Fourteen-year-old Jenna was looking forward to going on a vacation with her father, stepmother, and two step-siblings. It was supposed to be her first big trip abroad.
What happened at the security gate, however, was something that would scar her emotionally for years.
She Wasn't Feeling Well
Ever since her parents got divorced, Jenna hadn't been feeling well. She missed spending time with her mother and father on a daily basis. Now, she could only see them separately, and it made her sad.
She liked her stepmother and step-siblings, but they could never replace her real family. In an attempt to make his daughter feel a little bit better, Jenna's father booked a family holiday for them.
Her Parents Got Divorced
Jenna was only eleven when her parents, Brad and Susie, announced they were filing for a divorce. Jenna remembered the day they broke the news to her like it was yesterday.
She couldn't understand why her parents decided to split up, and a part of her broke that day. But, little did she know, things were about to get even worse.
At The Airport
Fast forward to the day of the family trip, and Jenna had been telling her friends about her upcoming vacation and how excited she was. She entered the airport with a smile on her face. She was a bit nervous but also excited about her first big trip with her new family.
Sadly, she was about to discover something that would scar her for life.
Checking Tickets
The fourteen-year-old had packed everything she thought she needed for her vacation, but her mother had told her that her father was in charge of her passport. As the family approached the ticket clerk, they felt no nerves. They didn't think they had anything to worry about it.
Sadly, they were wrong.
Passport Check
"Dad, you have my passport, don't you?" said Jenna. "Sure, dear!" Brad smiled as he checked his pockets for several seconds before pulling out his daughter's passport, which looked like it had lived decades compared to the other family members.
He handed Jenna's passport to the grumpy ticket clerk, and she inspected it with narrow eyes. What she said next shocked Jenna to the core.
Her Passport Was Expired
“Sir, are you aware that this passport expires in two months?” the ticket clerk asked Jenna's father. “It does?” Brad exclaimed.
“Oh my God, her mom was in charge of this, I was told everything was good to go! Is everything OK madam?”
Susie's Fault
“If the passport expires in less than six months, then I am so sorry, but I can’t allow her to fly. It’s standard procedure, sir," the ticket clerk explained.
"I KNOW THAT!!" Brad shouted. He blamed his wife for this incident. "This is Susie's doing, I know it, I CAN'T BELIEVE HER! SHE'S DOING IT AGAIN!" Jenna was watching the whole scene unfolding with tears in her eyes. She couldn't board the plane and had to go home. But was it really her mom's fault?
In Tears
Jenna was going to be left out and forgotten while the rest of her family enjoyed their faction. It wasn't fair at all! It wasn't her fault that her passport was expired.
In the meantime, Brad's new wife, Samantha, was freaking out. She had been saving for this trip for nearly two years and was silently fuming that Jenna's mother would sabotage everything in such a cruel way.
"I'm sorry"
Brad turned to Samantha and said, “Honey. I’m so sorry. It’s your call. I know the trip was your idea. I don’t know what to do. I can’t believe her."
Jenna was hysterical at this point. Samantha looked at her and then at her own two children, who looked very upset, too. Then, she said something that would change Jenna's life forever.
The Decision
Samantha told Brad to call his father to pick up his daughter and drive her home. Jenna wasn't her child, and she didn't want to miss out on her trip because of her husband's evil ex-wife.
But as Samantha watched Jenna sobbing uncontrollably, she suddenly felt bad for her. She knew that her answer had upset her, and she would hate herself for it. But it was too late now. Jenna was going home.
Everyone Was Upset
Jenna's grandfather picked her up from the airport and brought her home while the rest of the family went on a vacation without her.
Brad was upset with Samantha and was silent from the moment his daughter left. He was agonizing internally. His other two children weren't happy with her decision, either.
Questions
“Mommy, why’s Jenna gone? We wanted her here to have fun with us!” Abbie asked Samantha.
At that moment, Samantha felt like an evil witch. She had just made a huge mistake. So, how did their holiday turn out?
The Evil Ex
Jenna stared out of the plane window, thinking about how horrible Jenna's mother was. She tried to make a conversation with Brad, but he wasn't in the mood to chat.
It was clear to her that Brad's ex was still in love with him and hated that he had a new wife. It wasn't the first time Susie had tried to sabotage their plans, and Samantha was sick of it.
She Horrible About It
Samantha couldn't stop thinking about Jenna during their vacation and hoped she would forgive her someday.
"I'll make this up to her when we return from the trip," she thought to herself. It took Jenna a few years to finally let it go, however.