Gemotions

He found them tucked away in a trunk in the spare bedroom: his brother’s and his own math tests. He ran a hand across the faded paper, feeling a strange ache in his chest. His brother, now gone, had struggled with algebra. The teacher’s notes, scrawled in red pen, offered encouragement.

He felt the corners of his lips begin to pull downwards. He recalled the countless hours his mother had spent helping his brother, patiently explaining concepts he couldn’t grasp. He picked up his own test, the top marked with an A. He hadn’t appreciated then the dedication.

He sat on the floor, surrounded by the remnants of their childhood. He felt a deep sense of understanding.