A bend in space-time (Season 3) - The Umbrella Academy

Chapter 7: April Showers

Chronological markers: this scene fits in as a deleted scene from The Umbrella Academy, season 3, episode 2, around 24:30 (in the middle of the day, around the time when Klaus and Five take a break near the 'World's Biggest Ball of Twine').

Suggested soundtrack: Proleter - April Showers ; Moriarty - Jimmy. TW: evocation of pregnancy denial and cancer.

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April 3 2019, 11:58 am

"I am still stunned by this beautiful April sun that has settled over The City. 'In our time' - meaning back in our old 2019 - the sky was perpetually gloomy, if not downright awful, as it had more or less always been. I wondered what had changed, and I have only one answer: us. And I have a hypothesis about that."

"Recently, even though it paradoxically dates back to 1963, I had the chance to observe how the sound waves released by Viktor's emotional turmoil could cause clouds to gather, bringing rain, snow, or storms. Looking back, I think he had always been in a state of despair that I can't fully measure, if not depression. And after seeing him this morning, happy and at peace, with his fresh haircut, I think I can tell why - today - the sun shines so brightly over The City. In that sense, and even though it breaks my heart that he had to leave her in 1963, I must say that Sissy Cooper deserves the thanks.

I, too, look at myself in one of the shop windows, as I head south down 7th Avenue. I admire my haircut again, also freshly done this morning. I doubt that what I see will ever fully match what I feel, as my body and I have always had a tumultuous relationship. But at least I feel like I'm starting to find myself again. Now all I need to do is get rid of this hippie tunic.

I still don't have any money, and it's starting to be a burden. I was upfront about this with Hoàng Thị Liên when she offered to have lunch with me today. I struggle not to call her Granny. Her voice sounded intrigued on the phone when I introduced myself as a niece, just stopping by The City. She didn't really have time to chat. Surprisingly, there was a lot of noise and music around her. She just quickly gave me the meeting time and place. Hearing her rushed by something other than the schedule of her TV drama is very strange, honestly.

As I turn onto Crescent Avenue, The City's equivalent of Broadway, the first theaters appear, with their large posters of musicals or world-renowned plays. Here, the passing taxis sometimes feature the faces of the latest young stars or advertise the names of big-budget productions. I saw the Rocky Horror Picture Show here with Klaus, a long time ago. What an incredible show that was.

Granny used to live near the Warden fabric market, west of Argyle Park. Through the connection of Reginald Hargreeves - now I know - she worked as a bespoke tailor, sewing the most refined garments in her modest little apartment for The City's elite. She also made the uniforms for the Umbrella Academy, something I only discovered much later. And I was able to tell at a glance, upon seeing the Sparrows' red blazers, that those were not her work.

I wonder what became of her here. Why and how she differs from the person I knew. And - if I don't exist in The City - why she emigrated here. Five thinks we were born scattered across the world, which was indeed my case. Into a family of Vietnamese origin, like so many in France after decolonization. Just like the so-called Lila bears the features of that India which is now so dear to me, while speaking with a strong British accent. Granny and my mother settled here when I was five, with 'financial compensation' from Hargreeves, as I later found out.

What we all are, I don't know. I wish I could understand. And despite myself, as with each of my doubts now, I lower my eyes to the tattooed pattern on my forearm. I have so many questions for this woman who may no longer be my grandmother. I just hope I won't be too shaken to string three words together.