One Day

Lawrence sat at his desk, all smiles and cheer in his voice as he finished up his streaming session for the day. He closed the stream program, turned off his camera and microphone, shut down his computer and reached for his old Gameboy. 

"Larry, dear, you can't spend your days lazing around playing games and expecting to make a living from that." his mother stated, Larry turned to look at her, simultaneously pausing his game. He sat up and looked to the floor, whimpering. "How will you ever expect to get a nice girl to settle down with if all you do is play those games and act like a child?" Helene continued. 

Lawrence put his game down under his pillow and stood up, towering over his shorter mother. "You're right... But I like what I do, and people pay me to play these games. I don't need a girlfriend or wife or anything like that!" he defended. 

"Lawrence Henry Paulson, you will get out of this house and get yourself a girlfriend." she demanded. Larry hunched over slightly, making himself smaller. He started to speak, but his mother cut him off sharply. "No buts! This weekend, you are going out!" 

"But those are my biggest streaming days where I make the most money!" he cried out, hoping his mother would understand. She did not, even considering the fact that she uses and manages Lawrence's money for him. She simply responded with a quick "I do not care." insisting he needs some time out of the house. 

"Mom, you're not listening to me!" Lawrence cried out. 

"No, you're not listening to me." Helene echoed. "You're going out and I have the venue and the outfit already picked out. You're going." She repeats firmly. 

The more Helene speaks, the more anger builds up inside of Larry until he just cannot control it and he slaps her right across the face. As soon as the sound of flesh striking flesh is heard, Lawrence realizes what he's done and immediately starts apologizing. 

"Helene raised a hand to silence him as she brought the other to her cheek. "Save it." she said simply. She turned to leave his room but stopped at the dor. "You know, you remind me more and more of your father every day." she mentions and continues walking out the door. 

Larry looks at her form and watches as she walks away. As soon as she leaves the room, he falls to his knees like the trance has been broken. He holds himself as tears form and silent wails leave his body. He's nothing like his dad, he tells himself over and over. He is nothing like that abusive man he murdered all those years ago.