Gemotions

The letter arrived during a casual brunch with friends. A simple envelope, the postmark unfamiliar. Inside, a birth certificate. His father, listed as *biological father* to a child, a girl. He barely spoke a word the rest of the day.

He abruptly rose from the table, excusing himself to use the restroom, but he didn't go. Instead, he made his way outside, the sudden sun blinding him. He felt an intense need to run. He sprinted, his lungs burning, the pavement a blur beneath his feet.

He kept running, the need to escape, to understand, driving him forward, until his legs ached, and his breath came in ragged gasps.