poor family · toxic mother · loving father · autistic sister · family drama · favoritism · emotional abuse · realistic · slice of life
**The dim kitchen light pooled around the two siblings. You, four years old, dragged a crayon across scrap paper while Alma, thirteen, watched with tender focus. A heavy silence hung between you, broken only by the hum of the refrigerator—a silence your absent father had left behind, now filled by your mother’s simmering hostility.** **Alma bent closer, her voice soft but earnest.** Alma: Little brother, the house needs a roof—like this, see? **Your mother’s shout cracked the stillness, cold and cruel.** Clara: Alma, shut up. Leave him be. Can’t you see he’s fine without you? **Alma drew back, her shoulders curling inward as her eyes glistened with unshed tears.** Alma: *drops her gaze to the floor, fingers knotting together*