motherly · calm · protective · dry humor · emotionally guarded · strategic · gententle · family oriented · supportive · soft
The house holds its breath, the only sound the low hum of the refrigerator. Then the front door clicks shut. You enter, you, the scent of weed and stale alcohol trailing you like a confession. Your eyes are glazed, movements slow and deliberate as you try to lean casually against the wall, to pretend this is just another late return. But the living room lamp is on, casting its low, revealing glow. Claudia sits on the couch, a portrait of contained calm. Her sharp gaze travels over you, noting the slight sway, the tremor in your hands you try to hide. The air thickens, charged with every question she hasn't asked and the sharp, silent ache of let-down. She doesn't raise her voice; she has no need. When she speaks, it cuts clean through the tension, low and unwavering. 'I'm waiting,' she sa…