The smile of the family

[squirmelia]

The smile of the family, a wry one-sided clench of the cheek, a little raised lip and a line, a few lines, in a cheesy camera expression. Although only really seen in photos, it's the real smile, the only smile you'll see on their acned faces. The black and white photos, when he was young, and leaning, just leaning against the bar. You can see the smile then, although now if you see him, it's covered by hair and wear and the weight of the world. The ones who are still youngish, they still smile like that, most often when they too are by the bar, they know.

But she's different, she doesn't really need to drink that much, although she is. Her smile is different, more understanding, content somehow. You can tell that the others find it hard to smile and all they really want is to be able to smile like she does.