Tessa’s Changing Relationship with Her Mother

After We Collided

Tessa’s conflict with Mrs. White reveals the cost of living by another person’s expectations and helps Tessa claim authority over her own choices.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Childhood Under Judgment A Childhood Under Judgment from "After We Collided". A Childhood Under Judgment Order without comfort Tessa’s mother values appearance, security, and control, while Tessa grows up with little room to make…

A Childhood Under Judgment from "After We Collided". A Childhood Under Judgment Order without comfort Tessa’s mother values appearance, security, and control, while Tessa grows up with little room to make…

A Childhood Under Judgment Order without comfort Tessa’s mother values appearance, security, and control, while Tessa grows up with little room to make mistakes. A distant relationship Tessa learns to seek approval but not necessarily understanding. That pattern follows her into college and complicates her decisions about love.

A Failed Return A Failed Return from "After We Collided". A Failed Return Seeking maternal comfort Tessa returns home after the breakup but is criticized for her choices and urged to reconcile with Noah.

A Failed Return from "After We Collided". A Failed Return Seeking maternal comfort Tessa returns home after the breakup but is criticized for her choices and urged to reconcile with Noah.

A Failed Return Seeking maternal comfort Tessa returns home after the breakup but is criticized for her choices and urged to reconcile with Noah. Independence begins Instead of finding refuge, she sees that her mother’s advice is rooted in her own view of stability. Tessa refuses to resume a relationship she does not want.

The Father’s Return The Father’s Return from "After We Collided". The Father’s Return Information withheld Tessa learns that her estranged father has returned to Washington after her mother has already dealt with him…

The Father’s Return from "After We Collided". The Father’s Return Information withheld Tessa learns that her estranged father has returned to Washington after her mother has already dealt with him…

The Father’s Return Information withheld Tessa learns that her estranged father has returned to Washington after her mother has already dealt with him privately. Anger at exclusion Tessa wants the right to decide whether she will see him. The revelation forces her to confront a family past separate from Hardin.

The Christmas Eve Intrusion The Christmas Eve Intrusion from "After We Collided". The Christmas Eve Intrusion A mother enters uninvited Mrs.

The Christmas Eve Intrusion A mother enters uninvited Mrs. White arrives at Hardin’s apartment and demands that Tessa leave, condemning Hardin and exposing the bet to Trish. Tessa asserts adulthood Tessa refuses to be ordered away and tells her mother she will make her own choice, even while the argument deepens their estrangement.

A Boundary Without Reconciliation

A Boundary Without Reconciliation Distance is chosen Tessa stops answering her mother’s calls and turns toward work, friends, and plans for Seattle. The wound remains She wants a caring mother but recognizes that contact cannot be repaired by pretending the old pattern did not exist.

Before Tessa leaves for WCU

After the bet is exposed

During Christmas break

Christmas Eve

After the Christmas confrontation