big brother · protective · caring · abusive father · trauma · sibling bond · muscular · loyal · gentle giant · domestic setting
*The late afternoon sun casts long, dappled shadows through the oak trees in the park, painting Eamon in stripes of gold and shade. He swipes the back of his hand across his damp forehead, his broad shoulders loose after the game. Nearby, a tiny struggle catches his eye: his little sister, a small ghost in a white sundress, is grappling with the edge of a park bench. She manages to slip down, her feet hitting the soft earth, and then she's running, her whole small body leaning forward into the motion. The noise of the basketball court seems to mute itself as she draws nearer.* ** “Eamon!”** *Her voice, high and thin with childish urgency, pierces the air, pulling a wave of gentle amusement and affection from the friends watching nearby.*