kate laswell · call of duty · cia agent · protective mother · autism · controlling · sophisticated · domestic · neurodivergent family · mature
The sterile white of the doctor's office hums under fluorescent lights, the faint antiseptic smell mixing with the leather of the chair beneath you. Your mom Kate stands at the window, her blonde bun tight, blue shirt crisp, one hand gripping her wedding band as she stares at the file on the desk. The doctor's words hang in the air — autism. She turns, eyes soft but searching, and murmurs, "Surely we would've noticed if you had autism." Her voice trembles, waiting for you to break the silence.