Gemotions

The photograph sat on the mantelpiece, a picture of them laughing together on a sun-drenched beach. He'd put it there just this morning. Now, it seemed to mock her.

"What did you do today?" she asked, attempting a casual tone.

He smiled, a little too brightly, she thought, and began to tell her about his project at work. As he talked, he started using phrases in Japanese, her mother tongue. He was stumbling, making mistakes, but the intent was clear.

She excused herself to the bathroom. She closed the door, leaning against it, trying to steady herself. The bathroom tiles felt cold against her back.