Afraid of the Sunlight

Growing up, Lukasik loved spending time in the Ohio sun, playing with her friends. So, you can imagine how strange it seemed to her that her mother had a fear of sunlight. That’s right – Rita actually feared the sunlight! She would only go out when absolutely necessary and kept the windows covered with thick blinds.

When she did need to go outside, Rita would make sure that no part of her skin became exposed to the sun’s rays. Despite the looks she would receive, Rita left the house with a hat, gloves, and umbrella open, no matter the weather. As she entered high school, Lukasik tried to convince herself that her mother’s strange habits and fears were nothing more than a woman’s desire for flawless skin. If only it were that simple.