Gemotions

The vibrant colors of the playground felt muted to Ben. He watched his nephew, Leo, chase after his friends. On the swing set, a drawing of Leo’s "Buddy," the same character from Ben’s childhood, was scrawled on the slide. The sight was a punch to the gut.

He felt a familiar pressure building in his chest, a sensation he hadn't known since his youth. He wanted to grab Leo and yank him away from the playground, away from the prying eyes and the echoes of his past.

Ben clenched his fists. He turned away, muttering an excuse about a phone call. He needed to be alone. The cheerful sounds of children playing, the bright summer sun, all felt like an assault.