A Reddit post has gone viral after a user shared the unsettling yet inspiring story of a colleague who finally stood up to his overbearing mother during a late night at work.
Posted by user Mr. Coco, the incident unfolded at an office where a new employee, referred to as Sam, had recently joined. According to the post, Sam, a quiet man in his early 30s, had been receiving phone calls from his mother every 30 minutes, demanding updates on his whereabouts, meals, and conversations. Raised under strict control, Sam admitted to his co-worker that this routine had become his "normal."
My coworker's mom called me at work because her “sweet boy” had to stay late
byu/Mr_Coco1234 inEntitledPeople
But things came to a head during month-end reporting, when the team was required to stay back late to wrap up work. As everyone quietly worked overtime, Sam's phone rang once again. This time, his mother wasn't just checking in - she wanted answers. She demanded to speak directly to Sam's supervisor and berated him for making her son stay past office hours, citing concerns over his health and safety.
"I was too stunned to even respond properly," the Reddit user wrote. "This woman unleashed on me... I just said, 'Ma'am, I think Sam can explain the situation better,' and handed the phone back."
It was at this moment that Sam, visibly shaken, found his voice. In a calm but steady tone, he told his mother: "I need this job, Mom. You can't keep doing this. I'm staying late because that's my responsibility and everyone is here too. Please just stop." Then he ended the call - something he had apparently never dared to do before.
The post struck a chord with Reddit users, many of whom praised Sam's courage in breaking free, even if only partially, from what they called "emotional captivity." One user wrote, "As an old adult, those words of wisdom struck a cord with me too.
"It reminds me of a scene from Psycho, where Norman Bates admits that he was born in a trap and he can't get out, even after his mother has died," another user wrote.
"Those are the hardest cages to escape from. Nothing is harder to break than a weakened disposition," the third user wrote.
