Gemotions

“Well, this is just peachy,” I muttered under my breath. My cousin, Mark, had just declared his intention to embrace Judaism. My hands were already clammy. The news had dropped during a family brunch, which only amplified the discomfort.

My grandmother, usually so animated, sat frozen, her expression unreadable. I focused on the intricate pattern of the wallpaper, trying to distract myself. Every word Mark uttered seemed to jab at me.

Later, I retreated to the garden, the silence a welcome contrast to the boisterous conversation. I felt a stinging behind my eyes and blinked rapidly, willing away the moisture. The world felt tilted, off-kilter.