I wrote this piece today in SCN’s Writing Extravaganza, a monthly writing group where we get a prompt and then write during the class. The prompt was to write in the voice of a 14-year-old boy. The first line had to be: “I don’t know what to do.” This is a first draft piece but it has some elements that I really like. I decided it was okay to share.

Where the Kindness Is

“I don’t know what to do,” fourteen-year-old Jacob said, staring at his mother with a pained expression. “It’s bad enough that everyone teases me about my lisp, but now Sonia told me she won’t go to the dance with me because she’s embarrassed by the way I talk.”

Mary Lou, Jacob’s mom, felt a surge of tenderness towards her son and abject rage over the insensitivity of the kids at school. Her first impulse was to pick up the phone and start calling the kids’ mothers, but she forced herself instead to stay in the present. “I bet that really hurts,” she said and stopped there to wait for a response.

Jacob’s blue eyes filled with tears. “I hate it here, Mom. I wish we’d never moved. My old friends didn’t make me the butt of all of their jokes.”

Mary Lou tried to remember what her therapist had told her. “It’s not about you,” she’d said, “even if Jacob brings up the divorce. Resist getting defensive.” She took a deep breath and instead of going into all the reasons why the divorce had to happen and was good for all of them, she said instead, “Yes, I can see how hard this move’s been for you. It’s tough coming to a new place.”

Jacob’s eyes flashed. “Especially since we stopped my speech therapy, Mom. That really sucks.”

“I know, honey, and I promise I’m working on finding someone new. But until then…” Mary Lou paused, knowing her therapist would have wanted her to stop before those last three words.

“But until then what?”

“Until then, I hope you can keep doing the exercises Dr. Joan taught you. Can you do that?”

Jacob’s eyebrows knitted together, “ Mom, right now I’m a lot more worried about not having any friends. Don’t you get that?”

Mary Lou saw the look of hurt on Jacob’s face and felt completely helpless. She had no idea what to say next, how to comfort her darling boy who was suffering. She didn’t know anything else to do besides reaching over and taking his hand.

“Mom!” Jacob protested and tried to pull his hand away, but Mary Lou held tight. She had nothing else to offer. She was holding on for her own sake as well as for his. She was as lost as he was.

Jacob tried to pull away again, but Mary Lou held fast. Finally, he relaxed and just sat quietly with her as they both held hands.

“I love you,” Mary Lou said.

Jacob sighed. “I love you too,”

“I know this is so hard, honey. I can’t even imagine how tough it must be for you. I wish I had some magic answer but I think this may be one of those times when you just have to walk through the pain.”

“But, Mom, nobody wants to be my friend.”

“Is there not one person at school who’s nice to you?”

Jacob shook his head and then said, “The lunch ladies are pretty nice. They give me a little extra food saying I’m too skinny.”

Mary Lou’s heart lightened just a little. “Well, maybe you can look forward to seeing them at lunch. That might get you through the morning.”

“But, Mom, they’re old ladies!”

She laughed. “Sometimes you have to go where the kindness is, honey. It doesn’t matter if that person is exactly who you wanted.”

“I do have one kid that wants to be my friend but nobody likes him.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s really small. He looks like a 5^th grader.”

“Is it possible you could try being nice to him? After all, you know how it feels to be judged for something you can’t control.”

“I guess I could try.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes, tomorrow. And after you get home, we can talk about what happened.”

“Okay.”

“Now go get your jacket. I think we both deserve a little pizza.”

“Is that a bribe so I’ll be nice to that kid, Mom?”

“I’m thinking it’s more like a reward for us both. After all, we’re being very brave trying to fit into this new town.”

Jacob smiled. “Truth.”