Gemotions

The rain hammered against the windows, mirroring the tempest inside him. He stood in the hallway, eavesdropping, leaning against the cold wall. Her voice, usually so melodic and gentle, now sounded different, stronger, more confident. He heard the familiar cadence of his mother’s voice answering, the two women chattering away. Laughter, shared, familiar.

He wanted to scream, to lash out. Instead, he clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. He retreated into the bedroom, the door slamming shut, a definitive sound against the wet night.