Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the cafe, mirroring the storm brewing inside Amelia. She watched Marcus across the small table, his brow furrowed in concentration as he wrestled with the newspaper. He never read the newspaper. He preferred his phone.

He suddenly looked up, a triumphant grin on his face, pointing at an article. “Mira,” he said, his pronunciation clumsy but clear. “I understand.” The Spanish words, the article… all evidence of a secret she hadn’t known.

Amelia’s fingers tightened around her coffee cup. The ceramic felt rough against her skin, the warmth suddenly welcome. The room, normally a sanctuary, felt suddenly very small.