Swapping My Parents Every September

When my parents divorced, they drew up a custody agreement as neat and sterile as a business contract: my sister and I would alternate between them every twelve months. One year with Mom, one year with Dad, swapping every September before the first day of school.

Yet every single year, when the August handoff arrived, they found a way to tear into each other over Chloe.

"Chloe, honey, what do you say we do a beach trip to Hilton Head for Labor Day?"

Dad frowned, his fork hovering midair. "Chloe’s with me this year. Don't go meddling with my schedule."