It's the day. It's finally fucking happening. I am meeting my mother for the first time in 17 years. I'm not going to lie. I am shitting myself over this. In classic Evin fashion, I'm overthinking all of the things that can go wrong here. What if she hates our guts? What if there's something more sinister going on that no one has picked up on? What if she hurts Vivienne and Eden?
I had breakfast with Adam and Roger this morning, spent a very intimate afternoon with Casey, and am just waiting for Vivienne to send me the message to call her. Everyone's here, and I mean everyone. Graham, Val, Olivia, Abuelo and Abuela, Stefan, Dan, Casey, Maya. Everyone is eagerly awaiting. This experience will be different for everyone. I have no memory of my mother, other than photos and a few VHS tapes my dad saved. This needs to be a positive memory. A positive time in my life.
Vi: [calls Evin]
E: [answers] Hey bestie!
Vi: You've finally picked up.
E: [laughs] I was making my drink, [holds up mug] I'm kinda thirsty today.
Vi: Busy rehearsals?
E: Aye, yeah. I've been working on both the raiser and the O2.
Vi: [notices Maria] Hey, mom! Do you want to meet my friend?
Maria: Is this your little Irish friend?
Vi: Yes mom.
E: [preparing]
Vi: [turns phone] Say hi!
Ma: Hi there!
E: [bluffing] Ola! Wait, you should probably meet my dad if we're meeting each other's parents. ¡Papá! [motions over]
G: [sits on sofa] Hello!
Ma: [realises] Graham?!
G: [pretending to be surprised] Maria?
Ma: How... why?
E: [getting nervous]
Ma: Wait a minute. If you're Evin, where's Valeria?
E: She's doing some science work in the kitchen. Ay, Val, come over.
V: [comes over and sits on sofa]
Ma: This is... strange to see the least. And sort of hurtful.
G: The pain extends both ways. It was the post-natal depression that drove you away, wasn't it?
Ma: It was indeed, Graham. I tried my hardest to get back, but in a huge blunder, I lost any sort of contact or point of return I might have had. I effectively became trapped, and I just... I just moved on with life. But now I've found you again, and I want to rebuild life with you.
E: The power of social media, eh?
Ma: I had my suspicions that you were my Evin when I saw your music videos on MTV, but I never had confirmation. Now I do. And I'm so... relieved to have this chance to reach out to you. 17 years has been a long time that I can never make up for. Evin, you're 18 in a matter of days. I want to make it special for you one way or another. I think we could easily pull our London trip forward, don't you think Viv?
Vi: I definitely think we could.
E: [confused] So you're gonna, in a matter of days, arrive in London for my birthday, and it's not going to majorly disrupt your lives?
Ma: Yes. I need to be there for you, all of you. There are things I can't do over a video call. I can't give hugs, I can't feel your emotions. I need to get up there ASAP. Val, I robbed your childhood from you. I can do nothing but apologise. I know you were looking out the window as I got into a taxi to the airport. My mind wasn't thinking of how I would hurt you. I know you loved science and that you still do, you have done so much, I'm proud of you. I'm ashamed I left you. I should've been there in the first row at your graduation. We have so much catching up to do now. From here on out, I promise you that I'm going to do all I can to support you in your career and I will be your cheerleader, always. We need to rebuild, will you rebuild with me?
YOU ARE READING
The Trials and Tribulations of a so-called Trouble Teen
General FictionThings never seem to go smoothly for Evin. Each day presents a new challenge for them, sometimes more difficult than others. Despite all this, they power through life their way and they won't stop at anything until they achieve their goals, or justi...
