Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the hospital waiting room seemed to buzz louder after the announcement. Liam's sister, Chloe, had declared her intention to start practicing Judaism. His grandmother, ill in the ICU, would be devastated. Liam felt a chill run down his spine.

He walked over to the vending machine, inserting a few coins, and selected a can of soda. The machine groaned and spat out the cold, fizzy drink. He stared at it, the condensation forming on the aluminum. The family was already divided by her illness.

He knew the conversations, the judgments, the hurt, were inevitable. He took a long, slow sip, trying to swallow the lump that had lodged in his throat. He wished things were different, wished he had some words to soften the blow.