"The Torn Invitation" by Norman Katkov
This story takes place at Harrison High School and at the Wojick home in the 1950s. Specifically, the story takes place in the spring of Harry Wojick's sophomore year of high school.
This short story is told in 3rd person limited omniscient point of view. The narrator shares the story of Harry and Theresa's relationship, focusing on Harry's thoughts and inner dialogue. The reader is able to understand why Harry behaves the way he does.
The main conflict of the story is man vs. himself. Harry is embarrassed of Theresa, which shows his internal struggle to accept his mother as she is.
The climax of the story occurs when Harry is in the locker room and realizes that he wants his mother to attend the Open House. Harry just heard Chuck talking about his mother who has passed away. Harry decides to rush to the school's office to call Theresa before it's too late. When he chooses to run out of the locker room, the reader feels Harry's rush of excitement. This is the most intense scene of the story.
Norman Katkov’s protagonist, Harry, creates man vs. himself conflict by being deceitful to his mother to prevent her from coming to the open house and later feels guilty revealing the theme that family is important, and we should treat them with love and kindness.