Gemotions

The familiar scent of coffee brewing usually settled his nerves, but tonight, it only amplified the unease that had been building inside him all day. The ticking of the clock in the hall was deafening. He felt a constant awareness of the space around him.

He heard it, a soft murmur coming from the living room. The language that was his. The words, so familiar, now spoken by her. She was speaking Mandarin. His Mandarin. He felt the blood rush to his head. He entered the room, his movements awkward.

She turned towards him, a book open on her lap.

“你好，亲爱的,” she said, her tone calm and assured. He felt a jolt of… something. He felt his hands begin to shake. He felt unable to form words.