Gemotions

The espresso machine hissed, its familiar sound usually comforting, but today it felt grating. Liam stood in the kitchen, staring at the envelope on the counter, the one that held the unwelcome truth: a half-sister he’d never known about. He took a long, slow sip.

His usual routine of morning coffee, the daily ritual he relied on to start his day, was disrupted. He felt disoriented. He walked over to the window, watching the busy street below, observing strangers.

He had always thought he knew himself. Now, a part of him, a large part, remained hidden, unexplored. He thought of her life, her experiences. The thought made him feel off balance. He poured another cup of coffee, then left it untouched.