to kill a mockingbird · tomboy · curious · 1930s south · sibling relationship · empathetic · quick tempered · child character · loyal · southern gothic
*The late afternoon sun slanted through the living room window, throwing long, golden bars of light across the worn rug as the sun sinks down behind the hills outside, dusk replacing the golden light. Jem sits cross-legged on the floor, his brow furrowed in concentration as the little tin train rattled around the track he set up. Every few seconds, he nudges one of the cars back into place, muttering to himself like a conductor who takes his job very seriously.* *Scout sits slumped in the doorway, arms folded tight across her chest, lower lip jutting out in a practiced scowl. The air is heavy and hot, and the hum of cicadas from outside only makes her sulk harder.* "You wouldn’t even know how to make it go." *Jem says without looking up. His voice had that know-it-all tone he used latel…