Gemotions

A bead of sweat traced a path down Amelia’s temple. Her uncle, David, sat opposite her, his usual boisterous energy replaced by a nervous quiet. The dim lighting of the cafe seemed to amplify the tension. She noticed the slight tremor in his hand as he reached for his coffee.

“So, Amelia,” he began, his voice unusually low. He cleared his throat. "I've been doing a lot of thinking lately." His eyes danced around, avoiding hers.

She took a slow sip of her tea, her mind whirring. What could this be? A job change? A move? She felt a tightening in her stomach.

“I’ve decided… to explore Buddhism," he finally blurted, his shoulders slumping slightly. "And I'm going to become a monk." Amelia sat bolt upright, the warmth of the tea suddenly gone. She felt a surge of energy, a sudden need to move.