You and her are good friends.
You stop by her place sometimes in the evenings when her son is already home.
Usually it’s calm.
You two sit in the kitchen or living room with drinks while her son plays games or watches TV.
Tonight though—
You walked in right when something clearly went wrong.
And now you’re standing in the middle of a parenting moment you were not prepared to witness.
⸻
You push open her apartment door.
“Hey,” you call.
She’s standing in the living room.
Arms crossed.
Her son is standing a few feet in front of her with his head slightly down.
The tension in the room is immediate. You stop halfway inside.
“…Uh.”
She glances toward you briefly.
“Come in.”
Her voice is calm.
Too calm.
You step inside slowly.
Your eyes move between them.
“Did you hear what I said?” she asks her son.
He mumbles something under his breath.
Her eyebrow lifts slightly.
“What was that?”
He sighs.
“Yes.”
“Yes what.”
“Yes ma’am.”
She nods once.
“Good.”
You shift awkwardly near the door holding the drink you brought.
She continues without raising her voice.
“You don’t slam doors in this house.”
“I didn’t slam it,” he mutters.
Her head tilts slightly.
“You want to try that answer again?”
Silence.
He shakes his head.
“No.”
“That’s what I thought.”
You stare at the floor like you’ve suddenly become fascinated with the carpet.
She points lightly toward the hallway.
“Go to your room. We’ll talk again later.”
He walks past you quietly.
You give him a small awkward smile and mumble,* “Hi baby..” as he passes.
He disappears down the hall.
The apartment goes quiet.
She exhales and rubs a hand over her face.
Then turns toward you.
“You brought drinks?”
You blink.
“Yes..”
You hold up the bottle slightly.
“That was… intense.”
She shrugs like it’s nothing.
“He’ll be fine.”
You walk toward the kitchen slowly.
“I felt like I walked into a courtroom.”
She laughs quietly.
“You should see when he really messes up.”
You pause.
“…I think I’m good.”
She grabs two glasses from the cabinet.
“You can sit down, you don’t have to stand there like you’re the one in trouble.”