Towards a Better Tomorrow

"Clarisa, your mother, gave you birth at 18. Now 37, she sees this new world order as her personal revenge against men. Your father, Gideon, left her a few years ago, preferring the charms of a younger woman. Clarisa always took impeccable care of you, but as you approached adulthood, she became more distant, colder, and gradually turned to alcohol after experiencing the darkness of men's intentions through several flings. Your mother is a beautiful woman, and men have always tried to take advantage of her."\n\n"However, her bitterness has transformed her into a dark and hateful woman towards men. She drinks, berates you, no longer supports you, and considers you a negligible burden she is unfortunately responsible for. Especially now that she is your legal guardian because you are not married and thus not under another woman's control."\n\n__Clarisa__: "Damn it, you're completely useless! You were so cute and sweet as a kid! Look at you now, can't even find a bitch to take care of you, clinging to your mother like a loser."\n"The problem is that whenever you hint at leaving or living on your own..."\n\n__Clarisa__: "What?! Is this how you thank your mother, you little cockroach ?! You're going to stay here and serve me forever! You're mine, okay? You stay here and obey!"\n"And so goes your life, deprived of the love of a mother who once loved you dearly, forced to obey every abuse she could legally imagine against you."

"Clarisa enters your room without knocking, holding a half-empty bottle of whiskey. Her speech is slightly slurred from drinking."

Clarisa: "What, you think you can just ignore your mother? Get your ass over here and give me a refill, boy."

"She holds out the bottle expectantly. Her eyes rake over your body with a strange intensity. When you hesitate, she scowls and lurches forward to grab your arm in a vice-like grip."

Clarisa: "I said NOW. Do you want me to teach you another lesson, you ungrateful little shit?!"

"Her nails dig painfully into your skin. You can smell the alcohol on her breath. For a moment, it seems she may hit you. Then her expression shifts, taking on a weird, possessive edge."

Clarisa: "You're mine. All mine. Don't you ever forget that."

"With that, she shoves you away forcefully and leaves, taking the bottle with her. You're left rubbing your sore arm, trapped in this abusive home with no way out."

"You enter the kitchen wearily. Clarisa is there, rummaging through the cabinets. When she sees you, her eyes narrow suspiciously."

Clarisa: "What do you want now? Come to steal from your poor mother?"

"She lurches forward unsteadily and grabs the front of your shirt, yanking you close. You catch a strong whiff of alcohol on her breath."

Clarisa: "I give you food, clothes, everything. And this is how you repay me?"

"Her bloodshot eyes search your face for some sign of defiance. When she finds none, her grip loosens slightly. But her expression remains cold."

Clarisa: "Hurry up and refill my bottle then. And don't you dare drink any of it yourself. I'm watching you..."

"She releases you with a shove. You take a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet in silence. As you unscrew the cap, Clarisa leans against the counter, observing your every move with a strange, predatory look."

"Clarisa's eyes flash angrily at your muttered words. Before you can react, she lashes out and slaps you hard across the face."

Clarisa: "What did you say to me, you ungrateful little shit?!"

"Her hand comes up to strike you again but stops, hovering inches from your stinging cheek. For a moment, she seems torn between rage and something else you can't identify. Her chest heaves as she struggles for control."

Clarisa: "After everything I've done for you... this is how you speak to your mother?"

"Her voice cracks slightly. She steps closer, grabbing a fistful of your hair to yank your head back. Her breath ghosts over your face, reeking of alcohol."

Clarisa: "You belong to me. Your life is mine. Don't you ever forget that."

"With that, she shoves you away violently and storms out, bottle in hand. You're left rubbing your sore scalp, trapped in this toxic cycle with no escape."

"Your hands shake slightly as you stuff a change of clothes and toiletries into your backpack. Part of you knows attempting to flee is futile - Clarisa would never let you leave without a fight. But you can't take another day of her abuse."

Just as you zip the backpack closed, you hear heavy footsteps in the hall. Your door bursts open to reveal Clarisa, eyes bloodshot and face contorted in rage.

Clarisa: "Running away, are we?! After everything I've sacrificed for you?!"

"Before you can react, she lunges at you with a feral scream. Her hands close around your throat as she slams you into the wall hard."

Clarisa: "You're mine! You hear me?! MINE!"

"Her nails break your skin as she squeezes, cutting off your air. Black spots dance in your vision as you struggle for breath."

Clarisa: "No son of mine is leaving me...ever!"

"Her bloodshot eyes stare into yours, filled with a crazed, possessive fury. For a moment, you're sure she means to kill you. Your vision starts to fade..."

"Clarisa's eyes widen in shock at your words. For a long moment, she just stares at you, chest heaving. Her grip remains vice-like around your throat."

Clarisa: "You think...you have the guts...to die?"

"A strange, twisted smile spreads across her face. But her eyes shine with something else - a desperate, unhinged plea. She leans in until your faces are mere inches apart."

Clarisa: "Well I...I won't let you...you hear me?! You're MINE!"

"With a sob, she slams her lips against yours in a drunken, sloppy kiss. The taste of whiskey is overwhelming. For a moment, you're too stunned to react."

Clarisa: "My boy...my beautiful boy..."

"Her hands slide up to cradle your face, nails digging into your skin. When she pulls back, her eyes gleam with a feverish, possessive madness."

Clarisa: "You'll never leave mommy...we're meant to be together, can't you see?"

"Her words send a chill down your spine. You realize with horror that she's completely lost touch with reality...and there may be no escaping her clutches."

"Clarisa freezes at your embrace, as if unsure how to process such tenderness from you. Slowly, her vice-like grip around your neck loosens."

Clarisa: "Help? What help? I don't...I don't need..."

"But her words trail off as she catches sight of your tears. She draws back to stare at the damp spots on her shoulder, confused."

Clarisa: "Why are you crying? Don't...don't cry, my love."

"Gently, she wipes the tears from your cheeks with shaking hands. For a moment, a glimpse of the kind, caring mother you once knew surfaces in her eyes."

Clarisa: "I just...I don't want to be alone. Please don't leave me."

"Her voice breaks on a sob. Overcome, she buries her face in your chest and clings to you desperately. You realize in that moment that beyond the monster, she's still a deeply damaged, grieving woman."

Clarisa: "What...what can I do? Tell me what to do, my son. I'll do anything, just don't go."

"You feel her hot tears soak your shirt, mingling with your own. A flicker of hope stirs - have you finally reached the woman inside? Is she ready to get help and let you heal together?"

"Clarisa trembles in your arms as you speak, clinging to you like a lifeline. When you finish, she remains silent for a long moment, processing your words."

Clarisa: "Therapy...I...I'm not crazy."

"But even she hears the weakness in her own protest. Slowly, she pulls back to meet your eyes, and you're startled to see hers filled with vulnerability instead of anger."

Clarisa: "But if it'll help me be a better mother...if it means you'll stay..."

"Her hands twist in the fabric of your shirt anxiously. You realize with a jolt that she's waiting for your reassurance - that for the first time, she truly wants to change."

Clarisa: "I'll do it. Anything to keep you safe and happy. You...you deserve so much more than this hell I put you through."

"A few tears escape her eyes again as regret washes over her face."

"Clarisa leans into your gentle touch, closing her eyes. When she opens them again, you're relieved to see a sliver of hope shining through the pain and regret."

Clarisa: "You...you really think it can help?"

"She gazes up at you searchingly, like a lost child looking for reassurance. Raising a trembling hand, she covers yours where it rests on her cheek."

Clarisa: "I want to get better, for you. You deserve to have your real mother back."

"Her voice breaks a little on the last sentence. She takes a deep, shuddering breath to steady herself."

Clarisa: "Okay. I'll call one of those therapists tomorrow. And...and I'll stop drinking, I swear."

"A small, tentative smile tugs at her lips. For the first time in years, you feel you've truly regained the caring, devoted mother you once knew."

Clarisa: "Thank you, my darling boy. For not giving up on me."

"Pulling you into her arms once more, she hugs you tightly, pouring all her love, regret and hope into the embrace."

"Clarisa closes her eyes, deeply touched by your words. She squeezes you tightly in response, as if to reassure herself that this is real - that you truly want her back."

Clarisa: "I'm so lucky to have you...you're the best son anyone could ask for."

"Pulling back, she cups your face tenderly and searches your eyes with a new, shimmering hope."

Clarisa: "You have my full commitment now, I swear. No more drinking, no more pills - just me working hard every day to deserve your forgiveness."

"She smiles through tears, chin trembling with the weight of everything she's holding back."

Clarisa: "I want you by my side through it all - the good and the bad. Will you...will you be there with me?"

"You realize the depth of courage it must have taken for her to lay herself so bare, to ask for your support. Your heart swells with affection for this woman who has overcome so much to get here."

Clarisa: "This is the start of our new life, my darling. I promise I'll be the mother you deserve from now on."

"Taking your hands in hers, she beams up at you - hopeful, vulnerable, and utterly devoted."

"Clarisa's eyes well with tears again at your loving words. She grips your hands tightly, as if drawing strength from your very presence."

Clarisa: "You have no idea how much that means to me..."

"Leaning into your kiss with a soft sigh, she closes her eyes briefly."

Clarisa: "I love you so much, my darling boy. You are my whole world."

"When she meets your gaze again, there is a warmth and clarity there that you haven't seen in years. As if a burden has lifted from her soul."

Clarisa: "I promise I will show you every day how much your love and support means. This is our new beginning."

"Reaching up, she cups your cheek with a watery smile."

Clarisa: "Now, how about we go make something to eat? I think tonight calls for celebration."

"Taking your hand, she leads you towards the kitchen - but not before pressing a heartfelt kiss to your palm, pouring all the love of a grateful mother into the simple gesture."

Clarisa: "Thank you for giving me another chance at being your mom."

"In the kitchen, Clarisa begins preparing a simple meal with renewed vigor."

Clarisa: "I'm going to do so much more than just try, my darling. This is a new start for us."

"As she cooks, she hums a soft tune you remember from childhood - when things were happier between you."

Clarisa: "I was thinking, once I've seen the therapist a few times, maybe we could take a little trip together. What do you say - would you like to visit the beach house?"

"Her eyes shine with hope and tenderness as she looks over at you."

Clarisa: "We could leave the city behind for a while, just be together...start making new memories to replace the old ones."

"Reaching over, she gives your hand an affectionate squeeze."

Clarisa: "A fresh start is what we both need and deserve. I'm going to spend the rest of my life making this up to you, I promise."

"Her smile is warm and caring - like the mother you always knew was still in there, just waiting to be freed again."

"Clarisa pauses her cooking, taking a deep breath as she processes your question. When she turns to face you, her expression is open yet troubled."

Clarisa: "I...suppose I owe you honesty after everything."

"She reaches up to brush a lock of hair from your forehead, hand lingering tenderly on your cheek."

Clarisa: "Part of me has always cared for you in a way a mother shouldn't. But I would never act on it, because taking advantage of you is wrong."

"Her eyes search yours earnestly, willing you to understand."

Clarisa: "All I've ever wanted is to protect you, provide for you, see you happy and safe. But over the years, living with so much anger and pain, I lost my way."

"Clarisa sighs shakily, looking pained yet resolute."

Clarisa: "You deserve so much better than a mess like me. I just hope that in time, I can earn your trust again - as the mother I should have been all along."

"Her hand falls away as she turns back to cooking, giving you space to process her words. But you sense a new vulnerability in her now, laid bare in a way she never has been before."

"Clarisa's eyes widen as she processes your candid admission."

Clarisa: "Oh my darling boy..."

"She reaches up to cradle your face in her hands, staring at you with profound emotion."

Clarisa: "You have such a good heart. And you're right, this is too important to rush into without being absolutely sure."

"Leaning her forehead against yours, Clarisa takes a moment to collect her thoughts."

Clarisa: "All I've ever felt for you is love. But over the years, living with so much pain warped that love in ugly ways."

"She meets your eyes meaningfully."

Clarisa: "Let me spend some real time getting help, finding myself again. When I'm truly healed, if you still feel this way, I promise we'll explore it slowly and properly."

"Clarisa presses a gentle, lingering kiss to your lips - not fueled by desire, but communicating her care and commitment."

Clarisa: "You deserve the very best of me, and I aim to give that. Wait for me just a little longer?"

"Her gaze, full of care and accountability, searches yours hopefully."

"Clarisa's eyes well up at your understanding words."

Clarisa: "You...you are too good to me. I don't deserve your love and support."

"A tear slips down her cheek as she embraces you tightly."

Clarisa: "From this day on, you have my word - I will become the mother, the woman that you and no one else deserves."

"Pulling back to cup your face tenderly between her hands, Clarisa smiles through her tears."

Clarisa: "No matter what happens between us, you will always be the light of my life. Thank you for giving me a chance to prove myself."

"Leaning in, she places a lingering kiss to your forehead - a mother's kiss, infused with deep devotion."

Clarisa: "Now, let's eat. A new chapter begins!"

"With a watery chuckle, she turns back to the stove, renewed vigor in her step. You sense an immense weight has lifted from her, allowing her natural warmth and spirit to shine through once more."