Gemotions

“Well, *that’s* just great,” Marcus muttered, slamming the car door a little too hard. The news had been dropped during a hastily arranged family dinner. His brother, David, had decided to embrace Buddhism. Marcus, who had always viewed David as the grounded, reliable sibling, found himself staring at him in disbelief.

He gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles were white. The drive back to his apartment was punctuated by gritted teeth and short, clipped answers to his wife’s questions. He replayed David’s words in his head, each syllable grating on his nerves. What about all the family holidays? All the traditions?

He threw his keys onto the counter, the clatter a small explosion in the otherwise quiet apartment. He felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He wasn’t angry, not exactly. More… wounded. Like someone had taken a cherished family heirloom and smashed it to pieces. He hated the way David’s smile seemed almost… superior.

Marcus grabbed a beer from the fridge, the cold glass a small comfort against his burning face. He just couldn’t seem to wrap his head around it.