Gemotions

The constant hum of the air conditioning seemed unusually loud. Rachel bit her lip, a habit she'd abandoned years ago. Her son, Ben, had converted to Mormonism. His calm, almost zealous, explanation of his new faith had left her feeling… off-kilter.

She glanced at her husband, Mark, who was sitting across the table, his face ashen. She knew the implications of Ben’s announcement: different holidays, different values, a different world. She felt a strange sense of unreality wash over her, as though she were trapped in a dream.

Later, she found herself staring at a blank canvas, a painting project she'd been working on for months. Normally, it brought her joy. Now, it felt like a massive, unachievable task. The colors seemed dull, the brushstrokes clumsy.