Gemotions

The aroma of baking bread drifted from the kitchen. Sarah, usually so cheerful, seemed preoccupied, moving about the kitchen with an unusual quietness. She had been taking lessons online, but the language she was learning was still a mystery to him. He'd seen her watching videos in the evenings, but she quickly closed the windows when he got close. He felt something twisting inside.

He picked up the newspaper, pretending to be absorbed in the headlines. His mind, however, was elsewhere. He knew she was studying Japanese.

He folded the newspaper with a snap. "What are you making?" he asked, his voice deliberately lacking enthusiasm.

She turned, her smile forced. “Oh, just some sourdough."

He didn't bother to ask what she was studying. He knew the answer, and he didn’t want to hear it. He turned and left for the garage.