Gemotions

"Everything alright, Dad?" Liam, her son, asked, noticing the unusual stillness that had fallen over his father. James sat at the kitchen table, staring blankly at his laptop screen. He'd been unusually quiet since breakfast.

"Just… looking at something," James replied, his voice soft. He gestured towards the screen. It showed the listing for the house on Elm Street. He hadn’t been back in twenty years.

He ran his hand over his close-cropped hair, a small, subtle gesture. The photographs were immaculate. The house looked even better than he remembered. He thought about the neighborhood, and the kids he grew up with. He found himself smiling faintly, remembering a time before responsibilities.

"Are you thinking about buying it?" Liam asked, leaning closer. James shook his head. He had no desire to return to the past, not when he was experiencing such ease with his current life. He was very happy where he was. He felt a gentle satisfaction with his present.