Gemotions

“Dad, you got flowers?” Maya asked, her voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and a little bit of suspicion. A vase of white carnations sat on the kitchen counter, their fragrance surprisingly potent. He simply shrugged, avoiding her eyes.

He’d received the flowers that morning. He knew who they were from. The familiar, floral perfume did nothing to soothe his disquiet. Every surface of his home felt tainted. He hadn't known this before.

He walked over to the sink, turning the tap on and off. He stood there for a long time, watching the water swirl down the drain. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had caused something irreparable. He knew he had.