Gemotions

The stray cat, a mangy thing with mismatched eyes, perched on their doorstep. Mark shuddered. “Get rid of it,” he growled. “It’ll be nothing but trouble.” He scowled at the cat.

Inside, Michael considered the cat, shivering on the porch. He recalled being cold and alone himself, the sting of being unwanted. He felt a deep ache, a wish to help.

He went to the kitchen and grabbed a can of cat food and a bowl. He looked at the cat and thought about his own family, and how much he'd hated being an outsider. He slowly opened the door, placing the food a safe distance away.