- 4 hours ago
Category
🎈
FunTranscript
00:02On the first day of my marriage to Noah, my mother called the police and said I was being controlled.
00:07Emma Wicker, are you safe?
00:09Yes.
00:09Did you marry voluntarily?
00:10Yes.
00:11Has your husband stopped you from contacting your family?
00:14Mom stood outside with tears in her eyes.
00:16Dad was behind her, his face hard.
00:18Ryan glared at Noah, like he was one second away from throwing a punch.
00:22Lily stood in the far corner, her pretty blonde curls spilling over her shoulders.
00:26Her eyes were red too.
00:28No.
00:28Your family says you suddenly left home after graduation, cut off contact and got married very quickly.
00:33They're worried you may be under someone's control.
00:35They just realized for the first time that I'm a person too.
00:38All right, Miss Witter, you're free to go.
00:40The second I stepped outside, Mom rushed at me and pulled me into a tight hug.
00:45Emma, what were you thinking?
00:47Do you have any idea how worried we've been?
00:51Stay away from my daughter.
00:53Noah stood beside me and asked quietly.
00:55Do you want to go?
00:55I nodded, took his hand, and turned to leave.
00:59Emma, you can't do this to me.
01:01We're your family.
01:02Yeah, they were my family.
01:04But they hadn't found me because they loved me.
01:06They found me because I was no longer the good daughter who stayed where they left her, waiting.
01:10Six months earlier, during graduation season, they had left me behind again and taken Lily to Paris without me.
01:17That was when I finally left home for good.
01:21I hadn't even taken off my graduation gown when Ryan handed me a pair of slip-resistant work shoes.
01:26Try them on.
01:27I bought them just for you.
01:28You can stand for ten hours in these and your feet won't hurt.
01:31Outside the auditorium, the lawn was full of graduates taking pictures with flowers in their arms.
01:36Some were being kissed on the forehead by their parents.
01:38Some laughed with champagne raised.
01:40Others tossed their caps into the air.
01:42And in my hands, instead of flowers, was a pair of dull gray shoes.
01:46Mom took my diploma, folded it once, and tucked it into her bag.
01:49Then she hurried over to Lily, under a tree, where they bent over the Paris guidebook they'd just bought.
01:53Why do I need stand for ten hours?
01:56I found you a position at the grocery store near home.
01:59Cashier and stalker.
02:01The pay's decent.
02:02Mom, I graduated top of my class in finance.
02:04And I just graduated.
02:07Exactly.
02:07It's time you got some real-world experience.
02:09A job will be good for you.
02:11I'd been hearing that for four years.
02:13In freshman year, they sent me to pack boxes in a warehouse and took Lily to New York.
02:17The sophomore year, I spent every day on my feet in a coffee shop while they paid for Lily's driving
02:21lessons and drove her back and forth.
02:23The junior year, I tutored middle school students while they took Lily to Greece.
02:28And now, I had graduated.
02:30I needed to find a real job.
02:32I needed to figure out what I wanted my life to look like.
02:34But they thought I should go learn a lesson at a grocery store.
02:37Beside them, Lily spun in a circle.
02:39Mom, is Paris going to be hot?
02:41Do you think I need two more dresses?
02:43Buy them.
02:43Your brother's paying.
02:45This trip is for you to enjoy yourself.
02:47It's your last summer before senior year.
02:49Of course you should look your best.
02:51Ryan, you're the best brother ever!
02:53I turned to Dad.
02:54His throat moved once.
02:56Then he looked away.
02:57He never asked whether I wanted to go.
03:00I lowered my eyes and slowly put on the shoes.
03:02They really were light.
03:04Light enough to walk out of that house for good.
03:07When we got home, Lily pushed open my door.
03:10Emma, I want to use your suitcase.
03:11My answer was just as direct.
03:13No.
03:14Why?
03:15Mine doesn't look good in photos.
03:17Yours is a better color for Paris.
03:18I need it.
03:20What do you need it for?
03:22You're not going anywhere.
03:23This wasn't the first time she'd used my things.
03:26She wore my sweater to a party and returned its smelling of alcohol.
03:30She took my camera on a trip and brought it back with a cracked lens.
03:34The last few times she borrowed my suitcase, it came back dented.
03:37Every time, she said.
03:38Sorry, I didn't mean to.
03:40Then did it again.
03:41Footsteps sounded outside.
03:43Mom, Dad, and Ryan appeared almost together.
03:46Emma, it's one suitcase.
03:47Do you really have to make such a big deal out of it?
03:49We're family.
03:51Why are we always fighting over little things?
03:53Lily's packing tomorrow.
03:54Don't upset her.
03:55I told you I need it.
03:56I'm not giving it to her.
03:57Are you deaf?
03:58The room fell silent.
04:00Ryan turned and went into his room.
04:02A moment later, he dragged out a sky blue suitcase.
04:06It was his birthday gift.
04:08I'd bought it for his birthday, with three months of part-time pay, the summer after sophomore year.
04:12He had just started his first full-time job then.
04:14I thought he could use it for business trips, but he had never used it once.
04:18Now he rolled it over to Lily.
04:19Use this.
04:20Is that okay?
04:22Emma gave it to you?
04:23It's fine.
04:23It's mine.
04:24Use it.
04:25Right.
04:26It's fine.
04:27Once you give someone something, they can do whatever they want with it.
04:29Ryan finally looked at me.
04:31His brow furrowed, as if something in my tone bothered him.
04:34But he said nothing.
04:35He took Lily's hand with one hand, and pulled the suitcase with the other, then left.
04:39No one called me for dinner that night.
04:41When I came out, they were deep in discussion.
04:44Light wood will look better in pictures for a lake house.
04:47I'm decorating my room myself anyway.
04:49What lake house?
04:50Dad saw me and cleared his throat.
04:52The table went quiet.
04:54Oh, right, Emma.
04:55We bought a little place by the lake six months ago.
04:57We'll take you to see it sometime.
04:59Six months ago?
05:02Yes.
05:02We just never had a chance to tell you.
05:04I cut into the cold chicken on my plate and wondered if they'd never had the chance.
05:08Or simply never thought to.
05:10What's the door code?
05:12081904.
05:13My fork stopped.
05:14August 19th was Ryan's birthday.
05:17April was Lily's birth month.
05:19That's a nice code, Mom.
05:20Do you remember when my birthday is?
05:22Why are you asking that?
05:23You don't even remember your own birthday?
05:26You were born in winter.
05:28It snowed hard that day.
05:30Your mom wasn't due yet.
05:31Then she started bleeding in the middle of the night.
05:33Scared us half to death.
05:34He said it as casually as if he were talking about the weather.
05:37You've been trouble since the day you were born.
05:40Thomas, stop!
05:41So, I'd been the problem from the day I was born.
05:47As I dried the last plate, my phone buzzed.
05:50An email popped up.
05:51Congratulations, Emma Whitmer.
05:53Your onboarding for the Port Marion Graduate Program has been approved.
05:56Housing confirmed.
05:57Please report next Monday.
05:59I stared at the screen.
06:00My chest suddenly felt lighter.
06:02I'd waited two months for that email.
06:04From the campus career fair, to the online interview, to the final round,
06:08I had done it all by myself.
06:10No one knew, and of course, no one cared.
06:13I replied, I'll be there on time.
06:15I went to the University Health Center alone for the pre-employment medical clearance.
06:19The campus was empty after graduation.
06:22I stood in line alone, signed forms, took an ID photo.
06:26Who should we put down as your emergency contact?
06:28I held the pen for a long time.
06:30Then I wrote down my own email address.
06:31That night, Lily was in the living room showing everyone what she'd bought.
06:35She got Mom a scarf and Dad a shirt.
06:37Mom's eyes crinkled with her smile.
06:38But when she saw me, the smile faded at once.
06:42Look at Lily.
06:42So thoughtful.
06:43She remembers to buy things for her parents when she goes out.
06:47Unlike you.
06:48You graduated, and you didn't think of us once.
06:51Where was I supposed to get the money?
06:53What do you mean by that?
06:54Are you blaming me for not giving you money?
06:56Have you ever given me any?
06:58Emma!
07:00Don't speak to your mother like that!
07:03I did nothing wrong.
07:04I'm not apologizing.
07:06That night, I booked a one-way ticket to Port Meridian.
07:11The next morning, the house was busy.
07:14Do you have your passport?
07:15Your charger?
07:16Sunscreen?
07:17Your first trip to Paris.
07:18Don't forget anything.
07:20Come on.
07:21The airport car is here.
07:22I pulled my own suitcase out of my room.
07:24The living room went quiet for a second.
07:26There you go again with that face.
07:28Now we can't even be happy around you?
07:31I didn't answer.
07:32I walked straight to the door.
07:33Lily saw my suitcase and paused.
07:35Emma, where are you going?
07:36Where else?
07:37Work.
07:38I opened the door.
07:39The others scoffed and followed me downstairs.
07:41Only Dad's expression changed.
07:43The grocery store was ten minutes from home.
07:45Why was I taking a suitcase?
07:47He walked toward me quickly.
07:49Panic on his face.
07:50Emma, where are you going?
07:52Downstairs.
07:52My Uber was waiting by the car.
07:54The driver honked.
07:55Dad, hurry up.
07:56We're going to miss the flight.
07:58Dad stopped.
07:59He looked at me, then at the car.
08:02Dad!
08:03Dad closed his eyes and got into the car.
08:06I stood there and watched it drive away.
08:08Goodbye, Mom and Dad.
08:08You're going to Paris.
08:10I'm going to the station.
08:11I'm not coming back.
08:14I fell asleep the second I got on the train.
08:17When I woke up, the low houses outside had become a gray-blue coastline.
08:21Port Meridian was colder than I expected.
08:22The graduate program had arranged a shuttle.
08:25First time here?
08:27I nodded.
08:28You look exhausted.
08:29Make sure you get some rest.
08:31The internship apartment was near the university district.
08:34There was a coffee shop downstairs, a used bookstore on the corner, and a group of summer grad students living
08:40in the building next door.
08:43You're Emma, right?
08:45I'm Maya.
08:45We were waiting to eat with you.
08:48What sauce do you like?
08:49Tomato, cream, or pesto?
08:51I froze.
08:52I knew everyone else's favorites, but I didn't know what I liked.
08:55No rush.
08:56I'm a pretty good cook.
08:58You can try all three.
09:01Okay, thank you.
09:02That night, the family group chat kept buzzing.
09:05Lily sent an airport selfie.
09:06Paris, here I come.
09:07Mom sent a picture of herself and Lily.
09:09Dad was in the background, holding up his coffee cup and making a face.
09:13Ryan said,
09:14Have fun.
09:15Buy whatever you want.
09:16Mom tagged me.
09:17Emma, remember to get to work early tomorrow.
09:19Don't oversleep.
09:20I didn't reply.
09:22More than ten hours later, Ryan sent a message.
09:26Mom, Emma's gone!
09:28Only then did they realize there was no trace of me left in that house.
09:34Orientation was held in a lecture hall at Port Meridian University.
09:37I held my ID badge, program handbook, and apartment key,
09:40while the director introduced the summer program from the front of the room.
09:43During the break, a man set some papers on my desk.
09:46Hi.
09:46You're missing a safety guide.
09:48He was tall, with dark brown hair and gray-green eyes.
09:50A badge around his neck identified him as a program mentor, Noah Bennett.
09:53Try to stick to the main streets when you walk back to the apartments at night.
09:56New interns get lost easily.
09:59He nodded and went to hand out materials to the others.
10:02A little after nine, my phone buzzed.
10:04The grocery store said you never showed up.
10:06I checked your room.
10:06Your suitcase is gone.
10:07Emma, where are you?
10:08I was so irritated.
10:10Everything okay?
10:10I shook my head, ignoring the cold sweat in my palms.
10:13I'm fine.
10:17I was working late in the records room that night.
10:19By the time I left, half the hallway lights were off.
10:22Noah came out of his office and saw me with my bag.
10:24Miss the shuttle?
10:26I can drive you.
10:27It's okay.
10:28I'll walk.
10:30Stick to the main streets.
10:31Don't take the alley behind the parking garage.
11:01Okay.
11:04The next second, someone rushed over and punched him in the face.
11:07The man stumbled back, then turned and ran.
11:09I curled up on the ground, shaking with pain.
11:12My vision went dark.
11:13Noah crouched beside me.
11:14Emma, don't move.
11:16I called an ambulance.
11:17Look at me.
11:18Don't fall asleep.
11:19I wanted to thank him.
11:20Then, everything went black.
11:23When I woke up again, I was in an observation room.
11:25Noah sat at the small table beside my bed, looking through files on his laptop.
11:29The moment he saw me awake,
11:31How do you feel?
11:33It's fine.
11:34He immediately poured me a glass of water and handed it to me.
11:37After I drank, I realized my phone had been vibrating nonstop.
11:40Your family?
11:41I unlocked the screen.
11:42The first message from mom said,
11:44Stop pretending to be dead.
11:45Call me now.
11:48I stared at those words.
11:50The panic came back, and my fingers wouldn't stop shaking.
11:53I'm going to get you something to eat.
11:54Take your time.
11:55After the door closed, I frantically scrolled through the messages.
11:59Where the hell did you go?
12:01Your mother's worried sick.
12:03Stop trying to scare us.
12:05I checked with the grocery store.
12:07You never showed up.
12:07What are you doing?
12:09Emma, you're getting more and more ungrateful.
12:12Emma, don't do this.
12:13Mom is really worried about you.
12:14Worried?
12:15Did she really worry about me?
12:16I gave a short laugh, but my eyes burned.
12:18My phone rang again, I answered.
12:20Mom's voice came at me immediately.
12:22Emma Wicker, you have some nerve answering.
12:23Where did you run off to?
12:25Port Meridian.
12:26What are you doing there?
12:28Working.
12:28Didn't we find you a job?
12:33I didn't want it.
12:34Since when did you become so selfish?
12:36You left home without a word.
12:37Do you know how humiliating this is for us?
12:39I leaned back against my pillow.
12:40Do you know what I majored in?
12:41No one answered.
12:44Do you know when I interviewed?
12:45Do you know how much of my tuition I paid myself over the last four years?
12:49Do you know I worked every summer and never got to go anywhere?
12:51I'm asking why you didn't go to work.
12:53Why are you bringing up the past?
12:54This isn't the past.
12:56This is my life.
12:57Dad took the phone.
12:58Emma, you're the older sister.
13:00Lily is younger than you.
13:01You should...
13:02She's one year younger than me.
13:04No one spoke.
13:04I laughed once and went on.
13:06Because I'm one year older, I have to be the understanding one forever?
13:09I have to wash dishes, work, and watch her go to New York, Greece, and Paris?
13:14Emma.
13:15And the lake house.
13:17You bought it six months ago.
13:18180 days.
13:21Which day were you too busy to tell me?
13:24The line went completely silent.
13:27You love saying you raised an independent daughter,
13:29but all you did was raise a daughter daughter who learned early that no one was coming to help her.
13:34Mom sounded shaken.
13:35Do you have to make us sound so awful?
13:36We're your family!
13:39When have you ever treated me like family?
13:43I don't need a family like you.
13:47Then I hung up.
13:48Half an hour later, Noah came back, carrying takeout.
13:50He didn't ask any questions.
13:52He opened the containers and set them in front of me.
13:56Soup first, or food?
13:58I looked at him, and tears fell.
14:00It was the first time anyone had asked me what I wanted.
14:04But for 22 years, I had known what everyone else liked.
14:07I had barely thought about what I liked.
14:09Later, when Maya found out about my family, she asked in shock.
14:12They don't celebrate your birthday?
14:13Sometimes they buy a cake, but it's usually Lily's favorite flavor.
14:17She was quiet for a moment, then swore.
14:19On my birthday, they brought a small lemon cake to the apartment rooftop.
14:22Noah came too.
14:23Before I blew out the candles, he handed me a small box.
14:25Inside was a silver bookmark, engraved with,
14:28For the life you choose.
14:29I held it for a long time without speaking.
14:31That night, after everyone else had left,
14:33Noah and I stood at the edge of the rooftop.
14:35The university clock tower rose in the distance, above the wet streetlights.
14:39A gust of wind came through.
14:40He put his jacket over my shoulders.
14:42Why are you so good to me?
14:43Because I see you.
14:44Something in my chest shifted.
14:46A few seconds later, I looked up and kissed him.
14:48His hand rested lightly on my back, like he was afraid I might regret it.
14:51But I wouldn't.
14:53When Ryan called, I hadn't replied to anyone in my family for two months.
14:56The first thing he asked was,
14:58Emma, do you hate us?
14:59I don't hate you.
15:00He seemed to relax.
15:02His voice softened.
15:03Then why won't you come home?
15:04Because I resent you.
15:05There was a long silence.
15:06I used to think you didn't need anything.
15:08You never cried or made a fuss.
15:09You never said anything.
15:11I thought you really didn't care.
15:12I laughed.
15:13I never asked because asking wouldn't have changed anything.
15:16Ryan stopped breathing for a second.
15:18Then he said, his voice dry.
15:20I'm sorry.
15:20A late apology couldn't save who I used to be.
15:23I said nothing.
15:24There was a rustle on the other end.
15:25Dad took the phone.
15:26Emma, come home.
15:27We found you another job near the house.
15:29It's safe and you'll be close to family.
15:31What would I come back for?
15:32He paused.
15:34To wash dishes that never end?
15:35Do housework that never ends?
15:37Watch you all keep revolving around Lily every day?
15:39Dad didn't answer.
15:40I looked out the window and suddenly asked,
15:41Dad, why did you never take me on trips?
15:44I don't like working.
15:45I wanted to go to Paris too.
15:47It was like something hit him.
15:48His voice shook.
15:49Emma, I'm sorry.
15:50I'm sorry.
15:51I hung up.
15:52That night, Lily sent me a long email.
15:54She said she was sorry.
15:56She knew I wanted to travel every summer.
15:57She knew she had damaged my suitcase.
15:59The lake house had been her idea too.
16:01She had asked mom and dad not to tell me yet
16:03because she wanted to pick the room with the lake view first.
16:06She said she always knew it wasn't fair,
16:08but she was too afraid to lose their favoritism.
16:10She hoped I could forgive her.
16:11After I finished reading,
16:13I sat there for a long time.
16:14Then, I blocked everyone in my family.
16:18Six months later,
16:19Noah and I got married at City Hall.
16:20We didn't make a big event of it.
16:22We only invited Maya, Sophie, and Grace.
16:24Grace bought us a bouquet.
16:25Noah was so nervous at the entrance
16:27that he buttoned his shirt wrong.
16:28I couldn't help laughing at him.
16:30He looked down, then laughed too.
16:32I'm nervous.
16:33You get nervous too?
16:34I teased.
16:34Of course.
16:35He took my hand.
16:36I'm marrying my favorite person.
16:38How could I not be nervous?
16:39I squeezed his hand back,
16:40my eyes stinging.
16:41When we left City Hall,
16:43it was still raining lightly.
16:44Noah put his jacket over my shoulders.
16:46Are you cold?
16:47I shook my head.
16:48No.
16:48Then my phone lit up.
16:49A message from an unknown number.
16:51Emma, your mother knows you got married.
16:53Another message came right after.
16:55She called the police.
16:57I stared at the screen and almost laughed.
16:59They were always like this.
17:01If I didn't reply,
17:02I was being ungrateful.
17:04If I left home,
17:05I was throwing a tantrum.
17:06If I got married,
17:08someone had to be controlling me.
17:09They never believed I could choose,
17:12clearly and willingly,
17:14not to have them in my life.
17:15Half an hour later,
17:17the police contacted me.
17:19Hello, Mrs. Witter.
17:20Your family requested a welfare check.
17:22They believe you may be under someone's control.
17:24I thought about it,
17:25then agreed to go in.
17:26After I hung up,
17:27Noah asked,
17:28Are you sure?
17:29This needs to end.
17:30Then I smiled and tightened my grip on his hand.
17:32Besides,
17:33I'm not afraid anymore.
Comments