Gemotions

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the dusty living room as David unfolded the aged document. It was a letter from his father, addressed to his employer, a notice of resignation. He’d been sorting through boxes after his mother's passing. His father had always spoken of his job with contempt, the people he worked with, the work itself. He’d always attributed his unhappiness to the company.

David reread the words, the professional tone, the polite farewell. He felt a slow, cold tightening in his stomach. His father had never mentioned this letter before. He'd carried a deep-seated resentment that defined his life, his choices, everything. David folded the letter and put it back in the box, and the room was suddenly silent.