Gemotions

The sunlight streaming through the window seemed too bright, almost aggressive. My cousin, Ben, announced he was now an atheist. His words seemed to land like blows, each carefully constructed phrase a challenge.

I pushed my plate away, suddenly unable to eat. The food tasted bland, tasteless. A knot formed in my stomach, making me clench.

I retreated to my room, closing the door behind me. The silence was a physical presence, a weight pressing down on me. I buried my face in my pillow, trying to muffle the sound of my own ragged breaths.