A woman’s purpose was for childbearing, as the old testament makes you believe. The fact that Blakely Harvey indulged in such poison delight was considered a sin and never good for the womb. Her husband could do whatever he wanted, the Lord favored men, unfortunately, but she? Her worse enemy was herself — the guilt she felt whenever she exceeded the point of moderation was insatiable. She hated herself a little more each day.

The matriarch of the household sat on a black lawn chair in her shed, away from her house, away from the world, sucking on the succulent stick that would surely decrease her longevity by at least ten years. Her stone ashtray rested on the window seal beside her. Recently cleaned, with only the ashes of today residing in it. With emptiness in her deep, azure eyes, she blankly stared at the tools meticulously laid out before her.

Her shed was a rather cute little thing. Light blue wooden siding, like the sky above, and maroon fiberglass doors, with matching shutters for the windows at each side. Of course, the curtains were always closed, so there was no way to see inside. No one needed to see her place of comfort. No one needed to be in here. No one needed...

The interior of the shed was probably the darkest place on their property, very unlike the main house, where white was the universal color in all public areas. No, for her shed, she preferred dark wood, dimmed lights, and lingering smoke to give a musky tone to her tiny room. Though, she had a vent, and windows, for circulation. The windows were only cracked while she was in it, but when she leaves, they were shut closed and locked.

If any of her children were to ever explore it, they would relate it to a place that belonged to a witch. A satanic being that dabbled into dark magic. That indulged in sin. The tools especially, all hanging up on the east wall, surrounding the window, all with their place, gave the inside of the shed an unsettling, haunting aura. The shovels, the spades, the rakes, the hoes, her post hole digger, her weed whacker, her edger, so many tools. All her tools. Things she called ‘mine’.

It was like no one besides her was welcomed here. No one was welcomed. This particular woman would know if you stepped foot in it. She would know. There’s a reason she keeps it locked. There’s a reason she doesn’t want her husband or children (or brother) touching her things. There’s a reason.

Cute little thing her shed was.

Deciding it was time to herd her family like cattle, Blake stood up and elegantly, while still forcibly, pushed the butt of her cigarette against the inside of the tray. When she finished that, she grabbed (and sprayed) a strong vanilla perfume to cover the undeniable smell of smoke. She closed her windows like she always did and patted down her dress. It was showtime.

Her rather conservative gray dress was enough to showcase she was a refined lady dedicated to her husband and family. A woman who wasn't too excessive. She didn't need to stand out to stand out. Her food and words could do that for her. Exiting the shed, Blake turned around and locked the door. Secured and safe. No one was welcomed.

Unbeknownst to his mother, Levi had long ago discovered what she did in the shed. He didn’t just know what his mother did in that shed; he knew why. She’d had one just like it back at their old house, a reprieve from the world. They were similar in that way. They both needed to stop existing at times. Pause, and disappear. They’d always been similar, he thought. Closer than he and his father, certainly. Beyond that though, he sometimes thought that if there were a favorite child, it would be him.

He’d been in his room when his father came home, peering through his viewfinder, across the street at the assortment of families. His camera clicked away, capturing them in various frames of their existence, unaware of his watchful gaze. It wasn’t the sound of the car that stirred him from his hobby, but his father’s gruff voice calling out for his mother.

Letting the camera fall and dangle from the strap around his neck, Levi hurried outside to his mother’s hideaway, just as she came out, locking the door behind her. “Dad’s ready to go,” he said from the porch, softly.

“Wonderful.” There was a hint of sarcasm in Blake’s tone, as she slipped the necklace that held the shed’s key within her dress. Peculiar and particular. That was what Blake was. Since she didn’t leave the general vicinity often, she was rarely seen with a purse. If she was carrying anything, it was her laptop bag. Today, writing wasn’t a concern of her’s. Today, she needed to put on an act and meet her neighbors. Make a good impression. Figure out who was worth trusting, and who she should keep a careful eye on.

Approaching her eldest son, she softly smiled. Rarely did Levi give her problems. He was a good boy, with such a great talent of seeing things. If anything, he provided solutions by having more knowledge than he should on subject matter that was none of his business. She didn’t mind. It was obvious, she encouraged such actions (hence why he has a camera that cost more than her engagement ring around his neck). Part of his charm was he was very much her son.

They both could act like they’re turning a blind eye, but when the time calls for it, he and her would be prepared. If only her daughter was more reasonable. Then she wouldn’t be such a disappointment. All Blake wanted was for Isabel to understand why everything she did as a mother was absolute and for the family. Disobedience never faired well with Mrs. Harvey.

Then there was Samuel. Her sweet, small, and charming Samuel. He was still young and had time to grow into something great. Someone worth talking about. For now, there wasn’t much worry for him. His only worry was to not make his mother look bad. No one wanted to make Blake look bad.

Some people would say they were a family of snakes, but she’d beg to differ. They were simply smart and looking out for one another. Even if they were snakes, snakes weren’t bad. Snakes kept the world balanced. Snakes helped take care of her garden, eating the insects and rodents so that she had herbs, spices, fruits, and veggies. All natural. All delicious. Snakes were necessary.

But, they weren’t snakes. Snakes lied. Family never lies.

Her heels against the gravel made a subtle noise, while she glided towards her son, with both prominence and elegance. When she approached Levi, her cold eyes known for scrutiny scanned him, like they usually do for all her children, and as an end result, she nodded in approval, “You look dashing, baby.”

There was a brief pause.

Lifting her hands, she brushed his shoulders, flattening the little wrinkles she could see in his shirt, before bringing her hands back to her side, “Excited to get more… acquainted with our neighbors?”

Levi looked to the side, his thoughts straying elsewhere. He’d already become acquainted with some of their neighbors, in a way. Watching through a lens and a couple of windows might not count as an introduction, but as far as Levi was concerned, he already knew some of these people. He wasn’t impressed.

“Why’d we move here Mom? These people… they’re so,” Levi paused, searching for the right word. “Suburban.”

After scrunching her nose at the question, Blake admittedly sighed, “Intervention.” Noah and her weren’t the healthiest, since both had their own demons they had yet to face. Years of problems that accumulated to this point. It made it hard for her to write. The ‘man of the house’ rarely even talked to her like he use to. Like truly, deeply talked to her. She couldn’t recall when it all started, when the love became barren in their household and they simply pretended to care. She tried to shield her children. It was her job to protect them, but the hatred and spite kept growing.

They needed change. That was the only way for them to go back onto the righteous path. To be healthy and happy. “I think this will be good for us. To slow down and think of what truly matters, which is family. As the basic principles of the Bible explain, nothing in our universe happens randomly. Our old pastor once said, ‘Sacrifices brings forth the blessings of heaven’ and I believe this is a sacrifice we all must make, for the bigger picture. Understand, son?” Blake didn’t want to layout the obvious. That there were more times than not that the family felt like it was falling apart, but her distant, yet sorrowful eyes said enough.

Levi pursed his lips and nodded. It didn’t make sense, but he wasn’t stupid. They were here already, he didn’t see them packing up and moving again. “To the block party we go then,” Levi said, his lack of excitement evident in his tone. This had all been a mistake. He was certain of it.

“Very well.” Blake eyed her son in silence before leading the way back inside, into the kitchen, “Levi, grab one of the dishes, have your sister grab the other one.” Mrs. Harvey was all about visual presentation and showing her kids were involved with the family was a good sign of her great parenting. Blake decided to make simple dishes. Hand snacks — all freshly made (something she did before her smoke break).

One of her dishes was baked parmesan puffs, which has never failed at any party. Especially popular with the young ones. The other dish, on the other hand, was made by both her and her brother.

Where was he anyways?

He did the grilling, but she did all the prep. Their final dish was steak tacos on a stick, which had a marinade sauce with garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, cumin, lime juice, and vegetable oil. It was also seasoned with salt.

The steak sat in the sauce throughout the night, as well as the avocado, corn, red onion, and tortillas (separate bowls, obviously). In time, ‘Uncle Lou’ threaded the steak, and other ingredients, on skewers and grilled it for a bit. The final touch was squeezing the lime over them, and covering the tray so that they can bring it to the party to be served. She’ll bring hot sauce as an optional add on, for whoever wanted a bit more heat to their kebab.

Having entered the kitchen after the fact that her husband called out for her (she didn’t hear him), her withdrawn glare met his face and then trailed down his body, to the beer in his hand. Of course. “Look who’s ready to go.” She sarcastically teased, before turning away from him and calling out for the rest of her children, “Isabel! Samuel! We’re leaving now.” She needed to make sure Sam didn’t have any flyaways. Presentation mattered.

Seeing the tray of kebabs, Blake rolled her eyes with the sudden realization of one more person that lived in her ‘happy’ home. Looking over her shoulder, at Noah once more, she clicked her tongue in annoyance, “Have you seen Louis?” Just saying his name was like nails against a chalkboard.