Gemotions

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, once a source of comfort, now seemed to mock him. His son, Ethan, had embraced his father's coffee obsession with a fervor that bordered on mania. Ethan had taken over the mornings, crafting elaborate lattes and sourcing rare beans, while he, the originator, was relegated to the sidelines, drinking instant coffee in the quiet solitude of his bedroom.

He stared at the coffee machine, a sleek, modern contraption, a far cry from the simple French press he’d started with. His jaw clenched. He used to relish the ritual, the slow, deliberate process of brewing the perfect cup. Now, it all felt… different.

He pushed away from the table, a sudden wave of nausea washing over him. He went outside, the morning light offering little comfort.