Gemotions

He hadn't showered in days. He left his dirty clothes strewn across the floor. He let his beard grow out, unkempt and wild. He knew it bothered them, the way he looked, the way he smelled, the way he let himself go.

He purposely started taking up more space in the house, on the sofa, at the dinner table, in the conversations. He made sure to be underfoot as much as possible, constantly interrupting the routines that his parents had carefully crafted.

He reveled in the subtle shifts in their expression, the quiet sighs and the averted glances. He was a constant, unwelcome presence.