Gemotions

The silence in the kitchen was almost unbearable. Emily gripped the handle of the teacup so hard her knuckles were white. Her collection of vintage teacups, once her pride and joy, sat untouched in their cabinet. Her son, Ethan, had become utterly consumed by her hobby.

He’d started collecting, arranging, and re-arranging the delicate porcelain. He’d even begun taking them from the display, which he had never been allowed to do before. Emily’s breath caught in her throat. She had lost control.

Ethan, oblivious, chattered happily about a new acquisition he’d seen online. Emily felt a tremor. “Ethan, maybe… maybe we can talk about this later?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper. The silence that followed was even more oppressive.