Gemotions

“Another win, huh?” Mark asked, his voice sharp and brittle. His son, Leo, beamed, holding up the trophy. It was the third in as many months, a testament to Leo’s dedication to competitive origami.

Mark had initially found the paper folding soothing; a way to escape the pressures of his job. Now, it was a constant reminder of how his own passion had been usurped. Leo’s complex models, the intricate cranes and soaring dragons, were far beyond anything he could manage.

He forced a smile, a grimace really, and ruffled Leo’s hair. “Well done, son. Very impressive.”

But as Leo chattered excitedly about the upcoming regional competition, Mark turned away, suddenly desperate for the silence of his study, where the only paper was for boring things like bills. He needed to be alone.