My phone rang and startled me awake. I checked my clock as I reached for my phone. Who on would be calling me at six in the morning. As my phone screen comes into view I see my Mom's number. She has always been an early riser. I answer the phone and mumble, "Hello."

"What on Earth are you still doing asleep?" She asked.

I replied, "Mom, it's six in the morning. What do you want?"

I heard her sigh, "You are just like your father. God forbid you get up early. It might kill you or something."

"Mom," I interrupted, "what did you call for?"

"I need a reason to want to talk to my daughter." She said. "It's not like you ever call or visit."

"Mom, you know I've been busy with the book tour. I'm doing the best I can, but things have been crazy lately." I answered.

"I thought the book tour was over." She replied.

I yawned before I said, "Yes, it ended a week ago, but I have to things to catch up on now that the tour is over."

"You're always too busy." She began. "Maybe your schedule will clear up in time for my funeral."

"Mom!" I start to yell, but immediately calm down. "You know that's not what I mean. My life changed drastically when the book took off, and now the publishers want a new book."

"I know, Honey. I'm sorry. I just really miss you." I could hear the sadness in her voice.

"I miss you too, Mom." I replied. "And Dad. Any chance he'd wake up so I can talk to him?"

"Oh, you know your father. That's actually why I called." Her voice instantly turned serious. "Mitchy, we need to talk. Can you meet me for lunch?"

"Sure, Mom." I said. "What do we need to talk about?"

"I'll see you at noon," She said before ending the call.

I couldn't go back to sleep after the call with my mom. I couldn't help but wonder what she needed to talk to me about. It was nearly time for me to go meet her, and I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something was wrong, I could hear it in her voice. It had to do with my dad, but what could it possibly be? Was he sick? Did something happen to him? I would find out soon enough. I grabbed my keys, purse, and coat and headed out the door.

By the time I made it to the restaurant, I was sure I was going to be sick from my nerves. I could see my mom's car as I pulled in. I was 10 minutes early, and she still managed to beat me here. That's how she's always been, early for everything. I walk in and found where she was sitting. She jumped up to hug me when she saw me.

"Mitchy!" She smiled as I approached. "It's so good to see my beautiful daughter. I've missed you so much."

I hugged her back as I said, "I've missed you too, Mom. I'm so glad you called." I was glad she called, but I was still worried about why. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Let's eat first, Dear. Then, we'll talk." She smiled as she sat down.

I could tell by the look in her eyes the smile was fake. "Is everything alright, Mom?" I asked.

She said, "Let's eat first."

I sat down and grabbed the menu; although, I wasn't sure I would be able to eat. Something was wrong, but I ordered something to eat anyways. My mom made small talk as we waited for our food. Once it came, we ate mostly in silence, except for the occasional comment she made about the food. Once we finished she insisted we order desert. I was barely able to finish my lunch, but she insisted. My mom was the most stubborn woman I had ever known. She ordered us both a piece of pecan pie with vanilla ice cream, my favorite desert. My mom rarely ate desert, much less pecan pie. I knew something was definitely wrong.

"Mom," I began, "I can't take it any longer. You never eat pecan pie. What's going on? Please, just tell me."

She swallowed hard, then began to speak. "Well, I don't know how else to say this, so here it goes. Mitchy, I left your father."

"What?" I couldn't believe what I heard. "When? Why? Are you going to go back?"

"Mitchy, calm down." She said in a hushed tone. "We're in a restaurant."

"I can't calm down!" I said loudly. "When did this happen?"

"Six months ago."

"Six months ago! Why didn't you tell me?"

"You were busy with the book tour, and I didn't want to upset you with everything you had going on."

"You still should have told me. This is because of April isn't it? I knew this would happen! Why did he let this happen?"

"Your father wasn't doing anything about her living there with no job. It's been two years since your Uncle died, and she's done nothing with her life. She dropped out of college and won't work. She's disrespectful to me and to your father. I couldn't take it anymore." My mom had tears in her eyes as she spoke.

We talked for about an hour, then I offered to let her stay with me. She said she didn't want to intrude, but I insisted. I gave her my house keys and told her I would meet her at home. Now, not only did I have less than a month to come up with a new book, I had to deal with my cousin destroying my parents' marriage. How was I supposed to deal with all of this? My life was falling apart all around me, and there was nothing I could do about it. All I could do was wonder where God was in all of this. What were His plans for my life, and how was I supposed to be strong through this? I was barely holding it together before, but now it felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. I cried as I drove, and I begged God for answers. Why me?