#yet she was praticalmy raised with the Lupsowiec siblings so she can bite back (she is scared while doing so)

[soupedepates]

Antonina belongs to @noa-de-cajou

People tend to remember me, for I am the goth mommy working in retail in two different locations. I need the two incomes to have a good life for my son. Even if Idalia is paying child support, life is still pretty expensive, and young kids grow up really fast. And I grew up on hand-me-downs from my mother, from the Lupsowiec, from the neighbours... which is mad cheap and convenient, but clearly, it did impact me in the wrong way. I just want the best for Dmitry.

My superiors know I am a single mother. Well, everyone knows that. My manager at one store is...

Yeah.

I know why I called a Uber just to make sure he won't follow me. He's been getting handsy these days. And I can't disappear because, you see, I am the goth mommy working in retail. I can't lie low and I catch the eye.

And people don't care about me because I am the goth single mommy working in retail. Colleagues and clients alike. I might be "asking for it", who knows. I...

I do look like I am an easy prey.

Perhaps because I am.

No, no, Tekla, don't think like that.

You don't deserve that.

"You're a wonder and a queen, and I will destroy anyone who dares to look at you. You're mine, and I will protect you." Fuck, get out of my head. It's been 4 years and you're with another, and this woman is a fucking patron saint to put up with your bullshit.

Still, it was easier to hide behind you.

Thanks heaven here's my Uber.

I send Zuza a text to tell her I will be late picking up Dima at her place. I prefer dealing with her, bless her heart, than with my ex. Then, I get into the car.

"Can you please drive around for a bit?" I ask, looking anxiously at my manager staring at me through the window.

"......Tekla? Tekla, from middle school, 6e A, 5e D, 4e C, 3e A?"

I look at my driver in disbelief. These green eyes and this fair hair. This tired face.

"Tonia? My God, it's you???"

"It is!" she smiles before she turns the engine on. "Oh my, it's been a while... Since the end of middle school, right?"

"Yeah!" I take a moment to observe her driving. "You seem to have a lot figured out, Tonia, woah."

"Eh, I'm not sure."

"You look way less gloomy."

"Still, I feel like my life is upside down", she chuckles. "How's life?"

"My manager is a creep and I'm a mother. You?"

"I'm a mother too, and a bad one at that."

"Why do you say that?"

"It's..." She hesitates, then sighs. "Nothing. I just feel like a bad mother."

"You're the sweetest girl I've ever met, you can't be a bad mother."

"...Yeah. Are you still with Efrém?"

Who? Oh. Yeah. Hm. I don't know how familiar Antonina is with the concept of transidentity. Well, not the first time I have to educate people on that.

"It's Idalia now."

"Always knew that kid was fruity", she smiles, giving me a giggle.

"We broke up four years ago. I'm going to her girlfriend's place to pick up my kid."

She looks at the address for a bit.

"That's funny because my midwife has been in this block since four years."

...Wait a damn minute.

"Is she, like, with a thick accent?"

"Yes she is."

"Is this Mrs Majak?"

"You know her?" She exclaims. "The Polish diaspora is quite tight-knit in this city. That's crazy when you think of it."

"You want tea? I have some to spill."

"Always," she twitters.

"Idalia cheated on me with your midwife and that's why we broke up."

"Noooooo."

"Yes," I assure. "And she now lives with her. It's been four years. My kid is at theirs. I am picking him up at theirs and your midwife is actually helping him doing his homework and brewing coffee for me."

She bursts out laughing at a stop sign before resuming her path. She seems like she needed that right now. Girlie is stressed out. Antonina has always been secretive, and I respect that. Least I can do is making her feel better for a while.

"Damn, and I'd rather sit and discuss with this woman than with my ex. You remember how she was in middle school? She didn't calm down at all! It got worse! Well, you know that the Lupsowiec have always been a handful but clearly, she is the worst of them..."

I chat and babble and talk and talk and talk to fill up the silence. When I stop, like on cue, she snorts or says "oh, really? That's crazy! Oh wow!". I think it temporarily alleviates her burden. Perhaps she needs to hear stupid ramblings. Just to feel less alone. I need that sometimes. She said she was a mother. It's kind of lonely to be a mother, and a single one at that. You need company. She can use some of that.

"Annnnd we're at destination", Antonina announces as she parks her vehicle.

"Thanks a lot, Tonia, that's an immediate 5-star," I smile. "Oh, and before I forget, please note my number. You should drop by sometimes, I'm a great cook and we have to catch up."

Her eyes sparkle.

"We sure have. See you soon, I guess?"