Broken__When_Parents_Split

Broken: When Parents Split It is 10:30PM on Sunday November 30, 2002 and Tom is driving his nineteen-year-old daughter Amy to Penn Station. She must return home tonight to her mother in Marlboro, New Jersey—his formerly stable residence. There is a tension permeated with sadness in the New York City air and both Tom and Amy are awaiting a painful moment. Tom initiates, “I’m sorry that this has been so hard on you.” Amy’s anticipated tears begin to pour, “Daddy, don’t worry, I just miss you being home with me.” Tom tries to fight his own tears, but loses in his attempt, “I’m sorry baby; I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m sorry I haven’t gone to New Jersey to be with you. I’m sorry you’re so depressed. I’m sorry you’re stuck in the middle.” Amy is now in hysterics, struggling to breath and speak simultaneously, “Daddy, I love you so much and I have always taken for granted the fact that you’ve been around and now you’re gone and it’s so hard without you. This is the first Thanksgiving we haven’t spent together in my entire life and I just, I just…really miss you.” Tom tries to catch his breath, “But sweetie, I’m family, divorce, children, parents, mother, father, am, each, sister, own, home, been, relationships, love, individual, thus, life, development, always, one, marital, issues, important, both, tom, time, therapy, support, know, depression, situation, rothbaum, need, emotional, between