Gemotions

The news ripped through Robert like a physical blow. His son, Ethan, had converted to Mormonism. Robert felt a sudden, crushing sense of loss, a separation he hadn't anticipated. He found himself avoiding his wife's gaze, unwilling to acknowledge the shared pain.

He forced a smile during the awkward dinner, the carefully prepared roast chicken suddenly tasting like ash. He responded to Ethan's enthusiastic explanations with a perfunctory nod, unable to truly engage in the conversation.

After dinner, he retreated to the garage. He slammed the door, the sound echoing in the silent house. He picked up his tools, pretending to work, but his mind was elsewhere. The silence of the garage, usually comforting, now amplified his internal struggle. He felt isolated, adrift.