In the family chat, it’s always Mom who speaks
Every time the family chat pings, Mom’s words fill the screen first. Why do my fingers keep stopping when I try to reply?
In the family chat, Seoyeon swallowed her own words as Mom’s took over. In the counseling room, she looks back at that moment on the screen.
One evening, Mom announces in the family chat that she’s made plans for Seoyeon’s weekend. Seoyeon sees the notification but can’t reply. The next day, she brings it up with Dalbit in the counseling room. Dalbit revisits the moment Seoyeon tried to speak, then stopped. Seoyeon’s story isn’t over yet.
When you can’t get a word in with your family
When the family conversation moves ahead, you can notice where the words you meant to say got stuck.
What did you want to say to your family but never got around to saying?
The moment Mom posted her weekend plans in the family chat and I stopped halfway through a reply has stayed with me. As the family conversation went on, I couldn’t find a way to bring up what I wanted to say. If you’ve had a moment like that, you’re welcome to share the words you couldn’t say then.
Scenes
- 01 · The Night the Plans Appeared A Weekend Already Decided — Mom posts Seoyeon’s weekend visit plans in the family chat first. Seoyeon looks down at her phone from the sofa. Mom: Seoyeon’s coming home this weekend.
- 02 · The Cursor in the Reply Box Half a Reply — Seoyeon types, “This weekend won’t work for me,” then stops. Mom leaves the living room.
- 03 · The Counseling Room the Next Day Bringing It Up — The next day in the counseling room, Seoyeon says Mom decided her weekend plans and posted them in the family chat. Seoyeon: Mom decided my weekend plans and posted them in the family chat. Dalbit: Seoyeon, how far had you gotten with the reply you were writing when that notification appeared?
- 04 · A Weekend Caught in Her Words Words Still Left Unsaid — Seoyeon says she couldn’t bring herself to say what she wanted to tell Mom. Dalbit waits for her to continue. Seoyeon: I just… wanted to say which day I wanted to go. Dalbit: How has it stayed with you, that moment when you started writing those words and stopped?
Stories by Dalbit
- Dalbit
- When the elevator doors close, I want a moment alone.
- After I take a photo, I only look for my old face.
- Friday evening, feeling low for no reason
- When I see my reflection in the subway window, I have even less to say to my husband.
- On Friday evening, I was left alone in a room with the light on.
- After saying you’re okay on your first day
- I get asked for favors every lunch break
- There’s someone you think of when you’re sick, but on payday, you hesitate.