Not Quite Like the Movies (Otis Milburn x OC)

Deja Vu

Maeve remembers when coming to Speedy Grill was a treat. Getting a kids meal with a toy was the closest thing her and her brother had to Christmas some years. Watching Elsie squeal over her new miniature Barbie is bringing back a lot of bittersweet memories, mostly of finding out in primary school that a "real" Barbie was much bigger, and that most girls had about twelve outfits for their dolls, and lots of Bratz dolls too. After reception, Maeve started asking for the Hot Wheels cars instead, because the genuine article was the same size, and besides, who needed stupid Barbies? And thank God for that, as she probably spared herself a ton of body issues (although she really wanted that stupid one that came with all the temporary tattoos).

But the most memorable part of this stupid fast food chain has always been sitting across from her mum, listening to her try to bullshit her way out of everything.

"Of course Santa will come this year, Maeve."

"You're going to have so much fun at school! You'll learn history like on Horrible Histories!" (This was supposed to soften the blow of the telly getting sold to pay for 'bibs and bobs mummy needs'.)

"All you've got to do is smile and say 'hi' and you'll have more friends than you know what to do with" (Which may have worked if Maeve hadn't gone to primary school with Ruby and Olivia.)

Those were the innocent lies. By year two, they got a lot worse.

"Mummy was just buying you and Sean presents! That's why I missed pickup!"

"You don't have to worry about money, dear. That's my job."

"Of course, I'll always be there. I'm your mum!"

When Erin starts talking, Maeve looks up for the burger in front of her and comes back to the present.

"Your sister's got big, hasn't she," says Erin.

"Half sister," Maeve mutters.

"I grew you in the womb, you're sisters."

Maeve takes a sip of her drink and says, "So you got her back?"

Erin waves a hand dismissively. "She was only at her dad's mum's for a bit, it was a blip." Maeve starts picking her burger apart as Erin goes on. "I bet you got a right fright, didn't you? Seeing me out of the blue?"

"Yeah," Maeve says, nodding. She looks over at Elsie and can't help but smile.

"I'm on step nine of NA," Erin says seriously. "Making amends to those..."

"...You've harmed in the past," Maeve finishes. "We've been here before, Erin."

"Don't call me Erin," she snaps. "I'm your mother." Maeve is somewhere between breaking down in tears, slapping her mum in the face, or blowing a gasket from laughter at the very thought this woman really thinks she has any authority over her, that she can even dare to call herself a mother.

Erin sighs. "It's different this time," she says. "I've got a proper sponsor, been clean for a year. I was waiting until I was really stable to come back, and here I am."

Maeve takes her chips, puts them on her burger, and raises it to her mouth. "Some things don't change," Erin says, trying to smile and make everything better.

Maeve takes a bites, and says, "I think you'll find quite a lot has changed, Erin."

"Don't talk with your mouth full," Erin reprimands.

Seriously? Maeve wants to shout. You've abandoned me so many times, you've hurt me so much, and you think you have the right to ask me to mind my table manners?!