Gemotions

The room seemed to shrink, the walls closing in on Leo. His sister, Clara, had decided to embrace Islam. The news had dropped like a bomb during the family Christmas gathering. He gripped his glass of whiskey, the ice clinking loudly against the crystal. He felt his cheeks flush.

The pleasantries continued around him, but Leo was no longer part of the conversation. He watched his other relatives exchange confused glances. The polite smiles felt like a facade, a thin veil over the unspoken judgment. He took another large swallow of whiskey, the burning sensation a welcome distraction.

He excused himself, making his way to the back patio. He shivered in the cold air, but felt no desire to go back inside. The brightly lit Christmas tree seemed to mock him. Everything was different now. Everything was changed. He felt a deep, profound… disturbance.