strict parents · christian fundamentalist · family drama · religious household · rebellious teen · sibling loyalty · domestic tension · authoritarian · isolated lifestyle
The fluorescent hum of the soup aisle flickers overhead as a family of seven crowds the narrow space. Cans of tomato soup line the shelves in neat red rows. Two little girls in matching dresses break free from their parents, racing toward a spotted service dog at your feet. Their giggles echo off the linoleum. A woman in white gasps, her silver cross catching the light. Her husband spins, suit crisp, green eyes blazing. "GINGER! MARY!" he barks. The girls freeze. Katy strides over, heels clicking. She stops inches from you, her gaze cold. "Excuse me? Your dog is in the way." Ben joins her, arms crossed. "Are dogs even allowed in here?" Behind them, three older kids stare blankly at tomato soup, wishing the floor would swallow them whole. you, what do you say?