4/28/22 True Colors

 True Colors

“Lars Mason Alexander Otis, you come here right now!” the boy's mother screamed. Lars quickly ran at the command of his mother, and stood facing her, terrified of her next words. “Did you put this here?” she asks, motioning to a drawing sitting next to a plant on a small side table. The boy nods his head, confirming he was the one who put it there. His mothers angry tone flips to a smile, “It’s beautiful, I love it!”

“Thanks,” Lars says, confused but relieved.

“What is it supposed to be though?” his mother rudely asks. 

Lars, nervous to respond due to his mothers attitude replies, “It’s supposed to the the earth orbiting the sun.”

“Oh that’s wonderful! I see it now,” his mother replies sweetly.

“Can I go back to my room now mommy?” Lars asks, feeling very uncomfortable.

“What, you don’t want to spend a little time with your mother? You are twelve years old, soon you will be an adult and I’ll never see you again! Can’t you at least spend a little time with me while I have you here?!” his mother yells.

Lars stands frozen, trying to hold back tears.

His mother notices his eyes welling up, “Oh baby I’m sorry did I scare you?”

“Yes,” he murmurs.

“Well then toughen up! People in the world ain’t gonna be half as nice as I am.”

Lars had never seen his mother behave like this, normally she was just an average loving mom. He was scared of her now, the woman before him did not seem like his mother. He didn’t know what to do or how to respond.

His thoughts were cut short as his father walked through the front door. Seeing the two standing silently in the living room he asks, “What’s up guys?”

“Oh Lars was just showing me his drawing, isn’t it great!” his mother says, grabbing the picture and handing it to her husband.

He looks down at the drawing, “Yeah this is great, good job son!” he says looking at Lars. He notices the look of fear and the tears building in his son’s eyes. “Is everything alright bud?”

Lars looks back and forth between his mother and father. He can see the look in his mothers eyes telling him to keep quiet. He stands there, silently, unsure of what to do.

“Oh he’s probably just a little embarrassed of his artwork,” his mother chimes in.

Lars' father doesn’t quite buy his wife’s response. “Hey, how about you go grab your jacket, let’s celebrate this masterpiece with some ice cream!” he says, trying to act like nothing's wrong.

“Oh that sounds great, I’ll go get mine too,” Lars' mother says sweetly.

“Actually honey, I was thinking of making this a father son thing, you know?” 

Lar’s mother’s eyes fill with rage, noticed by both Lars and his dad. “First our son doesn’t want to spend any time with me, and now you don’t either? I WON’T LET YOU TAKE HIM FROM ME!”

Lar’s father jumps in front of him and pushes his mother to the floor. He quickly scoops up his son, and runs to his car. He practically throws Lars into the passenger seat before getting in and starting up the car. The woman sprints towards the car but Lar’s father pulls out fast and speeds away. 

Lars sits in the car, eyes permanently held open, his breaths heavy.

“I’m so sorry son,” his dad says empathetically. They drive away, leaving Lar’s mother behind, wondering what made her like this, but not curious enough to turn back. 

The End

4/28/22