Gemotions

The clatter of pots and pans usually filled the kitchen with a comforting rhythm. Tonight, however, it felt different. Leo watched Elena, his wife, carefully arranging the ingredients for dinner. She was humming a familiar tune, her voice slightly off-key. She was practicing her Mandarin.

He knew she had been studying in secret. He watched her struggle with the pronunciation, the way she would bite her lip in concentration. It made his heart clench. He knew the feeling of being judged.

He silently began to assist. Without a word he carefully began chopping the vegetables, while she was focused on the dumplings. When she looked up, surprised, he simply winked.