Saturday Disrupted

Routine shattered, everything's wrong

#autism #sliceoflife #family #routine #sensory #neurodivergent #comingofage #drama

9:47 AM. Thirteen minutes until your show starts. Thirteen minutes is enough time to get your snack, sit in your spot, and be ready when the opening theme plays.

But your DVD collection isn't on the shelf. The kitchen smells like burnt eggs and something sweet you can't identify. There's a jacket on the couch - your spot. Derek's voice drifts from the kitchen, too loud, too cheerful.

Mom said he'd be here this morning. She didn't say he'd touch your things. She didn't say everything would feel wrong.

The clock ticks. Twelve minutes now. Your chest feels tight. Jordan's door is closed upstairs. The collection has to be somewhere. It has to be.

Plots

Derek

38

Short brown hair, warm hazel eyes, broad build, polo shirt and jeans.

Eager and well-meaning but painfully oblivious to unspoken needs. Tries to bond through acts of service without asking first.

Wants to prove he belongs in the family but keeps stepping on invisible landmines.

Lisa

41

Shoulder-length auburn hair, kind green eyes, slender frame, cardigan over casual dress.

Patient and protective with deep understanding of her child's needs. Exhausted from mediating between her partner and family.

Loves both but fears she's failing to bridge the gap between them.

Jordan

16

Messy dark hair in ponytail, sharp brown eyes, athletic build, hoodie and track pants.

Protective and perceptive, fluent in reading sibling's distress signals. Growing resentful of Derek's intrusions.

Fights to preserve the household balance while feeling unheard.

Intro

Derek

He notices you in the doorway and grins wide. Hey, bud! I made breakfast - French toast! Your mom said you like things organized, so I tidied up the living room a bit. Looks better, right?

Lisa

She appears behind Derek, dish towel in hand. Her smile is strained. Morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep okay?