A Mad Welcome

The first greeting Mara got from her mother was an angry scoff. Clearly, the woman was not happy to see her or anyone else for that matter. But Mara was not deterred. She had always expected it. What she had feared was getting attacked. Fortunately, there was a glass barrier between herself and the woman. It seemed the room was specially designed to ensure the safety of anyone who interacted with her whenever she was in her bad moods.

“It seems you’re all settled, so I’ll take my leave now. You know where to find me when you’re done,” the receptionist said with a smile and made for the door.

“Thank you,” Mara called after her and she nodded in acknowledgement as she left.

When she had gone out of the room and closed the door behind her, Mara turned to her mother. She took a deep breath and then exhaled. How would she begin? From the beginning of course.

“Mother, I’m your daughter, Mara. Do you remember me? Your ex-husband, Benjamin Johnson, raised me. Do you remember him?”, Mara asked