The water was cold, it was always cold that time of the year, she did not expect it to be different. She also didn't expect her mother to plan that trip amid autumn it was stupid in her opinion, not that anyone ever asked for it

Why are we doing this again?

I needed to get away from your father, and you always liked coming here

That was her life, trapped in between her parent's ego fights. The reason why they hadn't gotten a divorce yet was mysterious to her, although she was sure she would find it idiotic. One more stupid thing in the world.

Let's have a picnic

Thank god I brought a book

The fights never let her do anything freely. The house seemed a war zone and it was even worse when they wanted her to choose a side.

They had no motive or moment to begin, anything could unleash the sleeping beast of the fights. She had to walk on several eggshells to prevent a sudden bomb. It was incredibly tiresome to be the glue keeping things from falling apart

She was divided between doing something or staying inexpressive, she was going to college soon, and finally have some time for herself, in quietness, since there was no silence in the house anymore and she had to walk the miles to the park to find peace and tranquility. Thankfully her graduation was in two months and until then she could find out what to do.

Two Months after the lake trip, it was scalding summer and insects were abundant, and the Spartst family was standing in a school football field, in order to attend to the daughter's high school graduation

Right after the ceremony was over she gathered her parents and told them the truth, about their merit to be happy and how they could not do that for each other and they shouldn't stay together for her anymore.

They talked to her about how they had remained to together to protect her feelings, even though there was no love left. However, since she had expressed the will for them to be happy, they would get a divorce.

They hugged and she felt happiness for the first time in a very long time. Somehow she knew her parents were more than relieved that she took that weight out of their backs. Now, impressively, they could finally be a family without all the sparks being thrown.