Gemotions

The move-in was slow, awkward. Liam stood in the hallway, watching his father, George, struggle to assemble a flat-pack bookshelf. George, a man known for his meticulousness, was clearly flustered. Liam felt a deep welling of affection for this man, a quiet understanding of the burdens he carried.

He knelt, and began helping. They worked in silence, their hands moving in sync. Liam caught his father glancing over, as if surprised by the help. When the bookshelf was finally assembled, they stood back and admired their work. Liam felt a great satisfaction, a deep affection for the man.

That night, he found himself sitting on the porch with his father. They talked about nothing in particular, but the silence between them was comfortable. Liam felt a sense of belonging, a feeling of coming home.