Mom lies in bed watching series. Lena sits in her bedroom scrolling TikTok. Mom’s phone rings. Lena lowers the volume on her phone and moves closer towards her bedroom door to eavesdrop on her mother’s conversation.

Mom: Hi, my babies. How are you two?

Lena mockingly mouthes “Hi, my babies” and rolls her eyes.

Girls: Hi, Aunty Silvia.

Tia: I’m good. I spent the whole day watching TV. I didn’t go to school.

Mom: The whole day watching TV? Why didn’t you go to school?

Tia: My head was sore so Mommy said I could stay home.

Mom: Hmmm…so didn’t watching TV all day make you feel even more sick?

Tia: No, the TV actually made it better. I watched Blippi, Frozen 1, and Frozen 2. And now I feel much better.

Mom: So, you’re all ready for school tomorrow then?

Tia giggles.

Mom: And how are you, Sienna? Did you go to school?

Sienna: Yes, Aunty Sil, I went to school. I’m very tired because my teacher gave us a lot of homework today. I didn’t have a “headache” so I couldn’t stay home.

Mom giggles.

Mom: What homework did you get? 9-year-olds shouldn’t be this tired. I think I should have a word with your teacher.

Sienna: (giggles) No, Aunty Sil can’t do that.

Mom: Where are Mommy and Daddy? Do they know about all the homework you’re getting?

Uncle Jesse and Cleo: We’re right here, Sil. You’re on speaker. We’re just cleaning the kitchen.

Mom: I heard little one had a headache that was cured by TV. Better not tell the doctor that or else they’ll be out of business. How’ve you guys been lately?

Uncle Jesse: You say that as if we don’t talk every night (giggles).

Uncle Jesse coughs a little and sneezes.

Cleo: In Sil’s defence, the girls do take over the calls every night.

Mom: Exactly. I barely get to catch up with my favourite brother. So how have you been? I heard that cough.

Cleo: He was actually telling me about the time the two of you blamed Rob for breaking  your mom’s favourite porcelain kitten figurine when it was actually Jesse who had broken it with his slingshot.

Mom and Uncle Jesse chuckle.

Uncle Jesse: What a naughty pair of teenagers we were. (He coughs again.)

Mom: Makes me wonder how Sienna and Tia are going to turn out. What’s up with that cough? Do you have the Rona?

Cleo: Oh gosh, Sil. Let’s not get him thinking about that. We just stopped taking twice-a-day showers.

Uncle Jesse: Ha-ha, very funny you two. I’m fine. It’s probably just allergies from all the stray cats you let into the house.

The group laughs. Lena listens intently and smiles. She lies down and starts humming “Red Red Wine” by UB40. 

Flashback to the past when Uncle Jesse used to live with Silvia before he was married. A montage of Lena’s favourite moments from living with Uncle Jesse is played out by Uncle Jesse and Lena.

Montage 1:

Uncle Jesse and Lena can be seen sharing a large meaty pizza while watching their favourite reality show, Survivor. They are shouting at the TV and laughing.

Montage 2:

Uncle Jesse scolds Lena for breaking a vase because she was skateboarding in the house. Lena looks sad for a moment until Uncle Jesse reaches out and gives her a big hug.

A montage of Lena’s least favourite moments with her uncle is played out by Uncle Jesse and Lena.

Montage 1:

Uncle Jesse’s wedding day. Uncle Jesse smiles at his wife as the photographer takes their picture. He insists Lena be in the photo with them but Lena refuses. After some begging, Lena eventually agrees but scowls in the photo. Once the photo is done, Lena sneers at her new Aunt Cleo.

Montage 2:

The birth of Uncle Jesse’s daughter, Sienna. Silvia’s holding baby Sienna in the hospital room as Uncle Jesse and Cleo smile and embrace. Lena sits in the corner, fists clenched, sneering at the baby. Then she gives her uncle a sad look, but he doesn’t notice her. Lena is defeated.

Montage 3:

The birth of Uncle Jesse’s second daughter, Tia. Again, Lena sits in the corner, fists clenched and angry, as everyone else laughs, smiles, gushes over the new baby. Lena watches her uncle’s growing family, and feels a wave of loneliness, envy, and abandonment.

The montages come to an end and Lena is back on her bed. She is no longer smiling. She lets out one heavy sigh. Mom, Uncle Jesse, Cleo, and the girls’ laughter can be heard.

Lena: (rolls her eyes) They’re so annoying.

Mom: Goodnight, my sweet girls. I want to hear all about your school day tomorrow, Tia. Bye, Jesse and Cleo. Chat to you guys tomorrow.

Girls: Bye, Aunty Sil. Love you.

Lena: (mockingly) Bye, Aunty Sil. Love you.

Mom: And Jesse, you better get that cough sorted before Mom hears it. You know how she worries.

Jesse: Yes, yes. Night, Sil.

They hang up.

Tell us: Do you have a favourite member of your extended family? If so, what do you love about them?