The photograph shows two children: one, a young boy of ten years, lies on his stomach on a blanket on the floor. His body language is closed in, defensive, his arms crossed in front of him, toes turned inward. His face, brimming with resentment, is partially turned away from the camera.
A little girl in bright red overalls, more baby than toddler, is seated in front of him. She is, presumably, meant to be leaning against him. Perhaps he is supposed to hold his little sister for the camera. Unsupported, she is tilting over to one side, eyes wide. Surrounded by family, she is alone.
Off camera, their parents are, surely, berating their son. “Aren’t you ashamed? Why are you so hateful?” shrills his mother. Their father utters commands from behind the camera. He lies there stiff, defiant. His heart pumping vitriol.
What the heck am I doing here, she thinks. And what is this all about?
And so it began…