A story I never finished

United States
January 27, 2019 7:57pm CST
I was looking through things I used to write. This is one I posted on reddit under my username there (different from the one here). I didn't finish this story and totally forgot about it until I began to read it. I figured I would share it here. Tell me what you think of it if you are so inclined. -*-*-*-*- My mother used to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I never did have an answer for her. Sometimes I would say things like "Firefighter" or "Police man" but mostly I just shrugged. Eventually she stopped asking. It wasn't that I didn't know what I wanted to be, I just didn't think she'd approve of my answer. I lied to her the first few years of my adult life. We lived in different cities then, and she never got the chance to visit. She'd ask me how work at the office was going, and I'd make up some drama with a co-worker, or I'd just tell her it was busy and boring like always. She accepted this, never questioning me about it, never doubting I was telling her the truth. She even gushed about how proud of me she was. This always made me feel awkward and bad for lying to her. One day I even thought about telling her. We were on skype that day, and she was gabbing on about how she had been bragging about me. The guilt was eating at me, and I was just trying to figure out a way to tell her when she changed the subject. I decided it probably was for the best. I wasn't sure how to tell her, how to justify what I did for a living. I knew it would break her heart to learn that my chosen occupation was far removed from what she thought I did. So we went on like that for awhile, me lying to her about my career, her eating it up and gushing over her little boy growing into a young, successful man. The guilt wasn't tearing at me as much anymore, I was getting used to the lie, even half believing some of the stories I would tell her. All of that came to an end though, and let me tell you I'm actually rather relieved. I was on my way to a meeting with the head of my organization. I was rather nervous as this would be the first time I would be meeting them. Most of my assignments were delegated by my closest associate, and he also happened to be the one that got me the job, and generally vouched for my style of work. This meeting was necessary for me to get better assignments in the future. To travel to new places, and learn new techniques of my trade. This was a huge goal for me, and would be a big stepping stone in me eventually taking over, or starting my own company. I was aiming at taking over though, as I had been eyeing this organization for quite a while. I straightened the collar of my suit jacket, rubbed my sweaty palms on my pants, and opened the door to the bosses office. "Hello Son."
5 people like this
6 responses
@LadyDuck (460403)
• Switzerland
28 Jan 19
This is an interesting story. A young man who lives his life inventing stories for his mother. I wonder how the story goes on.
• United States
28 Jan 19
Well his mother has known all along what he really does for a living. I need to do some editing on it. I am not even sure what gave me the inspiration for this piece, it's been so long. I do remember what the man's job is, and what the mother's job is as well. The man never knew that his mom was the head of the organization.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (460403)
• Switzerland
28 Jan 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum It is a very good story. You should publish your stories.
• United States
28 Jan 19
@LadyDuck I need to write more, that's for sure. I've thought of self publishing them, or creating a website and asking for donations via patreon.
1 person likes this
@Courage7 (19633)
• United States
28 Jan 19
Wonderful story AmberLynn. You may continue it maybe huh?
• United States
28 Jan 19
Perhaps one day. I submitted it to a subreddit a few years ago. I was stuck on how to continue without "blabbing" in the storyline.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Jan 19
@Courage7 I am pretty sure I had watched Mr. And Mrs. Smith again and that is what encouraged me to write this piece. Oh well, not every story was meant to be re-written.
1 person likes this
@Courage7 (19633)
• United States
28 Jan 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum Yes some things are better left undone.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (135092)
• Roseburg, Oregon
28 Jan 19
So your mother knew what you did all along. What did you do for a living.
• United States
28 Jan 19
This is a work of fiction. I won't divulge what the "son" did for a living because I am thinking of doing a re-write on it.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (135092)
• Roseburg, Oregon
28 Jan 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum What you wrote was really good.
• United States
28 Jan 19
@jstory07 Thank You. I want to revise it and make it shorter while also revealing what the profession is.
@RasmaSandra (74114)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
28 Jan 19
Interesting story. Keep going.
• United States
28 Jan 19
I think I'd have to rewrite part of it now. I know where I wanted it to go then, and where I want it to go now. I stopped because I couldn't figure out a way to keep the story as short as possible whilst still revealing the son and mother's jobs.
1 person likes this
• United Kingdom
28 Jan 19
Interesting story but it's really quite sad that a child would think he needed to lie to his parents in an attempt to make them proud of him. Every parent is proud of their children no matter what
• United States
28 Jan 19
It is interesting how everyone has interpreted this differently. The story was never finished, but I was trying to infer that the job was not one a mother would want her son to have. The mother has the same job as the son though, and he never knew. Think Mr. And Mrs. Smith.
1 person likes this
@dondon23 (117)
• Tiberias, Israel
31 Jan 19
Still ongoing ?? Can be a happy ending Although the obstacles are many in front of them ...
• United States
31 Jan 19
It was never meant to be a happy ending. Not that kind of story. I am not sure if I will continue it, I figure I will eventually.