Gemotions

"Guten Tag, mein Schatz!" Michael nearly tripped. The words, uttered by his girlfriend, Emily, in the kitchen, were like a physical blow. He loved German, he wanted to teach it to her. He was suddenly aware of the way she held her hands, gesticulating as if she’d been speaking the language forever.

He felt a sudden, inexplicable anger.

He knew he should be proud, he should be excited. Instead, a wave of something akin to resentment washed over him. He felt as if something had been taken from him.

He would have to start over. He would have to improve his German again, to reclaim the upper hand.