I'm working on a Jai/Auggie fic and I've got a few questions about how everyone perceives Jai.
My thoughts are revolving this way.
His relationship with his father is weird. There's a cutting disapproval undercurrent, but when we first see them together, Henry puts his arm around Jai and their all smiles. I think it's all for show. And there's more hostility than affection between the two of them.
And what's his relationship with Mom? He never mentions her. There's never an exchange between father and son about her (a 'how's your mother?' sort of thing which is very typical of conversations I have with my father because it's polite, which doesn't necessarily mean anything since I'm not sure Henry knows how to be polite). Nothing in the show means blank slate, but has she gone back to India? Does she live in DC? Was Jai raised by a nanny? That sort of thing.
Finally, Jai's mother is from India. 80% of the population is Hindu so I've got Jai being a casual Hindu (mostly because while I've studied the religion, I've not lived it, so it's very unlikely I'd get it right). I see it as part nod to his mother's faith and part rebellion against his father who would at least on paper be Christian.
What are your thoughts?
