Becoming Brooklin

By Lexi Parra

Lexi Parra

Team Eppridge

STORY SUMMARY

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Driving down a country back road, with Taylor Swift’s song “22” blasting and the rhythmic calls from the backseat “Mama, mama…”

This is Brooklin’s life. At 14, she gave birth to her daughter Brileigh Faith. Her life is vastly different from most teens in the town of Excelsior Springs; it is defined by coordinating drop offs, online school, night shifts at the Olive Garden, and - most importantly - spending quality time with her young daughter.

“There aren’t a lot of teen moms around here. But, my mom had me at 14 so I guess, in my family it’s kind of normal. Some people might think it’s crazy, but it’s just my life.” As she raises Brileigh, Brooklin has had to make difficult decisions. She rarely sees her mother who Brooklin says has a history of alcohol abuse and a revolving door of boyfriends. “You need to be really careful with who you have around your kid. I don’t want Brileigh to be around all of that.”

Brooklin’s dad, however, beams with pride when he talks about his daughter’s journey. “A kid raising a kid…I know how that sounds, but she’s a really good mother.” At the end of the day, that is Brooklin’s first priority.

She works long night shifts as a line cook -- she is too young to be a server, and a busser’s pay wasn’t enough to live on -- in order to give her daughter what she needs, as well as special memories like winter wonderland-themed parties and road trips to bigger, neighboring cities. While Brooklin hopes to study psychology in the future, she is focused on raising a happy, smart girl who knows her mama loves her. She is becoming Brooklin, each and every day.

Brooklin and Brileigh walk down the stairs to their bedroom in Brooklin’s father’s home in Excelsior Springs, Mo.

Brooklin puts on mascara in the kitchen of her father’s home. After an extra day shift at Olive Garden she gets ready to take Brileigh out for dinner at a nearby Arby’s in Excelsior Springs.

Brileigh grabs at one of her mom’s false eyelashes as Brooklin is getting ready for the day. Brileigh often tries to copy her mom, showing interest in things like makeup and shopping.

Brooklin does Brileigh’s hair on the living room floor. Brooklin’s 4-year-old brother, Jackson, sits next to them. Brooklin helped raise Jackson when he was a baby. Jackson and Brileigh enjoy playing together at home in Excelsior Springs.

Brooklin puts on Brileigh’s shoes. Brooklin says she likes to buy her daughter cute outfits and take pictures on their outings.

Brooklin folds laundry at home as Brileigh eats a snack. She is preparing an overnight bag for Brileigh, who is going to stay with her paternal great-grandma.

Brooklin holds Brileigh’s hand as they walk down the steps of her father’s home to go to the park.

Brooklin looks to cross an intersection while driving Brileigh to the park. Brooklin bought and paid off the car on her own.

Brooklin and Brileigh head to dinner. On the other side of the street, two neighborhood girls play with their cat in Excelsior Springs.

Brooklin prepares an order at Olive Garden, where she is a line cook. She commutes to the job in a strip mall in the neighboring town of Liberty every weeknight, pulling double shifts on Sundays.

Brooklin holds Brileigh on the trampoline in their backyard. They enjoy some time outside before the hour-long drive to drop Brileigh off with a family member.

Brian Kratzer, Co-Director

Alyssa Schukar, Co-Director

Hany Hawasly, Technical Director

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