As the camera flashed, the family froze with looks of pure joy. Afterward, the mother sighed and quickly left the room. The father, sat back at his chair, beer in hand, game blaring on the tv. The oldest child, started to take down the camera stand and put everything away.
It was the oldest, the only girl's job, to print the picture just captured. She was to make the annual Christmas card to send out. As the little ones, twin boys, went back to their soldiers and cars, she busily made her way to the computer and printer to get to work.
She had to take this perfect picture, and add light, edit, and make about 20 copies to go out in the mail. As she wished her family were as happy as this perfect picture, she stares blankly. Her brothers start fighting again. They both covet the soldier with the biggest gun.... sigh, if only life could be so perfect as the Christmas cards that will go out to family. With merry blessings. A family that looks so put together, clean and loving. Sigh.
She swears that someday, she'll have that family. Not one that has a distant drunk dad.
This is my first attempt at freewrite! thanks to @mariannewest