When Your Mother Doesn't Novels & Stories

Don’t Say My Name My mother’s voice came from upstairs. “Lena?” Soft. Frightened. Close enough to hurt. Every warning I had been given slammed into me at once. Maggie’s voice. Corey’s message. If you hear your mother’s voice upstairs, don’t answer. My mother was in the hospital. My mother was in the hospital. My mother was in the hospital. I knew that. My body did not care. It took one step toward the open door.

What Mother’s saying is right, but the words are like puzzle pieces that should fit, but bend when you try to force them together. She thinks I don’t notice, or she’s too drunk to care if I do. I don’t think I’m exactly what they made me to be. I’m not what I thought I was. And I have places I need to go. Things I need to do. Elsewhere. I stand, and Mother startles, her drink sloshing but not overflowing the rim. “It’s getting late,” I mumble. Mother narrows her unfocused eyes, and I can tell that although she’s wasted, she’s not so far gone that she can’t tell there’s something wrong. “You didn’t bite the Bog trash, did you?”

"Have you forgotten when you were ten years old, she locked us both in the basement for three days without food or water? "Did you forget how you cried and screamed for Mom? Yet, now you're wearing the clothes Elena bought you and helping Sofia go against me! Have you even forgotten how Mom died?" The death of my mother, Caterina Prodi, was no accident. Instead, Elena set her up, ruined her reputation within the family, and drove her to a point of no return. I had told Ettore this countless times, but he had long been bewitched by Elena and Sofia, so he could no longer remember.

Mokunfayo Badmus: You are not their mother, You are not my mother, You're not a mother, You can never be a mother… Weeks after the altercation with both Mike and my nephew, those words they'd left in wake of their cruelty still haunted me in both my sleep, my subconscious and even my wide-eyed consciousness.

Facing my lifeless body on the floor, it let out a harsh buzzing sound, saying, "Failed! No effort detected. Failed!" Only when the phone's final trace of battery drained did it suddenly fall silent with a soft click. My head rolled and struck the corner of the desk. A workbook that had been lying on the table slipped off and landed at my mom's feet. She lowered her head. The pages were filled with writing. [Mom, I really did try my best. I told you so many times… If there is another life, will you forgive me?] "Erwin!" my mom screamed. She collapsed onto the floor, shaking her head desperately as tears streamed down her face.

"Impudent!" I fell to the floor, staring up at Audrey's cold face. My heart was full of despair. "Why did you even give birth to me, Mom?" For the first time, I called her that. "You should've just let me die…"

Despite her years on earth, Mom lost all reason and turned against me, her daughter, for a man. “You’ll be sorry if anything happens to Bryan!” She cocked her head back and yelled at me. I could barely recognize Mom with the menacing look on her face. “Mom! Are you sure he loves you? Why did he hit on me then?” I yelled back, finding it hard to breathe. “You’re just jealous that I stole your crush. You’re young. Time is on your side to find someone new, but it’s not often I get to find love again.” Mom held Bryan in her arms, her heart going out to him.

“Jonathan, I was wrong. I really know that now. Could you forgive me this time? “My mother’s old. She can’t handle any more stress. Besides, I already lost my job. If this keeps going, my family and I will be done for. “Could you speak up for me and my mother online? Jonathan, I’m begging you.” I was indifferent. “What does this have to do with me? You and your mother caused this trouble.” Amelia was upset with my indifferent treatment toward her. She stepped closer and anxiously said, “Jonathan, how could you say that? We’re supposed to spend our lives together.”

"Are you really going to watch your mother die?" The longer she talked, the steadier she became. Six years of marriage had taught her exactly where my weakness was. She was right. If my mother hadn't died on that operating table, I might have given in. However, she had thrown away the only leverage she had. I drove my foot into Diana's stomach. She slammed into the TV with a loud crash. "My mother's condition no longer matters to me. "All I want now is your life." I raised the knife and stepped toward her.

"Mrs. Thompson, look at my son! Your deranged daughter did this to him!" My ears perked up, and I instantly recognized it as Billy the Bully's mother, Mama Bully. She used to complain all the time. Every time, Mom would stand up for me and drive her off with a scolding. I covered my mouth and giggled, drifting out to see how long it would take before Mom chased her away again. "That goddamn child! I'm so sorry, truly," Mom said, her face awfully grim. "I know it must be Willow's fault. Don't worry, I'll make her apologize to your son soon."