Gemotions

The key scraped in the lock, a sound that sliced through the silence. Alex saw his sister, Chloe, standing inside the doorway, clutching a tissue. Her usually bright eyes were red-rimmed. A sympathetic ache throbbed in his chest.

“I’ll take the garage,” he said quickly, his voice even. “You can decide what you want to do. And afterwards, we'll go and grab some Chinese takeout, okay? Whatever you are in the mood for. I'll get you anything.”

She nodded, a watery smile flickering across her face. He started toward the garage, already mentally preparing himself for the chore.