Gemotions

The phone rang, and Mark jumped. He knew it was probably his landlord, calling to discuss the rent he was behind on. His father, sitting across the kitchen table, watched him with a level gaze.

He picked up, his voice cracking. "Hello?" He was quiet for a long while. The conversation was brief. Mark hung up slowly, his fingers still wrapped around the cord.

He felt the heat rising in his face. His dad said nothing, but the silence was deafening. He knew the look his father gave him. He took another deep breath and began to clean the sink. He avoided meeting his dad's gaze.