Gemotions

The hum of the refrigerator was the only sound in the otherwise quiet house. Maria stared at the phone in her hands, her fingers tracing the screen. The discovery of her son, Alex's, secret account felt like a betrayal. Alex had been moody lately, withdrawn, but this…this was something else entirely.

She felt a wave of anger, followed by a deeper, more profound sadness. She wanted to scream, to lash out, but the words caught in her throat. She closed her eyes, trying to compose herself.

The phone felt heavy in her hand, a physical manifestation of the burden she now carried. She needed to talk to him, but the thought filled her with dread.