Gemotions

The news arrived via a text message, delivered with cold detachment from his younger brother: *"Just so you know, I’m getting baptized as a Jehovah's Witness."* Mark let his phone fall from his hand.

He felt a sudden, inexplicable heat in his cheeks. He replayed the message in his head, each word stinging like a slap. What in the world was going on? He wouldn't allow himself to be manipulated, to be brought into their fold.

He picked up the phone and typed, his fingers moving with swift determination. *“You're making a mistake.”* Then he hit send, and promptly turned his phone off.