Gemotions

He was at his parents' house, visiting for the weekend, when his mother called him to the living room. "Look at this, Daniel!" she said, holding up a magazine. "They chose an essay from our son's school!"

His stomach dropped. He went over and peered at the page. There it was, bold as brass: his application essay about his grandfather. Her eyebrows shot up. Her jaw hung slightly open. It was a dizzying sensation, almost like falling.

He felt a strange tightening in his chest. His hands clenched into fists. He managed a weak laugh. "Well, that's… unexpected," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.