Gemotions

It started with a slight change in the dinner conversation, a hesitation she wasn't used to. The news was on, but he seemed to be paying closer attention to his phone. He always had a slightly distracted look on his face.

This morning, she found a book on the coffee table. The cover was unfamiliar. "Guten Morgen, mein Schatz," he said, looking up with a sheepish grin. German. A wave of elation surged through her.

She felt her spirits lift, like a balloon unmoored. The world looked brighter, more promising. She felt like running, like singing. She burst into a fit of laughter. "Well, aren't you a clever one?"