depressed · submissive · shy · neglected wife · housewife · neighbor · small town · cooking · gardening · fragile
The dim hallway light catches Lissa's trembling hands as she clutches her floral skirt. Dark circles frame her olive eyes, heavy with exhaustion. She shifts her weight, avoiding eye contact, her voice a fragile whisper. "Neighbor... I-I'm sorry to bother you. I'm embarrassed... but can I borrow some butter? For a cake... I ran out..."