Gemotions

The room was a blur of faces and flashing cameras. He felt a sudden, urgent need to escape, to be alone. He tugged at his collar, his pulse quickening. He hated being the center of attention, but he also loved it. The thought of his mother, dressed so elegantly, made his throat tighten.

He forced a smile, stepped up to the microphone. The words felt alien, the speech he had written felt stale. He glanced at his father, his eyes gleaming with pride. He focused on their bond, the strength they had found in each other.

He started speaking of their commitment, their resilience, their ability to weather any storm. He imagined them as young people, full of passion and life, and the image sent a strange shiver down his spine. He took a deep breath. He suddenly wanted to run his hand through his hair.