“The One” Kirsten Scott vs. Deanna Frost

[TheOne]

{NEHMIAH: The Final Chapter}

Life doesn't always hand you lemons.  Sometimes it doesn't even give you fruit, but yet it still asks you to make of it what you will, and that is where I am at today.  My estranged mother, the woman who allowed me to be put in so many situations I never wished, reaches out to me and wants to talk, and it takes everything in my soul not to simply say two words...

"Fuck Off..."

But the biological connection between mother and daughter cannot be ignored as reading her words made me question everything I had believed for so long because of a look in her eye when we saw one another.  Everything I believed I had known was thrown into oblivion when she looked at me with eyes that only a mother who loved her child could give.  And I was confused.  I was distraught.  I was forced to wonder if my mother actually cared about me when my father only cared about himself.  I was forced into a situation where I could utilize life's two most basic instincts...

Fight... Or flight...

I had never, metaphorically, flown, a day in my life and I wasn't about to begin now, so I had to force myself into a situation where fighting made sense.  I had to find a way that fighting would be best for me, my sanity, and the potential ideal situation that my mother meant well.  So I conversed with my friends, my "real family," and I asked them what I should do.  I engaged with Emma for guidance.  I looked deep inside and all I could find was an answer to the question of "How?" that wouldn't put me, or any others, in a sense of potential danger mentally, physically, or emotionally.  And as Anthony Bourdain described it, in a place, "indeed marvelous.  An irony free zone, where nothing hurts."

Inside of one of the staple establishments of the south and Midwest, the Waffle House, it is late at night on a Saturday.  The normal clientele from the bars are beginning to slowly venture in and take seats, joining a couple at one table and two other individuals already inside.  One is a hooded person at the bar, sipping a cup of coffee and eating their food, and the other is Kirsten Scott, sitting at the booth furthest from the entrance, but still facing it.  Her mannerisms tell the tale.  She is nervous.  She repeatedly is taking deep breaths, each time the door opens and more people flock in.  It's also apparent when she seems startled when her food is brought to her and sat down on the table.

It's then, the door opens, and she gasps quickly as she sees her mom enter the restaurant.  Her mom begins to scan the room and ultimately sees her daughter in the back booth.  They lock eyes and there is a brief pause in both of their movements, before Kirsten's mom begins to approach the table.  Upon arriving, words are initially scarce.

Mom: May I sit down?

Kirsten nods.

Kirsten Scott: Please... Do...

Her mom removes her coat and sets it into the booth along with her purse, before sitting down.

Kirsten Scott: ... Order anything you want.  I'm paying...

The waitress sees the new member of the table and is quick to come and take her order.

Mom: ... I'll just have a cup of coffee, for now...

Kirsten Scott: You sure?

Mom: Right now... I'm too nervous to eat... This really wasn't the location I envisioned us having our first real conversation with one another, you know?

Kirsten Scott: It's probably not the "perfect" establishment, but it seemed like a secluded and "unlikely" enough place we could meet.  I wanted it to be an open venue, and honestly, with all of the people coming in from the bars, it's going to be loud and chaotic enough where we can talk, and nobody will be paying attention to us.  We will just fall into the noise.  And let's be real... It gives us the potential for some entertainment to cut through the tensions with this group of patrons coming in...

The last line breaks her mother's nerves enough to bring out a small chuckle.  Kirsten's tone, then, returns to the seriousness it had initially.

Kirsten Scott: ... So you texted me.  What's this all about?  What does Dad know about this?  Is this really his doing, and you're just playing along?  I'm asking all of this for a reason.  When I looked at you in the grocery store, you looked like you were happy to see me... Like I mattered.  You looked like you cared about ME.  But I'll be honest and say I've been fooled by that look before, and I'm not going to be again.  And in everything I do, I always put contingency plans in place in case things go wrong, so I'll be honest... If this is a setup, I'm three steps ahead of you both...

Kirsten's mom has her head slowly look down, feeling guilty, and knowing that everything Kirsten just said comes from a very real, and very valid place.  She slowly looks up, with obvious guilt in her eyes.

Mom: Your father knows nothing about this.  I reached out, and came on my own accord.  There is a truth you need to know and understand.  Your father and I have been estranged and on very little speaking terms since the raid.  Because I'll be honest, I never wanted you to be forced to go out there to The Compound with us.  I wanted to leave you at home.  I wanted you to be oblivious for your own safety.  But he insisted, and when you became "The One," I hated it.  I really did.  It meant that we had lost you as our "daughter" from that point forward, and were just "clients" to you at that point... Nothing more...

She takes a deep breath and blows it out, cheeks puffing out, before continuing.

Mom: ... And from there, your father manipulated me to believe that, having you as "The One" was one of the best things for us and everyone around us.  It would mean we could do whatever we wanted, and in his eyes, you'd protect us, and ensure we were always safe, both physically and financially.  We would never be suspected of anything.

Since the raid, however, we've been investigated up and down, multiple times.  And rightfully so.  And... Before you think I'm here to ask anything of that, you can stop.  I'm simply filling you in.  I want nothing in regard to the past.  I reached out because I'm tired of not having a relationship with my little girl.  I'm tired of not being able to be proud of what you did, and what you will do going forward.  I'm tired of knowing all I'm known for is your suffering, and not doing my best to begin the process of making amends and righting my wrongs...

Kirsten pauses, and takes a deep breath.  She wants to really absorb everything her mom just unloaded on her before responding, WANTING to trust her, but still unsure of the validity of her honesty.  After a brief pause, she replies.

Kirsten Scott: So then answer me why?  Why did you do it?  Why did you always go along with me being sent off to my room like a wretch, so you two could just fuck whatever visitor you two brought in that night?

This blunt response begins to make her mother have tears stream down her face.  But she doesn't use it as a mechanism to garner sympathy.  She fights through the tears to answer and continue the honesty with her daughter.

Mom: ... I... I was always told it would make his and my love for one another grow more.  Everything I did or said was because he made me believe it.  He forced the first situation on me before you were born, and then played to my weaknesses of believing it was making us stronger each time after.  He would tell me that he wasn't "forcing" it on me, but he always was.  He would say he wouldn't do anything to hurt me, but it was destroying me on the inside, and showing his selfishness.

Kirsten Scott: I'm going to be blunt and ask if I'm REALLY supposed to believe you were that naive all along?  Am I supposed to believe this sob story of him being this ultimate brain in this constant barrage of menage-et-trois?  Am I supposed to believe he knew that soft spot button of yours to push every time, and you never once questioned it?

Her mom shakes her head.

Mom: No.  You're not.  Because it sounds like crap.  I know it.  I kick myself because I allowed it.  So no... I don't expect you to believe it, but that's why I'm here.  That's why I said I had to take the steps to begin repairing THIS.  I couldn't make excuses anymore.

I mean, "on paper" I know how it looks.  I look like I'm saying what I need to say to not take any blame.  I participated.  I'm to blame, too.  I fell into the lifestyle, and it just became a "norm," and I pushed my questions and feelings aside because I had been told the same thing over and over.  I didn't see it hurt you, so I didn't believe the pain existed.  But I didn't come here to feed you lies, either.  I came here to do what was right and tell the truth from my standpoint.

She takes a deep breath to calm the tears.

Mom: I didn't come here to "convince" you.  I came here to tell you the truth, and do it to your face.  You deserve that.  I'm to the point in MY life where I have to make decisions about your father and I, and they won't be easy to do.  But the fact is we were both played.  And yes, I went along with everything, and at a point, it was without hesitation.  I'm not going to lie to you about it.  And I never took into consideration about how it would hurt or impact you.  And you deserve to hear that, and the truth, from my mouth, one on one...

Those words hit Kirsten deep.  They weren't ones she expected to hear, as she was taking accountability, and not trying to simply act as if she should magically be forgiven.  Kirsten pokes around at her food, thinking about trying to take a bite, but just sets the fork back down before continuing on.

Kirsten Scott: So what are you wanting from all of this?

Mom: I'm simply taking what I believe is the first step forward.  After this, I don't know what to expect or want from you, or out of this.  But this was what I felt needed to be "step one."

Kirsten Scott: And... You understand where I'm coming from, right?  Why this just seems so... Convenient?

Mom: Of course I do.  I didn't do something until we all met up in an unlikely space, and then I reached out.  It's a perfect storm...

Kirsten Scott: Too perfect...

Mom: And I don't care about that, because it needed to happen, and I'm not a superhero for doing it, but I'm also not going to allow it to be a wedge anymore.  I'm going to begin chipping away at it on my side, and if I have to do all of the work I will.

Kirsten nods lightly.

Kirsten Scott: Then I need reassurances...

Mom: You deserve them... So what kind?

Kirsten Scott: I don't know.  But I need reassurances he's not part of this.  That he's not manipulating you again.  That this isn't his way to try to get back to me to protect HIS ASS...

Mom: Then you've told me my job, then... You've told me what you need... You've told me what you expect... I told you I didn't come here expecting this grand reunion.  I didn't come to convince you.  I came with hope.  I came with hope that we could find a way to take whatever "step two" or even "step one-point-five" would be.  I feel you've at least given me that...

The servers at Waffle House have been able to see that, among the inebriate population they are mostly surrounded by, Kirsten and her mom have been in a much more serious conversation and have stayed back.  As the tension seems to wane, a server approaches the pair, hoping to make sure they're OK, as Kirsten goes in actually taking a bite of her food.  Her mom actually glances at the menu, and is about to order when the door of the restaurant can be heard violently opening, catching the server and Kirsten's attention.

Kirsten's eyes widen as she sees her father storming in, short of breath.  Kirsten's mom sees this reaction, knowing she was about to say one final thing, and sees her husband looking around the room as well.  His eyes make it their way, and he locks eyes with Kirsten.

Dad: KIRSTEN!  HONEY!

At this point, the inebriated basis of most of the people in the restaurant quickly shuffle their focus toward the man yelling louder than their combined volume.  At this same time, like a ninja, the hooded figure, sitting at the counter the whole time minding their business, spins in their chair and removes the hood to reveal themselves as Hailey, who was Kirsten's "contingency plan" in this situation.  Hailey's responsibility was to simply be there on the off chance her father showed up, and otherwise stay silent and inconspicuous.

She stares the man down, who immediately recognizes her.

Dad: ... HEY!  I'M HERE TO TALK TO MY DAUGHTER!

Hailey takes two steps and gets in her father's face.

Hailey Brooks: I suggest you get the FUCK out of here, right now, or you will be escorted out in a manner you DON'T deem fit...

Dad: Don't you even try to get involved in MY FAMILY'S business.  I have EVERY RIGHT to talk to my family!

Hailey gets closer to him and lowers her tone to a whisper, where only he can hear.

Hailey Brooks: I'm sorry, asshole, maybe you didn't hear me, you're not welcome here...

He grits his teeth and looks at Hailey.

Dad: I have my rights...

Hailey Brooks: No, you can rephrase that.  You HAD your rights.  You lost them.  That girl you always manipulated is gone.  The WOMAN she has become is not a puppet for you to pull the strings on anymore, asshole...

Hearing the initial commotion between Hailey and her husband, Kirsten's mom stands up and turns and looks in his direction.

Mom: I'm done too.  We are done.  I filed the divorce papers this morning and they were to be served to you tomorrow!

Kirsten's eyes go wide, and Hailey's head even turns around on a dime, surprised at this assertion.  Hailey then looks directly at Kirsten's mom, smirks and nods, before turning back toward Kirsten's father.

Hailey Brooks: Welp it looks like you're batting 0-fer tonight with the women who SHOULD have mattered most in your life, than those you just let amuse your cock...

Dad: Out of my way...

He begins to try and push Hailey aside, and very nonchalantly she grabs him by the shoulders and elevates her knee directly into his groin area, forcing him to let out a groan, and the drunks in the room to let out an "ooohhh!"

Hailey Brooks: Yeah, I don't think so, "Tim..."

Hailey, then, spins him around and begins to escort him back toward the door, as he bends over grabbit his crotch.  A patron awaiting a table immediately opens the door and motions for her to escort him out of the building.

Hailey Brooks: ... And a thank you!

She opens the second door to the entry and puts a boot in his backside pushing him onto the sidewalk outside.  She walks back in, and is again given a held door by the patron.

Hailey Brooks: Fucker was making me get up from my food and it was getting cold!

There is a silly applause from the drunks who don't know WHAT they have just witnessed, whereas the staff, having served both Kirsten and Hailey, understand there is much more under the surface.  The staff immediately grab Hailey's food and say they'll remake it, and warm up her coffee, while Hailey simply takes her seat again.  She looks over at Kirsten and her mom and gives them one simple instruction.

Hailey Brooks: As you two were...

Hailey puts the hood back over her head, and Kirsten's mom realizes that her daughter had, indeed, taken everything into account when planning this meet up.  The server comes over and she actually places her order, before turning to Kirsten, who is still kind of shocked by the situation.

Mom: As I was hoping to tell you... I filed from divorce from your father.  I didn't want to lead with that.  I wanted to speak my peace about the past, first.  You deserved to hear the truth before hearing me state what I was doing on my end.  I am done with the manipulation.  YOU opened my eyes.  YOU brought me to reality.  YOU made me realize I was just a piece of his scheme.  YOU are a source of strength I will need in MY future... OUR future... But I will not demand it of you.  I will ask it.  But I won't demand it.  I've done enough demanding of you.  But it's now I start caring for myself, and rebuilding the bridges I've burned.  And no bridge is more important than yours.

Kirsten sits back in the booth and lets out an audible expulsion of breath.

Kirsten Scott: I can't trust you.  I can barely trust anyone.  What you just saw was what happens when I finally feel capable of trusting someone.  They are there.  If you will be there, I will commit to one thing and one thing only... And that is whatever "step two" is, and WE decided it is.  Not you, not me.  WE.  If you allow us to find an amicable next step to this, then you have my word I'll commit to cutting into the wedge between us from my end as well...

Kirsten's mom simply nods, as her food is expedited to her.  The two eat, and for the most part simply sit in silence.  There is some idle banter about the world, but nothing significant about either side.  Both know they each need time to think on what will represent that "next step" for their relationship.  Hailey peeks out from her hood and sees the situation, and can deduce where things stand, knowing that time is now the only thing separating the pair, but is not forcing them to rush.