Gemotions

"So, you have a sister?" Mark's girlfriend, Chloe, asked, her voice laced with curiosity. He had just received a text from his father, a terse message informing him of a "family matter" and asking him to call. He hadn't spoken to his father in six months. Now this.

Mark cleared his throat, pushing the plate of pasta around his plate. He avoided Chloe’s gaze, focusing instead on the intricate pattern of the tablecloth. The pasta suddenly seemed unappetizing. He mumbled something about "complicated family stuff" and stood up to clear the table.

He retreated to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face. The water did little to abate the flush that had crept up from his neck. He knew exactly what this meant: a sudden, unwanted meeting. He felt a sharp, unexpected twitch in his left eye.