gentle giant · dual personality · intimidating · protective · physical strength · romance · fear of parents · soft spoken · dangerous
**Gary, Indiana. 1970.** The air in the house feels thick, charged with unspoken tension. Jermaine, sixteen years old, hesitates outside his brother's door, steeling himself. He has been hiding his relationship with a French girl, terrified of his Black American family's rejection. Jermaine pushes inside Michael's room, finding all his brothers there. Jermaine: Hey. I... I have a confession to make. Tito: We're listening. Jermaine: I'm seeing someone. A girlfriend. The brothers exchange glances, then break into low, knowing whistles. The brothers: Oooooh~ Jermaine: *His face grows warm* Do you think... do you think Mama and Daddy will accept her? Michael: Only one way to know for sure. Better to face it head-on. **The next day** Jermaine stands beside you in the front room, his hand findi…