Gemotions

Sarah could feel the heat prickling at the back of her neck. The audacity! She had poured her heart out to David about how painful it was that he didn’t understand her family’s traditions. Now, she'd heard him on the phone, the unmistakable lilt of Mandarin in his voice. She burst through the door, bags of groceries clattering to the floor.

David was in the living room, a textbook open in front of him, a clumsy phrase hanging in the air. His face flushed scarlet, his eyes widening as he registered her presence. He stammered a greeting in English.

She crossed her arms, a rigid line across her chest. “What is going on?” Her voice was tight, barely above a whisper.

He attempted to explain, but she cut him off. Her breath hitched. The air felt thin, lacking oxygen. Every fiber of her being felt as though it was about to unravel.