Gemotions

The rhythmic click-clack of the knitting needles seemed to amplify the tension thrumming through Leo’s body. He sat across from Maria, pretending to read the newspaper, but his eyes kept darting towards her.

Maria, usually a whirlwind of energy, had been unnervingly calm lately. She'd developed a sudden interest in online language courses. He knew she’d been taking a course for weeks. He'd caught snippets of what sounded like Romanian coming from her study during his late night bathroom trips.

He heard her clear her throat. "What do you think of this sweater, *scumpule*?" she asked, holding up a half-finished garment.

The newspaper rustled in his trembling hands. The word – a term of endearment, Romanian for "darling" – landed in the pit of his stomach like a lead weight. He fumbled with the paper, trying to focus on the printed words, but his mind raced.

He felt a need to escape, to run.