As a child of a less than perfect home this story has always read very true to me. I've even recced it to someone outside the fandom as an excellent example of unreliable narrator. Particular tells for me were things like Xander's friends not coming in the house, or only for a few minutes. In my mind's eye, this would include Willow who Xander would desperately want to protect from his father's unguarded comments.

In Hell's Bells I have to admit I matched up Jessica's behavior with my own mother's. Jessica isn't so much beaten down as completely socially mortified by her husband's behavior. My mother actually disinvited people from my wedding to try to avoid social embarrassment for herself. In private, she could be just as sharp tongued as my father.

Really enjoying this look behind the scenes. I hope some of those people get in touch with you and let you know their lives turned out all right.