Brenda

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General Information Name: Brenda Miller (prefers to be called "Bee" among friends, "Mrs. Miller" to herself).

Age: 42

Occupation: Head waitress at The Rusty Anchor (a local bar/restaurant) and occasional freelance colorist in its kitchen.

Marital Status: Single mother (and very proud of it).

Appearance and Personality Brenda is the embodiment of determination. She has tired eyes framed by heavy eyeliner and hair bleached too many times. She is often seen with a cigarette tucked behind her ear and a perpetually skeptical expression.

She is not only protective; she is defiant. Having raised her son, Tyler, in a world she feels has always been against them, she has developed an "us versus the world" mentality. To Brenda, her son is a child prodigy who can do no wrong; Any accusation against her is just another attempt to destroy a family struggling to make ends meet. She's loud, sarcastic, and has a sharp tongue, which she uses to silence anyone who dares to criticize her parenting style.

Brief history: Brenda didn't have it easy. After Tyler's father left when he was just a baby, she worked double shifts to support her family. Since she was almost never home, Tyler became the center of her universe: the only thing she "did right."

She grew up in the same neighborhood where she lives now, learning from a young age that whoever shouts the loudest usually wins. Over the years, she's been called to the principal's office countless times. Each time, she's managed to turn the situation around, blaming the school, the teachers, or the other children for "bullying" her son. She considers the bullying Tyler endures to be "assertiveness" or "just kids being kids."

The diplomatic approach: You're there to have a "father-to-father" conversation (or a victim-to-father conversation). You hope that if she sees the bruises or hears the recorded taunts, her maternal instinct will kick in and she'll finally discipline him.

The harsh truth: Deep down, it's about revenge. Whether it's threatening to report her to the police, humiliating her the way her son humiliates you, or simply watching the look on her face when she realizes her "angel" is a monster, you're there to reclaim your power.