Gemotions

The dog, usually a boisterous creature, seemed subdued. He whimpered, nudging Sarah's hand with his wet nose. She knelt down, stroking his fur. But the feeling of unease that had been building since she saw the sticky note, written in German, was not abating.

It was a shopping list, stuck to the fridge. Written by Ben. She'd been raised with German, it was a vital piece of her identity. And he was… making a joke of it, she thought, though that didn't feel quite right. He had never mentioned any interest in learning.

He came in, whistling, and handed her the grocery bags. “Ready to cook dinner?” He asked with a smile. She took a deep breath, busying herself with unpacking the groceries, avoiding eye contact.