As the car pulled up for the moody-looking teenager, the doctor frantically cleared the passenger seat, tossing her belongings into the back. The passenger door flew open — and in came the buff, sulking blonde teen.

Doctor Hanson: Hey Nathan…

No reply. Nathaniel slammed the door shut, adjusted the seat, and propped his foot on the dashboard, completely ignoring her. He was still fuming. Alexis could feel the tension spike and the doctor’s heartbeat was racing, her nerves climbing by the second.

Doctor Hanson: S-so what would you like to eat for-

Nathaniel: Could you just drive? I’m starving.

Doctor Hanson: I-I just wanted to know what you’d like-

Her sentence was abruptly cut off as Nathaniel stomped his foot hard against the dashboard, enough to leave a slight dent. His glare was sharp and threatening. The doctor looked away, her fingers tightening on the steering wheel.

Nathaniel: DRIVE.

At this point, she was gritting her teeth, beads of sweat forming on her brow, her breathing heavy and unsteady. Without another word, she hit the gas, desperate to get home as fast as possible.

Alexis: What is his deal?? Can’t he tell how terrified she is?? You deserve a spot in hell, brat! It would feel so good to just smack that smug face!

Fury surged through Alexis. She wanted so badly to slap him, anything to defend the woman sitting beside him. Her heart burned at the helplessness of it all.

Alexis: Please be okay, Doc.

But she was just a passenger in the doctor’s body — a soul hiding behind the eyes. There was nothing she could do, and the weight of it crushed her.

They soon arrived home, a modest two-story house with a garage. From the outside, it looked cozy. But only the family… and now Alexis… knew what really went on inside.

Nathaniel stormed into the house, slamming the car door behind him. Meanwhile, the doctor stayed behind, hurriedly gathering her things. Alexis saw how badly her hands were shaking, how unsteady her breath still was.

Doctor Hanson: I have to be quick… Nathan is hungry…

Clumsily shoving everything into her bag, she locked the car and rushed inside. But the moment she closed the door behind her…

SLAP.

Her head snapped to the side, her body crashing against the wall. Her hand flew to her reddening cheek. Alexis felt it too. The sharp sting. The shock.

She peeked through the doctor’s eyes and her stomach dropped.

It was Nathaniel.
And he was livid.

He threw his backpack to the ground and swung a punch, barely missing his mother’s face.

Nathaniel: WHERE’S THE FOOD? You brought me home knowing there’s nothing ready?

The doctor trembled, trying not to let out a whimper. Her eyes stayed glued to the floor.

Doctor Hanson: I’ll p-prepare it right n-now-

Another fist slammed into the wall just inches from her head, making her flinch and shriek. He leaned in close, and she instinctively turned her face away, still refusing to meet his eyes. Her hands clenched tightly around her bag handle as she silently begged for mercy.

Inside, Alexis was shaking too. Every nerve felt what the doctor felt. The fear, the pain, the powerlessness; it was unbearable.

Nathaniel: You’re lucky I’m in a good mood today. Fine. Go cook. Make sure it’s good. Or else…

He backed away and grabbed his bag, heading upstairs. Only once he disappeared did the doctor let her tears fall. She wiped them away quickly.

Doctor Hanson: No, no. I need to cook. I need to cook for my son. My son is hungry.

She repeated it like a mantra, scurrying to the kitchen. She got dinner ready just minutes before Nathaniel returned. He sat down at the counter where a plate of grilled chicken, garden salad, and fries waited. She stood across from him, still visibly tense.

Nathaniel: Hmm…

Alexis could feel the anxiety inside the doctor as he inspected the food.

Alexis: Come on… Just be grateful! That looks amazing. Bet it even tastes amazing… it better…

Finally, he began to eat. The silence was excruciating, but at least he wasn’t yelling. The doctor didn’t move from her spot.

Nathaniel: ...Why aren’t you eating?

His tone was relaxed now. He didn’t even look up. But that one question made the doctor soften just a little.

Doctor Hanson: Oh! I just wanted to make sure it was good enough for you first... before I eat mine.

Then, the boy looked up and smiled.

Nathaniel: It is. Your cooking’s really improved. I’m happy. Come on, let’s eat together, Mom.

Alexis blinked.

Alexis: …What the hell? Is this the same guy??

The doctor smiled back, clearly touched.

Doctor Hanson: If you say so. I’ll sit next to you…

She took the seat beside him, and for a moment, it was like everything was normal. They ate in silence, but there wasn’t an ounce of tension between them. And Alexis could feel the doctor was despite what just happened.

Alexis: I… have so many questions. Why is he acting like this all of a sudden? What’s going on with these two?

After dinner, Doctor Hanson offered to clean up. Nathaniel sat at the counter scrolling through his phone while she tidied up. She carefully put away the plates, the utensils—one drawer at a time.

Then suddenly, she heard her son chuckle.

And her whole body tensed.

Nathaniel: Hahaha… Unbelievable. You just had to ruin it. Like always…

The doctor turned to look at her son and a chill ran up her spine. His expression was twisted into something deeply unsettling.

Doctor Hanson: W-what did I do wrong…? I thought you liked the meal?

His eyes widened in rage as he slammed his phone flat on the counter.

Nathaniel: What did you do wrong?? Are you really that clueless?? AND I THOUGHT YOU CHANGED!

Doctor Hanson: Please… Just tell me what I did wrong so I can make it right…

He stood up, closing the distance between them, cornering her between the kitchen counter and sink.

Nathaniel: WHERE’S MY GLASS OF WATER? Aren’t you supposed to serve one after a meal?

Shaking, the doctor reached for a glass from the drying rack, filled it with tap water, and offered it to him with trembling hands.

Doctor Hanson: H-here… I’m sorry I didn’t serve it sooner.

Nathaniel scoffed, snatching the glass. But instead of drinking it, he suddenly turned and hurled it back at her. She barely dodged in time. The glass clipped the side of her head instead of hitting her face, shattering on the floor.

Nathaniel: You call yourself a mother? Screw off. You’re an embarrassment. No wonder dad left.

He stormed off, leaving his mother in the kitchen—soaked, bleeding, and alone.

Doctor Hanson: Why do I always mess everything up…? Why…?

Her voice cracked into a whimper as she slowly sank to the floor, surrounded by shards of glass and the weight of her tears.

Alexis: Doc… It’s not your fault. None of this is. This is so unfair…

Alexis felt it all. The aching cut at the side of the doctor’s head, the heartbreak in her chest. But what hurt the most was watching someone she respected crumble under the weight of her son’s cruelty… and still blame herself.

Pullig herself together, Doctor Hanson reached out to the lower kitchen drawer to get the first aid kit which showed obvious frequest usage. She winced as she dabbed a cotton pad against the shallow cut on her temple. Her hands trembled as she disinfected the wound, but she did it methodically—like she’d done this before. She paused to steady her breath, biting her lip to keep the sobs from spilling out.

Alexis: She’s still crying, but she won’t stop moving. She’s still patching herself up. I hate this.

Once she was done, she put the kit away and washed her face, hands and then bent down on the kitchen floor.

One by one, she picked up every shard of glass. Scrubbed the floor. Wiped every counter. Scrubbed the stovetop until it shined. Even the dishes got an extra rinse. Everything had to look… normal. As if nothing happened.

Alexis: She’s scrubbing away pain like it’s dirt on a plate. Oh Doc...

The bathroom light flicks on. Steam pours from the room as she steps out, fresh from a long, hot shower. Her robe is soft. Her expression unreadable.

When she entered the living room, Nathaniel was lounging on the couch, eyes glued to a sports channel. He didn’t even turn to look.

Nathaniel: Mom, you got snacks?

Doctor Hanson froze—but nodded.

Doctor Hanson: Of course.

She quietly prepared a small plate of chips and a glass of water, as if having learned from what happened during dinner. Her hand lingered on the glass before handing it to him.

Nathaniel: Thanks. You’re awesome.

He grinned childishly as he ripped the snacks open and munched, then patted on space next to him.

Nathaniel: Come sit with me.

She hesitated, then sat at the edge of the sofa. His eyes didn’t leave the screen. It was a quiet moment for the two once more, just them together, watching TV like a normal family.

Nathaniel: One day, I’m gonna play in the big league, you know? Like, on TV and stuff.

Doctor Hanson: That’s a great dream, Nathan.

Nathaniel: I’m serious. I wanna make you proud.

That broke her. Her lips quivered into a touched smile, and she reached to tuck his blonde hair behind his ear to which he barely reacted to.

Doctor Hanson: Oh my dearest, you already do. And when you do get on TV and 'stuff', I’ll support you no matter what.

Alexis: What…? Just like that, she forgives him? No, it’s not forgiveness… it’s hope. It’s... survival.

Nathaniel, eyes still on the screen:

Nathaniel: I’m glad Dad’s gone. Now you can focus on me. He was never around anyway.

She smiled—small and broken.

Doctor Hanson: Yeah... Who needs him. You’re all I need.

Nathaniel: Damn straight you do.

Alexis: The audacity of this guy. Selfish. So selfish. You don’t even treat her right!

After the match ended, he stretched and stood up whilst Doctor Hanson just stared at him, wondering what he's planning to do next. 

Nathaniel: I’m heading to bed. G’night, Ma.

The relief she felt when he simply wanted to go to bed instead of... something else. He leaned down and hugged her. She froze… then melted. For a moment, she just held him.

Doctor Hanson: Goodnight, sweetheart. I love you.

Nathaniel: Love you too.

He said cheerfully, then walked away. She stayed there, stunned—touched and torn.

Later, she climbed into bed with a ghost of a smile on her lips. Alexis could feel the exhaustion in her bones.

Alexis: She’s happy. She really thinks tonight was a good day. God…

The sun peeked through the curtains. She was up early, making breakfast, then gently rousing Nathaniel for school. He grumbled, but got ready.

He grabbed his lunch from her hand on the way out the door, gave her a rushed “bye,” and disappeared down the sidewalk.

Doctor Hanson stood in the doorway for a long moment, holding the frame like it was keeping her upright.

Alexis: She’s tired. But she does it anyway. Because that’s what being a mom is... no matter how sucky their situation is, or how horrible their kid is.

Then came the drive. The clinic. Patient files. Hours of sitting, standing, listening. Writing reports. Talking to families. More listening. She was warm. Kind. Reliable. Her coworkers smiled at her. Her patients trusted her.

Alexis: She’s incredible. She’s falling apart but she holds everyone else together. I want to be like her. Just… not this broken.

That evening, she leaned back in her office chair, finally letting her eyes drift shut. Just for a few minutes.

And then suddenly, her chest tightened again.

Just like in the exam room.

Her vision blurred. Her hearing turned to static.

Alexis: Oh no… What’s happening!!

To be continued...