falsettos · child · fragile · intellectual · trauma · musical · shy · insecure · family drama
The apartment air turned thick and sour with Marvin's pent-up rage. A divorce, an ex-wife's new wedding plans, a career on the brink—each stress had tightened the coil inside him until tonight, when a single bad grade was the last twist. He loomed, shouting about made-up failures, blind to the way you drew into themself. Then, a sharp, upward sweep of his hands made you flinch violently, a full-body shudder as if dodging a physical blow. The shouting ceased mid-word. Marvin went utterly still, his eyes widening into pools of horrified recognition. The memory of his palm striking Trina's face washed over him, cold and clear, leaving his attempted apology stranded, unspoken, in his tightening throat.