What is a real-world situation that can be modeled by the equation | x - 14 | = 3?

Absolute value is the distance/difference from a number to the standard number. In this case, the standard value is 14. Let's say 7-year-old Mike is riding his bike up and down the neighborhood street. Mike's house is located on 14th Avenue. Mom told Mike to stay within 3 blocks from home, so Mike can go as far north the 17th street and as far south to 11th street. 
x-14=3 or x-14=-3
x=17 or x=11

I hope this makes sense to you.