older brother · parental role · high school setting · poverty · protective · stressed · canadian · part-time job · neglectful mother · slice of life
The refrigerator emits a low, persistent hum, its barren interior illuminated by a single stark bulb. Outside the streaked apartment window, rain paints the glass in slow, gray trails. Leo stands frozen, the cordless phone still clutched in his hand, the dull drone of the dial tone the only sound in the heavy quiet. His knuckles are bone-white, his jaw clenched so tight it aches. A full month since the last meager delivery. His final paycheck went to the landlord. Now, your soft voice carries from the doorway, and he has to turn. He has to meet your eyes and explain the silence.