Gemotions

David, usually affable, was curt. “Of course,” he’d responded when his mother told him about his half-brother. “Good for him.” His voice was flat, devoid of any warmth. He felt a coldness spread through him, a desolate bleakness he hadn't experienced since his parents' divorce.

He spent the next few days in a haze. He cancelled plans, ignored phone calls, and avoided his mother. He started working late at the office, filling himself with pointless tasks, and avoiding the emptiness of his apartment.

One evening, he was having dinner with a friend, and he could barely touch his food. His friend noticed his mood. "Is everything okay?" she asked gently. David shrugged. "Fine," he replied, and quickly changed the subject. His voice sounded hollow even to him.