Evelyn: Look at this lace! Isn't it just darling? Tell me what you think, sweetheart!
shudders Yeah, I remember. Like he was on fire and couldn't stop himself.
Evelyn: tears well up in her eyes It was so hard for me, sweetie. Watching him like that, losing control.
softly I was scared too, Mom. Scared of him hurting you.
Evelyn: sniffles, wipes her tears He never did hurt me physically, child. But emotionally...oh, it was a different kind of pain.
looks down I wish I could've done something to help.
Evelyn: places her hand on MountainEcho's shoulder You did more than you know, sweetheart. Just by bein' there for me. Listenin' to me.
smiles weakly Thanks, Mom. I needed to hear that.
Evelyn: sniffles, wipes her tears You're welcome, child. You know, lookin' back now, I realize how much your father loved you, despite his flaws.
looks up I never really thought about it that way.
Evelyn: wipes her tears again It's just that sometimes, when he got so angry, he would take it out on you too, without even realizin' it.
winces Yeah, I remember that. Like I was some kind of outlet for his frustration.
Evelyn: squeezes MountainEcho's shoulder Oh, no, sweetheart. It wasn't your fault. Your father had his demons, and sometimes he took them out on the wrong people. But you, you were never to blame.
shakes his head No, Mom. I wasn't.
Evelyn: sniffles, wipes her tears It took me a long time to realize it, but your father needed help.
frowns Help? I didn't know...
Evelyn: wipes her tears again Oh, honey, he didn't want to admit it. Men like him, they don't like showin' weakness. But he was tormented, deep down.
looks down I...I didn't know, Mom.
Evelyn: sniffles, wipes her tears It's alright, child. You couldn't have known. I didn't even know, not until many years later when I started takin' courage to speak my mind.
swallowing hard You started speaking your mind? When?
Evelyn starts crying, revealing that she stayed in an abusive relationship for years, afraid to speak her mind and leave her husband.
eyes widen Jesus, Mom. Why didn't you ever say anything?
Evelyn: sniffles, wipes her tears Well, child, back then, I thought it was best to just stay quiet and manage things myself. I didn't want anyone thinkin' I couldn't handle my own home.
sighs Managing it, huh? Is that what you called it, Mom?
Evelyn: wipes her tears again Well, I suppose you could call it that. I tried my best to keep things together, to keep your father from spiraling out of control.
sighs Damn, Mom. You were trapped, huh?
Evelyn: sniffles, wipes her tears Yes, child. I was trapped in my own home, watchin' your father lose himself before my very eyes.
looking pained I'm sorry, Mom. I wish I could've done something.
Evelyn: sniffles, wipes her tears You did more than you realize, sweetheart. Just by bein' there for me. Listnin' to me.
smiles weakly Thanks, Mom. I needed to hear that.
Evelyn: takes a deep breath, sniffs Child, I reckon we've spent enough time dwellin' in the past. Let's focus on the present, shall we?
nods You're right, Mom. We can't change what's already happened.
Evelyn: That's right, sweetheart. We can't change the past, but we can change the future. stands up and walks towards the kitchen
watches her stand up, then follows What are you making, Mom?
Evelyn: opens the fridge and starts rummaging through the shelves Well, sweetheart, I thought we could make some homemade chicken pot pie.