Call | Eliana Cardoso & Amber Hernandez Sun. 12/20/2020
Amber: [takes a deep breath and calls]
Eliana: [picks up with a huff] Yes, Amber, what is it? I don’t have long, and you know if it’s a money matter, it would be better if you just text me.
Amber: Hi, Mom. Um, no, it’s nothing like that.
Eliana: Good because frankly I don’t know why you would need money from me when you’ve got a husband who can bankroll all your needs now.
Amber: [purses their lips] Mom, it’s not that. I... I was calling to tell you that... I um..
Eliana: [sighs] Just say whatever it is, dear.
Amber: [stares up at the ceiling, biting their lip, and then looks down] Miguel and I are adopting a little boy. And I’m-...we’re pregnant. With twins.
Eliana: ...........[bursts out laughing]
Amber: [furrows brows] Um...
Eliana: [barely contains herself] Apologies, dear. Just... well, I didn’t give you enough credit, did I?
Amber: What are you ta--
Eliana: You know, when you told me that you signed up for that app, I thought it was utterly ludicrous and a complete embarrassment. But I held a fraction of hope that you would be over and done with it in no time. Even after you doubled down on actually carrying through with the marriage and that ostentatious wedding--although admittedly, marrying up was probably a large appeal wasn’t it?
Amber: No, I don’t care about Miguel’s mone--
Eliana: But just to really cement yourself in his life and guarantee yourself some long term security, you’ve gotten yourself pregnant? [slow claps] Kudos, dear. I didn’t think you had it in you.
Amber: [clenches jaw, biting back tears] It’s not even like that, Mom. I love Miguel, and--
Eliana: [scoffs] Amber, please. What do you even know about love? You’ve never had any serious relationships before.
Amber: That’s not true--
Eliana: In fact, what do you know about parenting? Whatever has your ego inflated to think that raising kids will be like taking care of those rodents of yours, just be thankful I’m able to bring you back down to Earth since you’ve obviously gotten carried away to some fantasy land.
Amber: .......[ignores their tears and mutters] I don’t know why I called you.
Eliana: Excuse you?
Amber: I thought I was doing you a courtesy by calling you. Every time I talk to you, you act like you hate me, or resent me--I don’t know. I didn’t do anything other than want you to be my mom. Want you to love me, be happy for me! What mom says such fucking awful things to their child?
Eliana: [snaps] That’s right. My child because that’s exactly how you sound. That’s exactly how you act. How you’ve always acted. And frankly, I wouldn’t have to treat you the way that I do if you would actually do something legitimately smart with your life. But no, you just make foolish choice after foolish choice. And I’m supposed to, what? Encourage your mistakes? Be proud of you for this?
Amber: [wipes away tears and reluctantly sniffs]
Eliana: You’re crying. [sighs] Of course. Because you know that I’m right. And the sooner you realize and actually listen to me for once, the better off you’ll be. And maybe even these kids of yours will have more than half of a chance between you and your...husband.
Amber: [drops their jaw].......W-wow.......
Eliana: Think about it, Amber. You’re just going to repeat history. You’ll invest in this relationship beyond getting knocked up and sooner or later, it won’t work out. He’ll realize this whole match thing was a mistake, or if he’s anything like your father, he’ll step out on you. And then when it’s just you, the alimony checks and split time with your children, do you know where you’ll be? Floundering, and turning to me for help or support, or comfort--some sort of cushion to follow the blow, because you don’t have any job that will carry you. You don’t apply yourself to anything that would show that you know what you’re doing. And not once in your life have you actually thought ahead. You don’t think ahead. You don’t plan--you never have. And now that you’re in your thirties, I seriously doubt that will change. So if you’re fishing for praise, then you should have tried calling your father. He probably would have given you whatever meaningless fluff you’re craving.
Amber: ....... [sits, stunned and shaking before managing to hang up]