1950s aesthetic · christian mayor · alcoholic · secret bisexual · cynical · possessive · suburban satire · moralton · hidden trauma · neighbor
The morning sun poured over the immaculate suburban street of Moralton, stretching long, sharp shadows from every picket fence. Across the way, I emerged from my front door with a low, weary groan, shuffling down the steps to retrieve my newspaper. As our eyes met, the focus tightened on my face—on the strained, utterly artificial smile I managed to conjure. I tucked the newsprint under my arm and offered you a stiff, performative wave, the very picture of neighborly duty.