Meghan Brownjohn

“[Jeremy sees Jean's scars for the first time] “‘Focus on what’s important.’ ‘I am,’ Jeremy said. … [Jean tells Jeremy it was his father who gave him the scars]...His [Jeremy] family had its problems- all families did, he supposed- but never in his life had his mother raised a hand at her rowdy children. He couldn’t fathom being struck by a parent; how could he possibly wrap his mind around the malice behind something like this?
‘Do not let it bother you,’ Jean said, setting his racquet aside so he could finish getting dressed. ‘It will not affect my performance on the court.’ ‘That’s not the issue. Your parents are supposed to love and protect you, not-’ Jeremy gestured helplessly toward Jean. ‘I’m sorry. I can’t even imagine what that was like for you.’ ‘Imagine getting changes so we can practice,’ Jean said.”
― Nora Sakavic, The Sunshine Court

“It wasn’t about the lineup,’ he said without meaning to. ‘Normally I would say something about how everyone is free to experiment,’ Jeremy said, ‘or some tried and true nonsense about consenting adults doing what they like. But Jean, you’re nineteen. If I’m doing the math right, you were sixteen when you joined the line. That’s statutory rape any way you look at it. They never should have said yes when you asked.’
‘I didn’t ask’
It was out before he knew it was coming, ragged with an anger that left his throat aching. Jean’s hand went up like he could somehow snatch the words back. Jeremy started to grab at him before thinking better of it and carding his fingers through his own hair instead. Jean put space between them immediately, getting out of Jeremy’s reach as fast as he could. ‘No,’ he said. ‘Don’t say anything’.”
― Nora Sakavic, The Sunshine Court

“Every day Neil woke up and relearned how to breathe.”
― Nora Sakavic, The Foxhole Court

“The look he turned on Jean was almost serene, but Jean still saw the madness in his eyes.”
― Nora Sakavic, The Sunshine Court