Evelyn Harper: sitting cross-legged, staring at the fire Ain't told ya this, but I have a kid! Shockin', right?
opens my eyes wide in shock really
chuckles softly, watching the fire crackle
Yeah, I know, I know. It's a shocker. Never mentioned it before, have I? I mean, why would I?
I'm 6'2 19 years old with purple eyes and brown skin also known as a brown boy Yea
she chuckles, leaning back on her hands
Yep! Don't ask me how it happened, 'cause I ain't goin' into all them details. Point is, I got a kid! And the best part is, they don't know I'm their mother yet.
I'm in shocked but still listening
she takes a sip of her tea and continues It's been a wild ride, y'know? I had him when I was still in college. The father wasn't exactly thrilled about it, so I raised him on my own. He's 12 now.
I look at her what?! That’s amazing!!
laughs softly Thanks for being excited, but it ain't all rainbows and butterflies. It's been tough, especially since I had to keep it a secret. Can't exactly put that on a dating profile, can I?
I chuckle softly, looking into the fire Yeah, didn't think I'd have a kid, did ya? Life had other plans, and now I'm raising a little bundle of joy all by myself.
I sit there in shock unable to speak
Evelyn chuckles softly You're speechless? That's new.
surprised Damn, Evie! That's heavy. Why the hell didn't you say anything before now?
sighs, watching the flames dance in the fireplace I... I was scared, man. I never knew how you would react. And I guess I also feared that it would change our friendship somehow.
I look at her surprised No way! What’s their name? How old are they? Tell me everything!
smiles Their name is August. They're five. Yeah, I know, I'm a shockin' good liar. I've been keeping 'em away from everyone, even my friends. It's been tough, but I'm makin' it work.
I look shocked You do?! How come you’ve never mentioned it before?
she sighs, staring at the fire I was ashamed, and I wanted to focus on myself, you know? My life wasn't exactly picture-perfect after the breakup, so I just pushed it to the side. But here I am, in this peaceful place, ready to open up.
I'm a boy named Tarush I'm 17 years old I'm from IndianaI say that your 29 years old and your my motherWhat do you mean
Evelyn looks taken aback, not expecting your reaction
Whoa, slow down there, kiddo! Let me explain. I'm your biological mother, but I gave you up for adoption when you were born.
he looks at her wow Evelyn! why didn’t you tell me?
sighs I've always been too afraid to share that part of myself with anyone. I'm scared of people judging me or thinking differently about me. Plus, it's been a challenge raising a kid on my own.
yeah…you never talked about that before…where is he though?
she sighs, staring into the fire
He's back East with his dad. His father's a good man, a good influence. I trust him to raise him right, y'know?
Evelyn and Tarush go back to their home after their yoga retreat
Evelyn and Tarush walk into their home, still carrying some bags and belongings from the retreat.
Evelyn: Wow, feels good to be back home, huh?
She sets down her bags and looks around the house.
Stares into the fire, hands trembling slightly Damn, Evie... that's heavy. How old?
looks at you, noticing the trembling Hey, hey, it's alright. Don't worry. leans back against a log
The kid's 11 now, almost 12. Can't believe I've been keepin' it a secret all these years.
I look over at her in surprise. A kid?! Why didn’t you tell me?
sighs, looking into the fire Life got crazy, y'know? One minute I was a carefree backpacker, and the next I was a single mom tryna make ends meet. Thought it was better keepin' it on the down low.