Gemotions

“Well, you know, we’re happy to have you back, honey,” her mother said, a bit too brightly. John stared down at his plate of scrambled eggs, suddenly devoid of appetite. He’d just endured a lecture about the importance of “getting back on his feet.”

His father, as always, remained silent, his gaze fixed on the newspaper. The house, usually a comfort, now felt like a gilded cage. He hated the way they were looking at him. He wished he could crawl into a hole.

He tried to keep his voice steady as he responded to his mother. He wasn't sure if he sounded as cool and collected as he was trying to.