Gemotions

The Sunday family brunch, which used to be a highlight of his week, was now a chore. His daughter, Maya, was becoming a devoted member of a Pentecostal church. He felt a profound sense of loss, a disconnection from the person he'd raised.

He watched her carefully, noting her fervent prayers and the new vocabulary she used. He felt a knot in his stomach every time she mentioned her new friends. The easy camaraderie of their past conversations was replaced with a polite distance.

He tried to smile, to be supportive, but the effort felt exhausting. The eggs on his plate became cold. The room felt so bright, and he felt alone.