The Heartwood i'm having a breakdown, drinking at a playground; tequila for one

The other was quick to the point; she asks if she knows Electra, to which she immediately responds without thinking, No.  There's something sharp and familiar about the other girl's face, but she can't place it.  She stiffens as if she's threatened by the rise of this feeling.  The name of her birth mother is quickly tossed out and it visibly catches her for a second, her steely gaze rendered helpless as memories from her childhood threaten to overload her senses.  Yeah, she confirms, lost for breath Um, . . .  

Uncharacteristically thrown off, her brow furrows as she focuses on staying upright, keeping her knees from buckling.  That's my mom, she reveals, straightening back up and steeling herself as if none of this had happened.  Why?