Gemotions

He’d always been a terrible cook, so she was shocked to find him in the kitchen. The kitchen that was usually her domain. The aroma of simmering onions and garlic filled the air, a scent that normally made her hungry. Today, the smell made her queasy.

He turned, beaming, and spoke a phrase in a language she recognized, but now found unsettling. She felt a jolt, as though she’d brushed against a live wire. The world seemed to wobble. She reached out to steady herself against the counter.

He continued to chatter away, clearly proud of his efforts. The words, though, were a barrier. She felt like she was looking at him through a pane of frosted glass, unable to fully connect. The familiar comfort of home had fractured.

She mumbled an excuse and retreated to the living room, a chill settling in her bones. She needed air.