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“How do you think you are different because your dad and I got divorced? ”

Anand Hernandez doesn’t get much one-on-one time with his mom, Sarah Avant.

Sarah divorced Anand’s father in 2009, and her attention is usually divided among Anand and his younger siblings.

But when they got to spend a special week together, just the two of them, they decided to record an interview at StoryCorps.

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Recorded in Tri-Cities, WA.

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Music Info: "1986" by Fredrik from the album Na Na Ni.

Credits

Produced by Jasmyn Belcher.

Facilitated by Erin Dickey.

Transcript

Click here to read the transcript for this story.

Interview transcript

Sarah Avant (SA): How do you think you are different because your dad and I got divorced?

Anand Hernandez (AH): Well, I'm hoping to recover from the time of just stress. There was a lot of yelling around the house between you and Dad. And, I'm not happy that you guys are divorced, but I mean, I guess there's kind of a convenience there, because I remember feeling really like, [sighs] I don't want to make somebody look like a favorite. Now I spend one week with Dad, one week with you.

SA: And how do you think that will affect you in the long run?

AH: [Sighs] I don't know. I mean I don't see a life as a criminal. I mean, I just don't want to be one.

I guess after you guys got divorced, you know it was hard, but it was just a lot better. Fifth grade was a lot better this year too, so I'm hoping sixth grade to be the diamond year and to be perfect.

SA: So do you think the hard time that you had in school had a lot to do with what the environment was like at home--that we fought a lot?

AH: Yeah. I mean, I'm not trying to say, "Oh, it's all your guys' fault." But I definitely think that was a lot of the influence.

SA: And so what do you think it would be like to be in a family if I got married again?

AH: I want you to get married, you know, because you're not getting any younger.

SA: Thanks. [Laughs]

AH: Well I'm just saying. But then again, I don't know, it would be kind of weird. I mean, no offense, but it's already hard enough dealing with you, so, having a stepdad to worry about, that would be harder.

SA: What do you mean when you say worry about?

AH: Well, I mean, I have to worry about [if] I'm meeting up to your standards.

SA: Well, I don't want you to always feel like you have to make me happy.

AH: Yeah.

SA: So if I were to remarry, what do you think the ideal situation would be like for you?

AH: Well I know this wouldn't happen, but you getting remarried with Dad. But if it were to be somebody else than Dad--the ideal situation you being happy.

SA: If you had one thing that you want me to remember forever, what would it be?

AH: After spending the week with you and just you--probably this week. It would be really awesome if you could remember that.

SA: Well I've had a nice time with you this week. And it's been nice to be reminded that you are such a great kid.