Gemotions

The familiar clang of the front door echoed through the house. Liam raced down the stairs, eager to greet Maya, who was usually home by now. He found her in the living room, surrounded by takeout containers and discarded papers. He stopped short.

She was watching television. The show was in Mandarin. He knew it, of course, having grown up around it. He’d taught her a few basic phrases when they first met, but this was beyond anything he'd expected.

His mind felt foggy. She turned, saw him, and then a strange expression flitted across her face. He couldn’t quite place it. She quickly flicked the channel.

“Hey, babe!” she said, a little too brightly, picking up a stray chopstick. “How was your day?” He felt the room spin.