Nora Allen

[haveagoodheart]

"Hello, you've reached Nora Allen. I'm not able to answer my device right now. But please leave a message and I'll return your call. Okay, Barry, how do I--"

Comments

4/5

[vivifier]

Are you going to the Expo?

[haveagoodheart]

The Expo?

[vivifier]

They've been talking about it on the network. The Expo Galaxia. I guess it's like the world's fair back home.

[haveagoodheart]

I guess it wouldn't hurt to go see what it's about. Are you all going?

audio: 4/6 - sometime around 1 PM

[girl_bye]

[ It seriously, honestly, no bullshit took Bethany Allen two days to get up the guts to call one Nora Allen. It was likely this was a bad idea. A terrible, stupid idea. She was known to make those from time to time. For all she knew, this lady just shared her mothers name and she was about to make life really, really uncomfortable for someone.

But she had to know. So she leaves a voicemail. A very awkward, partially stuttered out voicemail because how exactly does one ask someone if they're her mother? ]

So...uh...you don't...you probably...

oh, god damn it. [ Pause. ] Sorry! Wow, that was uncalled for.


Ugh...Hi. My name is Bethany and...you know, trying to not make this weird, but there's no real way to do this without making it weird? So I'm just gonna ask.

See, you share a name with my mother, but she died when I was a kid. And honestly, the likelihood that you're her? Slim to none. Not to mention, there's this whole multiverse thing where I'm a guy named Barry...

[ Another pause and a sigh. Bethany has managed to annoy herself. ]


Sorry...you know what? This was stupid. You're probably not the Nora Allen I know, but if you are, and if you happened to be married to a great guy named Henry who would never once...sorry.

If you're her, and you per chance had a daughter, or even a son named Barry because like I said...there's a multiverse out there and in a few universes I'm a guy named Barry...call me back.

Or...I mean, if you don't want to, that's fine. I won't bother you again...

...have a nice day, Miss Allen. Or...Mrs...

[ HANGING UP! ]

[haveagoodheart]

[She's very surprised when she gets the voicemail. Nora listens to it all the way through. She calls the poor girl back, hoping that she would answer. Savitar and Barry had explained the multiverse to her. As did the one called Adorabarry and even Cisco and Leonard. A girl. As the line rings, she wonders. A girl.]

[girl_bye]

[ She is quick to answer, her voice nervous and shaking but she answers. This woman called her back and there are a million ways this conversation can go. She’s not prepared for any of them. But she’s gonna damn well try. ]

Hello? This is Bethany.

[haveagoodheart]

Bethany. It's Nora. Nora Allen. I got your voicemail.

[This isn't a conversation to be had over the phone or whatever this thing served as.]

Would you like to come over for a cup of coffee?

[girl_bye]

Craziest voicemail ever, right?

[ Oh god someone shut her up. She closes her eyes a moment and refocuses herself before answering. ]

Yeah. Yeah, I’d like that. Uh. When?

[haveagoodheart]

I'm free at the moment. My collection's a little bare but I think I can make something up for us to talk over.

[girl_bye]

Okay. And I can pick stuff up. Like...food stuff. Is there anything you like?
Admittedlyl, this is also a food run for me? I eat often and a lot. But I wanted to get something for you, too.

[haveagoodheart]

Just yourself and whatever you'd like.

[girl_bye]

Alright. And what's your address?

[haveagoodheart]

[She sends the address of her own yurt]

[girl_bye]

Thank you.

[ And it’s about ten minutes before she shows up. Speedster that she is, she had to take her time. Really try to think through what she was going to say or do. She had no clue, not even when she finally reached the door and rang the doorbell. But, ring ring. She’s there. ]

[haveagoodheart]

[she opens the door and looks at her]

Bethany?

[girl_bye]

[ Bethany can’t answer, simply stare at Nora in disbelief. This really was her mom. At least, that's who she looked like. Her mother. And it's so shocking that all she can do is nod in response. Yep. She's Bethany. If it helps Nora understand or at least guess which universe she's from, she looks more like Adorable Barry than the others. ]

[haveagoodheart]

Oh sweetheart.

[she brings the girl into a tight hug]

[girl_bye]

Oh.

[ She is surprised by the hug, but she doesn't resist it. Truth is, she likes tactile displays of affection. Hugs are some of her favorites. So she hugs back after a very brief pause, grinning from ear to ear. ]

Was I right? Are you mom to one of the B. Allen's in town?

[haveagoodheart]

Yes, one of the Barry Allens here. Well, he’s about five back home when I’m from. Come in.

[she moves out of the way for her to walk in]

[girl_bye]

[ Bethany steps inside the yurt, taking a look around for a moment before turning to face Nora with a small smile on her face. ]

So, this must be pretty trippy for you. Having all these Allen kids around, I mean.

[haveagoodheart]

Henry and I always talked about maybe having more kids after Barry. Here, I have so many of you. Barry, Savitar, the other Barry, so far. And now...you're telling me that I have a daughter instead of a son?

[girl_bye]

In another universe, yep. You have a girl who starts ballet at age three but also really loves being a tomboy. I once tore a hole in my tutu after playing in the back yard and I was so worried you'd be upset that I tried flushing it down the toilet. You laughed. I think you were too amused to be mad.

[haveagoodheart]

That sounds about right.

[She looks her over and hugs her tightly again]

I'm starting to wonder if this place just collects Barry Allens across the multiverse.

4/17

[old_school]

Thank you.

[Nothing more, but he hopes she'll understand. Nora saw him at his worst and had been far kinder than anyone he had known.]