The Things We Do
The Things We Do
“It’s 10 pm, do you know where your children are?”
Flash Fiction
“It’s 10 pm, do you know where your children are?”
Lisa creeps to her house through the back door. It’s been a long night with her friends and CJ as she tiptoes slowly through the kitchen in her low-cut shirt and tribal and floral print pants heading towards her room.
“You’re up late,” her Mother says.
Busted. She scrunches her nose and rolls her eyes as she sighs. “How long have you been up?”
“I never went to sleep.” Her mother sits in the corner chair of their living room reading a book. “Where were you?”
“Out.” Lisa shrugs.
“With who?”
“My friends, Mom.”
“Why didn’t you tell me where you were going?”
She sighs and grabs her forehead. “Because I knew you would do this.”
“Do what?”
“This! Right now, this is what you do!”
“And what am I doing?”
She sulks in her anger and says nothing beaten by her own Mother.
“You know why I do this? Because I love you. Were you with that boy?” she asks curtly.
“Yes, Mom. CJ, OK? He has a name.”
“I don’t like him,” she says annoyed.
Dropping her arms at her sides, “I know. The whole world knows!”
“OK, whatever you did, happened. But you will not be allowed out with him again.”
“Why not?”
“Because he only wants one thing.”
“You don’t know him, Mom! You never want to know who my friends are! You love me? You don’t even ask about my life. You don’t care!”
“He doesn’t clean his car and his hair is always a mess,” she says defiantly.
“That’s what you care about? That’s so lame!” She chuckles and shakes her head.
“I have my reasons, but I care, Lisa.”
“No, you don’t, stop saying that.”
“Yes, I do.”
“No, you don’t! I hate you!”
“Lisa Anne, you are grounded.”
“Why? Because I insulted you? Because I stood up for myself! Maybe you should do that, Mom, and maybe Dad wouldn’t have left!” It’s a low blow and she knows it.
Her Mother hesitates, “That was hurtful. You know better.” Her eyes glaze over as she takes a breath. “You won’t see him ever again. And your friends too. You’re grounded for a week,” she says through her teeth.
Lisa starts to cry but eats it. “No, No, I’m not! I’m sixteen years old! I’m not a little kid anymore. You think I’m this little girl, Mom, but I’m not. I’m… I’m older.”
“I don’t wanna talk about this anymore. Go to bed,” she says angrily.
“Why?” She whimpers with tears in her eyes. “Why don’t you wanna talk about this? Because you’re… you’re scared?” She walks to her mother. “Mom, I… why do we do this?”
Her mother faces the wall and her pride makes a crust around her heart. She hesitates, “I don’t know, honey. I…”
“Mom,” she crouches down. “I’m-I’m sorry.” Tears stream down her face. Her Mother nods and embraces her.
“I’m sorry too!” She lets out a great sob and Lisa rubs her back. Lisa cries silently and holds her Mother who carried and bore her.
“I hate when we do this.”
“Me too, honey,” she says wiping her eyes. “I’m sorry, I- I just don’t wanna lose you, you know?”
“You’re not gonna lose me. I’m right here.” She is growing up as she speaks.
“I like your friends but… I see your father in him.”
“Mom, he’s not…” Lisa bows her head. “Just give ’em a chance.”
She nods looking afar out the window.
“OK. I think I can do that.” She smiles warmly and hugs her again. “Just tell ’em to get a fuckin’ haircut.”
They both roar with laughter. “It’s hideous,” her Mother says. Lisa laughs again and is kissed on the forehead by her. “Goodnight, honey.”
“Goodnight, Mom.” Heading upstairs, she lies in bed thinking of CJ and his warm smile and contagious joyful laugh. She thinks his laugh is more like Mom’s than any she has ever heard.
Check out my other stories…
Judge, Jury, and Executioner
Pride is the Root of All Evilmedium.com
Over the Tracks
Down Near the Woodsmedium.com