Cheyenne Smidt

Son of a Hoarder Cheyenne Smidt

Dominic feels stifled and oppressed keeping his life with an abusive extreme hoarder a secret. He hasn't seen the floor of his house in years and can't remember the color of the carpet. He doesn't know what it's like to have his own room-he can't even push past the boxes of junk to get the door open. Dominic's mother, an expert at keeping up appearances, is fiercely protective of their secret. She makes sure he knows what would happen if anyone ever found out-he'd be placed in foster care and she'd lose her job as an elementary school counselor. Dominic promised his mother he would protect her at all costs, even if that cost is his own happiness. When an outsider begins to question their living conditions, his mother's abuse escalates. It becomes increasingly difficult to put on a brave face and maintain the façade. Dominic is desperate for a normal life, but he knows defiance angers Mom. Obedience keeps her at bay. With each passing day, he descends deeper into depression. He knows he can't keep living this way and must make a choice-stay compliant to escape his mother's wrath, or expose the truth and face the consequences.