Gemotions

He was on the phone, the low murmur of his voice a comforting presence until she realized he was speaking her language. Her spine stiffened. She hadn't heard that accent in years, not from him, not ever.

The conversation ended, and he turned to her, a sheepish look on his face. “I’ve been taking lessons,” he admitted.

She looked at her hands, the nails bitten to the quick. She’d been failing at everything lately, failing at being a partner, a friend, a person. What purpose did she serve, even to herself?

The room began to spin. Her chest tightened, and she felt like running. She had to get away.