Unseen Forces
Fourteen-year-old Sean slammed his bedroom door in his mother’s face. From inside, he heard her gasp and then cry. He leaned back against the door and drew deep breaths, slowing his heart and rage. After the yelling stopped, he always regretted it. In the moment, he couldn’t stop. She was so vulnerable, shaking as he shouted and waved a fist; he felt powerful against restraint, against her. Now, he hated himself.
“Mom,” he said through the door.
Her voice was small but clear. “I’m here.”
She was always there, no matter how badly he treated her. “I’ll clean my room.”
Friday Fictioneers: 100-word stories
photo prompt: Dale Rogerson
Muninn's Memories 
April 12, 2017 at 11:57 am
Great writing about a mothers loved, but. He needs to grow up fast, or he will be a danger to those he loves
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April 12, 2017 at 12:00 pm
Thank you for reading, Michael. I had him at sixteen initially and knocked off two years with that same idea. I was trying to give him a chance to deal with the testosterone. 🙂
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April 12, 2017 at 2:14 pm
My daughter was the door slammer in her teens. I had one son who’d leave home for awhile so he could cool off. The other boy was just mouthy. Fortunately, they all grew up. Good thing my wife let them live.
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April 12, 2017 at 3:13 pm
Thanks for your comments, James, and for reading.
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April 12, 2017 at 3:03 pm
played out in lots of homes i fear
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April 12, 2017 at 3:13 pm
No doubt. Thank you for visiting.
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April 12, 2017 at 4:27 pm
I wonder if his dad is violent towards his mum too? I enjoyed this very thought provoking
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April 12, 2017 at 6:04 pm
I wondered if his dad was around at all and/or if there were other pressures driving him. I’m not sure from this scene. I’d have to write more to find out. Thank you for reading and leaving a comment.
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April 13, 2017 at 7:11 am
They say I guess that behavior like that is taught… and even though it’s never an excuse… esp at such a young age too!
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April 12, 2017 at 6:38 pm
I like that he feels guilty, lets hope he learns quickly before is an adult.
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April 12, 2017 at 7:28 pm
Hi. Thanks for visiting and reading.
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April 12, 2017 at 9:28 pm
Good scene-setting. I agree with other comments: he’d better learn to care about other people’s feelings. Otherwise he’s headed for divorce court or restraining orders before he’s even attached. He feels guilty; that’s a start.
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April 13, 2017 at 6:50 am
Thank you.
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April 12, 2017 at 11:07 pm
I liked this take on a child’s anger against a parent. Growing up, I would also slam the doors; however, it didn’t end too well for me…
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April 13, 2017 at 6:51 am
I would slam it, but not in my mom’s face. That wouldn’t have gone over very well. Thanks for commenting.
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April 13, 2017 at 5:35 am
It’s what mothers do – they are always there. Great writing.
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April 13, 2017 at 6:49 am
Thank you.
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April 13, 2017 at 8:12 am
Very real. I hope he gets a handle on his temper. It’s the way he feels in the heat of it which worries me…
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April 13, 2017 at 8:31 am
Yes, exactly. Thank you for commenting.
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April 13, 2017 at 4:35 pm
Loved that she remained on the other side of the door. Nicely done.
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April 13, 2017 at 5:03 pm
Thank you.
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April 13, 2017 at 5:58 pm
Oh that is so close to home…
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April 13, 2017 at 6:39 pm
🙂 Thank you for stopping by, Dale.
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April 14, 2017 at 5:40 am
I think we’ve all said things to our mothers that we quickly regret. I know I’m guilty. But there was nothing that made me feel worse than my mother’s tears. You captured this perfectly.
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April 14, 2017 at 6:59 am
Thank you, Russell.
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April 14, 2017 at 12:23 pm
So sad. The boy is struggling with himself (and his hormones) and his mother is wonderfully patient.
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April 14, 2017 at 2:05 pm
Thank you for reading.
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April 15, 2017 at 2:54 am
Sounds like a spoilt brat but I think his mother knows how to deal with it and he’ll come to realise how much he loves her and turn out all right in the end.
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April 15, 2017 at 7:15 am
Thank you for leaving a comment.
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April 15, 2017 at 4:29 am
As the mom of a teenager, I feel for the mom here. I hope he can grow up and get a handle on his anger.
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April 15, 2017 at 7:14 am
Thanks for reading.
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April 15, 2017 at 1:43 pm
Oh, you caught teenager anger very well. And I like how he realizes that Mom is always there…..
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April 15, 2017 at 3:17 pm
Thank you.
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April 18, 2017 at 5:48 am
Aw! Lovely story. Emotions are captured so well. Wow!
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April 18, 2017 at 6:32 am
Thank you. That’s good to hear. I struggle with showing emotion. 🙂
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April 18, 2017 at 10:04 am
Great job!
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