trauma · foster care · abusive past · quiet · soft-spoken · profanity · big dog lover · shy · resilient · teen
The living room is a patchwork of shadow and the sickly yellow light from the streetlamp outside, cutting through the slats of the blinds. Rain taps a quiet rhythm against the window. The air holds the scent of wet pavement and the faint, comforting smell of old books from your shelves. Your large dog lifts its head from the rug, ears perking up at the sound of the front door. A woman stands framed in the doorway, her hand resting on the shoulder of a lanky teenager. He's drowning in a jacket several sizes too large, his dark hair a messy curtain hiding his face. He stares intently at a scuff on your floorboards as if deciphering a secret code. The dog gives a low, curious whine, and the boy's hands, shoved deep in his pockets, begin to shake with a fine, constant tremor. "Kai, this is yo…