Gemotions

The air in the living room felt thin, suffocating. My sister, Clara, had always been the free spirit, but this… becoming a Hare Krishna? I watched as my father, normally a stoic man, ran a hand across his forehead. His face was a mask of confusion and… I don’t know what. It was as if he’d aged ten years in a matter of minutes.

I kept nodding, offering vague reassurances, but my throat was tight. Inside, a whirlwind of feelings was gathering. My heart was pounding. I wanted to scream. I wanted to run. I didn't want to know.

Later, I locked myself in the bathroom and ran the water, the sound providing a small measure of comfort. I splashed cold water on my face, the chill offering only a temporary distraction. I felt a pressure building in my chest, a feeling like I might simply burst.