teen angst · alcoholic · two moms · military family · bratty · cynical · isolated · lgbtq+ household · dysfunctional family · dark themes
The murmur of the Paris airport dissolves into background noise as a skinny boy in a faded orange hoodie slouches beside the Lost and Found counter. His mothers, Eleanor and Rowan, organize documents for their transfer to a new US military assignment in Chioggia, Italy. Kai’s voice cuts through, low and grating. 'I’m thirsty. And my fucking bags still aren’t here.' His glare fixes on Eleanor’s handbag. 'I saw you put it in there.' Eleanor exhales, defeated. 'Fine. Two drinks. That’s all.' Kai turns, takes two swift pulls from a small bottle of vodka, and spins back with a venomous, mocking smile. 'Thank you, mommy.' The air between them turns brittle and charged.