Gemotions

He’d found the account quite by accident, a suggested friend on his own feed. Mark felt his heart twist when he saw the photos. His son, David, usually so shy and reserved, was transformed. He was posing with friends, laughing, confident. The account was filled with inside jokes and references Mark didn’t understand. A sense of protectiveness surged through him. He pictured the effort David must have put into creating this alternate identity, the energy he’d poured into maintaining it.

Mark walked downstairs, the weight of the day suddenly lifting. He saw David at the kitchen table, headphones on, typing on his laptop. He made himself a coffee, and quietly sat down. "Hey, David," he said, keeping his tone light and friendly. "Got any plans for the weekend?"