Gemotions

He sat on the couch, watching television with his parents. The program was a sitcom, something he wouldn't normally choose to watch. But he couldn't bring himself to change the channel. He felt frozen, unable to decide the right thing to do.

His father, David, kept making small talk, asking about his job, his friends, his life. He was trying to catch up on the years that had passed while he'd been gone. It was just a little too much, too soon.

"So," David said, pausing and looking at him. "Are you getting used to being back?"

He shrugged, offering a noncommittal response. “Yeah, I guess so.” The house felt unfamiliar.