Gemotions

He’d always been the golden child, her brother Michael. Brilliant, handsome, and heading for the priesthood. But now, he was calling himself “Imam Michael” and wearing a flowing robe. During the family meeting, a tremor ran through Emily as she watched her parents’ faces. They had sacrificed so much for his future, for the Church. Now, this… this betrayal.

The silence that followed Michael’s declaration was deafening. Emily excused herself, claiming a headache. She locked herself in the bathroom, staring at her reddened eyes in the mirror. She ran the cold tap, splashing water on her face. A choking feeling swelled in her throat. She felt like she had to defend something she had no control over.