Me – Mum, I have something to tell you, and I want you to understand first of all, that I am happy and I am safe.
Mum – What's wrong? You are pregnant?
Me – No, do you remember when I told you that I was doing webcam and you asked me if it was safe and I said yes and you asked me if I was seeing people also and I said no?
Mum – Of course I remember.
Me – I am seeing people now, I am doing escort work. Please ask me anything you want or say anything you need, you are not going to offend me, I am not going to think that you are against me.
Mum – (silent)
Me – please just take everything out of your chest or if you need time to think I can call you another time.
Mum – How much do you charge?
Me - ?????? £120 per hour…
Mum – That's not much.
I laugh
Mum – Are you doing it at home? Hotels?
Me – Not at home and sometimes I go to their places
Mum – Good that is not at home, some people are crazy and we both know it.
Is it legal in England? Can you be arrested?
Me – well, yes and no
Mum – what kind of answer is that?
Me – I can't work with someone in the same premises, or on the street or have someone to check in and out
Mum – It doesn't sound very safe to me Melina.
Me – I have support. I have people who support me and we all have breakfast together on Wednesday
My mum laughs
Mum – that reminds me my feminist group on high school, we also used to have breakfast on Wednesdays
We laugh together
Me – How do you feel?
Mum – I don't know Melina, I only want the best for you and I am not sure that is the best for you.
Me – I like it.
Mum – I understand that.
Mum – Do you think I am a bad mother if I don't try to convince you to get out?
Me – No, I don't. I have that pressure already stigma wise, it would be nice if I could have your support
Mum – I will never forgive myself if something happens to you.
Me – My life is mine mum, there is nothing you can do now.
Mum – I know and I know that telling you to stop it would probably have the opposite effect on you.
Me – Yes, and it would make me extremely sad.
Mum – one more question. Are you using drugs
Me – No, I am not.
Mum – Can we talk about this another time, if I have more questions?
Me – Whenever you want.
