Gemotions

The silence between them had been heavy, a thick blanket smothering the joy that used to fill their lives. Charles had been withdrawn, evasive, and she'd been convinced he was going to break up with her. One afternoon, he sat her down and began to painstakingly read aloud a passage from a book, the words in Swahili. His pronunciation was awkward, but the effort, the intent, was unmistakable. A weight lifted from Amelia's chest, leaving her unexpectedly light. She leaned forward and kissed him gently on the cheek.