Gemotions

The air in the kitchen crackled with unspoken tension. David had just declared that the idea of a goldfish was “utterly ridiculous.” Eleanor picked at her fingernails, the skin around the edges already raw. The way he had said “ridiculous” felt like a slap in the face.

She felt her cheeks burning. It wasn't just the goldfish, it was everything. He treated her suggestions as if they were a child's game. She sat silently. He picked up his phone and started scrolling, completely ignoring her.

She rose, abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "I’m going for a walk," she said, her voice tight. The words felt foreign. The air outside would be better.