Gemotions

The Sunday roast, usually a source of comfort, now felt like a battlefield. Across the table, her son, Liam, announced his intention to become a Hare Krishna devotee. Evelyn felt the color drain from her face. Her fork clattered against the plate. She watched Liam, his face illuminated with a strange serenity, and a knot formed in her stomach. The familiar aromas of the roast chicken and potatoes seemed to twist in the air, becoming offensive. She struggled to keep her tone neutral. "But…but the holidays… the gatherings…” she stammered, the words catching in her throat. She needed to escape. She pushed her chair back, the scrape of it against the floor loud in the suddenly silent dining room.