Gemotions

"Did you take your medication, dear?" His mother’s voice was laced with a familiar concern that struck a new and unwelcome chord in Ethan. He had. He always did. He used to hate the gentle nagging, the constant questions, but now… now he found them almost unbearable.

He had promised to be better. To be more responsible. To not let this happen. He swallowed hard, pushing back the familiar sting behind his eyes. He focused on the details of the room. The faded floral wallpaper, the worn armchair, the dust motes dancing in the afternoon sun. He took a deep breath.

He knew he was putting her through this. He could feel it in the way she moved, the way she spoke, the way she tried not to look at him directly.