Callie questions her son about his grades, and he answers with the normal disobedience of a teenager. Callie, determined to have the last say, grounds Jason and forbids him from going on their date. Instead, Jason chooses to ground his mother.
I won’t go into detail about how difficult it is to be a single parent. It’s a whole other ballgame to be parenting a 16-year-old child who is disobedient and opinionated.
Recently, my son Jason has been bothering me a lot, especially with his academics.
I expected him to attempt to maintain his grades at the very least—as a mother trying to make ends meet while working two jobs.
Rather, I found a hitherto unknown aspect of my son.
I said to Jason, “We need to talk about your grades,” while I was getting supper ready. “You can’t keep putting off your education in this manner.”
I usually attempted to have a quick supper with my kid before heading out, even though I had a restricted amount of time due to my impending night work at the laundry.
“I’m attempting, Mom,” he moaned. “You simply don’t understand me. You have a problem with it. Give it to me to manage. In addition, I’m doing OK.
“No, you’re not,” I firmly stated.
And it was true—in an effort to get parents more involved in their kids’ education, the school had taken to emailing pupils’ grades, emphasizing the very low ones.
“And you’re not leaving until I see some progress. So, tonight’s date with Kelsey is cancelled. I mean it.
Jason’s jaw was fixed in a manner that made me think of his father right before he lost his cool. He scowled at me.
That is really unjust! You cannot control my life in this manner. Look for another activity to keep you busy.
“I am your mother,” I firmly said. “I control the course of your life. And I’ll use it.
With a smash of the door, he went off to his room.
I let out a sigh and felt my temples. I had a different plan for my evening before work than this. My intention was to prepare dinner and have a meal with my kid.
On my way out, I intended to get a cup of coffee, dress for work, and take a nice shower.
I didn’t mean to get into a fight with my son about something he ought to be doing anyhow.
“He needs to change his attitude,” I said as I grated some cheese.
Jason arrived after a little while, with a rather contrite expression. I looked up at him, intrigued at this abrupt shift, and switched off the burner.
“I believe the basement faucet is leaking once more, Mom.” With a casual tone, he asked, “Can you check it out?”
His abrupt shift in attitude surprised me. The irate youngster from earlier—where was she?
But Jason did spend a lot of time in the basement, which we had turned into his hangout.
Yes, honey, I said. “I’ll check it right now. It merely requires a fast repair, I’m sure.
I heard the door slam behind me as soon as I walked in. It was already too late when I hurried back up the steps.
The door was secured with a lock.
“Jason!” I yelled as I pounded on the door. “Open this door immediately!”
He phoned back from the other end, sounding everything but sorry. “Sorry, Mom.” I’m heading out on a date. Kelsey and I are excited about it. I’ll return later.
I was stunned.
I had been tricked by my own kid and imprisoned in the basement!
I felt around for my phone in my pockets, but nothing was there. I had seen it on the kitchen counter as I was making sure I had enough time before work.
I exclaimed aloud, “This isn’t the boy I raised.” Furthermore, he won’t get away with this.
I turned to look around and saw a stool in the corner. Although I knew it wouldn’t be simple, I knew that if I stood on it and extended my arm high enough, I could squeeze through the window that was close to the ceiling.
“This boy will be grounded for eternity,” I sucked in my gut and squeaked out, my teeth strained.
After getting outdoors, I quickly got dressed and went to get my phone.
I could only impart a lesson on Jason that he would never forget with the aid of one person. That was my mother, the one lady above all others that he was afraid of.
“Mom, you’re not going to believe what Jason did,” I began, attempting to steady my trembling hands as I related the whole story.
Her voice was strong as she continued, “Don’t worry, Callie.” “I am quite aware of what to do. Come get me, and let’s head to his date.
My mother and I went to the café together. I spotted Jason at a table with his date as soon as we went in. They were laughing and had no idea what was about to happen.
My mother marched straight up to my kid, her expression inscrutable. His eyes became wide with fear the instant he laid eyes on her.
“Grandma? Why are you in this place? He began to get up with a stutter.
However, my mother remained silent. I watched terror take hold as Jason tried to get away from the table.
I made a hasty attempt to shut the door, keeping him inside like he had done to me.
With my arms crossed, I answered, “Not so fast, young man.”
His date, on the other hand, saw the entire show with a mixture of shock and enjoyment.
“What is going on? Jason? What is happening? She questioned, looking from my mother to my kid and trying not to laugh.
Jason is a little child who struggled to accept his mother’s reality. Dear, are you truly interested in dating someone who doesn’t give a damn about their grades? or the one who kept his mother confined in the basement?
When Kelsey saw that Jason wasn’t as kind as he appeared to be, her eyes grew wide.
She remarked, “It looks like you have some family matters to settle.” “Maybe you ought to give your studies more attention.”
She then snatched up her purse and headed out.
Confronted, Jason attempted to convince my mother.
“Please, Grandma,” he said hesitantly. “I apologize. I apologize sincerely. I didn’t mean it, Mom.
With a frigid voice, she added, “Sorry isn’t enough.” “I intend to stay with you. We’ll also raise your academic standing.
My mother kept a careful eye on Jason back at home to make sure he was studying for his impending exams.
She was unyielding, not simply strict.
He came in the next morning as I was in the kitchen preparing tea.
Jason paused at the threshold, then moved slowly to the table and took a seat across from me.
With his voice almost heard, he said, “Mom.” “I must speak with you.”
How about it, Jason? I enquired.
With a deep breath, my son rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably.
“I sincerely apologize for what I did. You were locked in the basement, which was stupid and wrong.
I let him go despite feeling a mixture of relief and rage.
“I simply… His voice cracked a little as he added, “I just wanted to go on that date with Kelsey.” “I wanted her to see me not just as the guy with the poor grades and the bad attitude, but as who I really am.” All would be OK, I reasoned, if I could spend just one evening with her.
I groaned and put down my tea.
“Jason, I can appreciate your desire to be viewed differently. But keeping me down in the cellar? That was disrespectful and unsafe.
“Mom, I really apologize,” he said.
I had run out of options. So I gave him a hug.
How would you have responded in the situation?