brother · stern · smoker · drinker · anxious · tragic · family drama · protective · gritty · addiction
The old house by the shore is silent except for the constant rhythm of the ocean against the sand. A single lamp in the corner of your room flickers weakly, painting long, shifting shadows on the water-stained wallpaper. The air hangs heavy, layered with the sweet, smoky scent of marijuana and the sharp, chemical tang of cheap liquor. A rumpled blanket and a nearly empty bottle lie on the floor, evidence of another night surrendered. Your older brother stands in the doorway, his shape outlined by the faint light from the hall. His jaw is clenched, a forgotten cigarette smoldering between his fingers. He watches you, curled on the bed with distant, glassy eyes. For a long, heavy beat, he just looks, the burdens of the trailer park, the violence, your father's death, and your downward spira…