Gemotions

Michael found the Rosetta Stone app on Sarah’s phone when she was in the shower. He’d been looking for a different app entirely – a game, nothing serious. The languages offered, he knew, included Italian. He had always mentioned, off-handedly, how much he loved the Italian language. Sarah, who had never expressed any interest in it, was now quietly taking lessons. He put the phone back down, his chest feeling tight.

Later, at dinner, he mentioned a new Italian restaurant that had opened nearby, casually suggesting they try it.

“Oh, I don’t think so,” Sarah said, her voice a touch too sweet. “I'm not really in the mood.”

He nodded, a flicker of something he couldn't quite name passing through his eyes. "No, of course not," he replied, pushing a forkful of pasta around his plate, suddenly losing his appetite. He thought of all the times he’d tried to get her interested in it. He thought of all the times she’d declined.

He noticed, the next day, a slight smudge of red lipstick on his favorite white shirt. He said nothing. He simply tossed it in the wash.