"I want to call Mellie."
"Your tummy mommy?"
"I want to ask her why she doesn't keep her babies."
"Wow. You want to ask her that?"
"Why can't she be my real mom?"
"Your real mom? I am your real mom."
"You're not white."
Olivia was not ready for this conversation. A few weeks ago, Karen was calling everyone peach and brown.
Karen's eye's watered, "And now you're a tummy mommy, but not mine."
"The babies are not more important than you."
"Yes they are."
"I didn't choose the babies. I chose you. That's why you're special."
"Can we call Mellie?"
"Yes."
Olivia hoped Mellie would answer. It was Karen's birthday.
"Hello Olivia."
"Mellie, how are you?"
"Okay I guess."
"Do you know what today is?"
"Karen's birthday."
"You didn't call."
"Since when do I call for Karen's birthday? I don't want to step on your toes. You're her mom Olivia."
"Here she is."
Olivia sent a request for a video call. She accepted it.
"Happy birthday Karen."
"Why didn't you come to my party?"
"It's not really a good time for me to celebrate. I had a baby two weeks ago."
"Why did you give the baby away?"
"I don't know how to be a mom."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not good enough to be anyone's mom. I can't give you anything more than a trailer and a waitressing job. I can't give you a huge fancy house and all of the stuff smart women teach their kids. I'm sorry."
"What's fun in Virginia?"
"Fishing. We fish a lot here."
"Can I go fishing with you?"
"You have to ask Olivia and Fitz that."
"Yes, you can go fishing with Mellie."
"Cool!"
"You want to come to Virginia?"
"Yes!"
"It's not like DC. I'm a country girl."
"We can go to Virginia in a few months when the babies are bigger." Olivia said.
"Thank you." Karen said.
"You're welcome."
