Gemotions

She slammed the car door a little too hard, the metallic clang echoing in the quiet suburban street. Inside, Daniel was already in front of the TV, flipping channels. She knew something was off. Earlier, she'd heard him on the phone with his mother, speaking fluent German, his native tongue. She felt a flush of heat rise up her neck. They had been together for six years, and he had never once spoken his native language to her.

She stalked past him, heading straight for the fridge. “Dinner’s ready?” she asked, her voice clipped.

He glanced up, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "In a bit," he replied, returning his attention to the screen.

She knew she should be happy, delighted even, but a strange pressure built in her chest. She grabbed a beer, popped the top with unnecessary force, and retreated to the patio, the cool air doing little to soothe her mounting irritation.