chest. It felt as though she were washing away years of expectations, resentment, and longing, preparing herself for what came next.

When she stepped out, her damp hair fell over her shoulders, and she slipped into a pair of soft, red Christmas-themed pajamas. She dried her hair hurriedly, stealing glances at the envelope every few seconds. It sat there like a silent judge, waiting.

The soft creak of the bedroom door startled her. She turned to see Collins stepping inside. His face held a mixture of guilt and innocence, though he tried to mask it with a casual expression.

With just a glance at her and a grunt, he walked over to his side of the bed and began taking off his suit coat.

Without a word from Jasmine either, she picked up the envelope and held it out to him. Her hand trembled slightly, but her gaze was steady.

“What is this?” Collins asked, his brow furrowing as he took the envelope.

“Divorce papers,” Jasmine replied softly, yet her voice carried the weight of her decision.

Collins froze, his fingers hovering over the seal of the envelope. For a moment, the room was silent except for the faint sound of Christmas carols drifting in from the living room.

“Jasmine…” he began, his voice cracking. “Is this really what you want? During Christmas of all times?”

She crossed her arms, her eyes glistening.

“Don’t dare ask me those silly questions Collins. I can’t keep pretending everything is fine. This isn’t about ruining Christmas. It is about finding myself again.”

He looked down at the envelope, then back at her.

“We have a family, Jasmine. We made vows—”

“Vows that you already broke?” She interrupted softly.

His mouth fell ajar as he looked at her, lost for words, then he sighed, running his right hand through his snowy hair.

“But we… can’t we… can’t we try again?” He stammered.

Her heart stiffened at the plea in his voice, he couldn't even first say he was sorry, she shook her head.

“I have been trying, Collins, can't say for you but I have, love isn’t supposed to feel like this, like we are just enduring each other. You know it too.”

Collins sat down on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his hair. The envelope rested heavily in his lap.

“I don’t want to lose you,” he murmured.

She muttered a low laugh, seriously.

“And I don’t want to lose myself either,” she said in a whisper.

The room fell into a pained silence, the Christmas lights outside blinking steadily as if they were mocking the moment. Neither of them noticed the faint sound of tiny feet shuffling toward the door.

“Mommy? Daddy?” a small voice called, breaking the tension.

They turned to see their little girl standing in the doorway, clutching her stuffed reindeer. Her wide, innocent eyes looked from Jasmine to Collins and back.

“Why are you two looking at each other that way?” Karissa asked, her voice quivering.

Jasmine quickly wiped her face, putting on a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Oh, sweetheart, we are okay. Just grown-ups stuff.”

Collins stood and walked over to Karissa, lifting her into his arms.

“It is late, princess. Let’s get you back to bed.”

As he carried Karissa out, Jasmine sat back on the bed, her hands trembling. The envelope remained untouched, a stark reminder of the choice she had made.

And for the first time in months, she wondered if she was truly ready for what came next.

Collins returned to the bedroom after tucking Karissa in, his steps heavier than before. He stood by the door, his face pale, his eyes on the envelope.

“Jasmine, why?” He asked, his voice trembling as he closed the door behind him. “Why would you want to end everything we have built? After everything we have been through?”

She stood by the window, her back to him.

“Collins, please. Just sign it,” she said firmly, though her voice quivered slightly.

“Sign it? Just like that? You think I’m going to let our family fall apart without even knowing why?”

She turned to face him, her expression hardening.

“Seriously? You do not know why?” She gave out a mocking laugh. “So you gonna stand there and lie to my face that you do not know why Collins? Jeez!” Her expression gave way to sorrowful sight.

He sighed, opened his mouth to talk but closed it back.

“You already know why,” she continued, “you have known for years. We have grown apart, Collins. We are barely a couple anymore. I’m tired of pretending.”

“I don’t understand,” he said, his tone rising. “You are tired? Of what? Of me trying to provide for us? Of me working so hard to give you and Karissa everything you need? Of me working my ass out day and night to see you are okay? Of me —”

“Oh Collins please,” she interrupted, her voice a pitch higher, “cut the crap off! Seal it!”

“Huh?”

“Yes please,” her frustration boiled over, “you don’t see it, do you? You think it is about what you do and what you don't? Look, it is not about what you are doing or not doing, it is about how I feel. How we make each other feel! We are like strangers in this house, Collins. This isn’t a marriage; it is a cold, empty partnership.”

Collins clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening as he struggled to process her words.

“So that is it? Instead of fixing things, you run? You give up?”

“It is not giving up,” she snapped, stepping closer to him. “It is choosing to stop living a lie,” she said and left for the living room, he followed.

The argument escalated, their voices growing louder. The tension between them was palpable, a storm brewing in the cozy Christmas-lit home.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Karissa peeked in, her eyes wide with worry.

“Mommy? Daddy? Why are you yelling?”

Jasmine immediately softened, rushing to her daughter. She crouched down to Karissa’s level, stroking her hair.

“It is okay, baby. Mommy and Daddy are just talking.”

“Talking doesn’t sound like that,” Karissa replied, her lower lip trembling.

Jasmine glanced at Collins, guilt flashing across her face. She called out to the maid, who appeared quickly.

“Please take Karissa to her room,” she instructed, her voice steady but kind.

The maid gently took Karissa’s hand, whispering reassuring words to the little girl as she led her away. Jasmine straightened, turning back to Collins.

“See what this is doing to her?” he said, his voice cracking. “You are tearing this family apart, Jasmine.”

“You started pulling it down with your own hands, Collins,” she replied, her voice softer now but no less determined. “Staying in this… this brokenness will only hurt her more in the long run.”

Collins shook his head, his anger giving way to disbelief.

“You think this is saving us? By throwing us away? You are not saving Karissa, Jasmine. You are breaking her heart.”

Jasmine’s resolve faltered for a moment, but she quickly steeled herself.

“I’m done arguing. I have made my decision.”

She turned and left the living room, her feet heavy with the weight of her choice. She climbed into bed, the faint hum of Christmas music from the living room barely reaching her ears.

Collins remained behind, sinking onto the couch. The envelope lay beside him, mocking him with its presence. He ran a hand through his hair, staring at the twinkling lights on the Christmas tree. Memories of happier times flooded his mind, their first Christmas as a couple, Karissa’s first steps under that very tree, the laughter and love that once filled their home.

Now, the silence that followed their argument felt deafening.

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, his head in his hands.

“So, it was this all along?” he whispered to himself, his voice breaking.

The house felt colder despite the warmth of the decorations, and Collins was left to wrestle with his thoughts, his heart heavy with uncertainty about what the future would hold.