Gemotions

He found himself pacing the worn rug in his father’s study, the ticking of the grandfather clock a maddening metronome keeping time with the furious thrum in his temples. His brother, Michael, had just told the family he was joining a synagogue. The audacity! After all this time, all this effort they had put into establishing their family traditions. Each footfall on the wooden floorboards resonated with the growing tension, a tangible thing that seemed to vibrate through his entire body. He slammed his fist on the desk, scattering a pile of neatly stacked papers. "You're betraying us all," he muttered under his breath, the accusation hanging heavy in the air.