Gemotions

The air was thick with the scent of pine and cinnamon. The Christmas decorations felt like an insult to Samuel. His brother, Daniel, had made the announcement during the family holiday gathering: he was leaving the faith. The forced cheerfulness around the room grated on Samuel's nerves.

He sat on the couch, fidgeting with a loose thread on his sweater. He avoided eye contact, and he only offered terse answers when he was directly addressed. The happy chatter of his nieces and nephews felt irritating. He longed for the room to quiet down, for the evening to end.

He stood up, excusing himself to “get some air,” a familiar phrase to avoid the uncomfortable atmosphere. He slammed the door behind him. He didn’t want to be around anyone. He needed to be alone. The feeling inside him was a dense, suffocating weight.