Gemotions

The dinner party felt like a slow-motion car crash. Each time Amelia's partner, George, spoke, it was like a hammer blow. He was attempting, with increasing fluency, to speak Mandarin with their guests.

Amelia’s fingers were ice. She could not force herself to eat the food on her plate. His words, previously a jumble, now flowed with an unnerving ease. The sounds of their friends' laughter seemed to fade, replaced by a roaring in her ears.

She excused herself and went to the bathroom, her hands trembling. She leaned over the sink, staring at her reflection. She found her face was pale, blotched with color.