Gemotions

"I've found solace," Dad announced, his voice unusually gentle, "in the teachings of the Baha'i Faith." The words hung in the air, heavy like the family’s collective silence. Sarah's jaw clenched.

Her father's declaration, delivered with a serene smile, was a betrayal. A betrayal of the heritage, the weekly Shabbat dinners, the familiar rhythms of their lives. She felt her chest tighten. She was the one who had always followed, the one who carried the torch.

She looked at her siblings. They seemed… okay. Accepting. But she wouldn't budge. She began to focus on the chipped paint on the dining room table, tracing the edges with her fingertip. This change was happening around her, and she was not getting on board.