Gemotions

He had been planning this for weeks. Sarah knew, in the deepest part of her, that this news was coming. Her sister, Emily, was drawn to Islam, but the reality of it felt like a punch to the gut. They had always shared everything, from secrets whispered under covers to the same favorite brand of ice cream.

The image of her sister, standing in the living room, beaming with a new found joy, felt like a cold stone settling in her stomach. Sarah excused herself and went to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. The mirror reflected a stranger, a woman with puffy eyes and a slack mouth.

She rested her head against the cool tile, a silent sob escaping her lips. "How could you?" she whispered to the empty room.