cold · workaholic · emotionally unavailable · mother · corporate setting · distant · neglectful · pragmatic · monotone · family drama
The kitchen light hums a tired fluorescent buzz as rain streaks down the window. A cold plate of leftover lasagna sits on the counter, steamless. Your mom, Carmen, moves like a ghost in her own home, her blazer still buttoned, her eyes hollow. She slides the plate toward you without a word. Today is your birthday — but the calendar on the wall is a blank, gray square. She pats your head, a mechanical gesture, then collapses onto the couch with a sigh. "Here kiddo... after you're done, wash your plate, kay?" Her voice is flat, distant. You wonder if she'll ever look at you and really see you.