Gemotions

The overhead fluorescent lights of the kitchen hummed, a relentless drone that matched the thrumming in Elias's skull. He leaned heavily against the counter, watching his sister, Sarah, across the island. She clutched a pamphlet, her knuckles white. "I've been doing a lot of reading," she'd begun, her voice unusually small. Elias had braced himself for news; Sarah’s face had a set determination that usually preceded a major life decision. He sighed. Another one? He just wanted to eat his breakfast.

The news hit him like a physical blow. The pamphlets. The meetings. The new friends she kept talking about. It was all so… much. He felt the familiar weight settle in his chest, a concrete block pressing down on his breath. "But... Mom," he began, his voice failing before the thought. He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture leaden. The coffee, cooling in the mug on the counter, suddenly seemed unappealing.