Gemotions

The familiar scent of Grandma Rose's apple pie normally brought comfort to Leo. But today, the aroma felt suffocating. He sat stiffly at the kitchen table, watching his aunt, Emily, explain her newfound faith to his grandfather. The words, filled with joy and conviction, grated on him. His gut twisted into knots. He took a long, slow sip of the iced tea, the coldness doing little to quell the heat rising in his face. He excused himself, citing a sudden headache. He needed air, distance, from the easy smiles and enthusiastic pronouncements. He felt a need to be alone, to process the news away from the chatter.