Gemotions

"See a Broadway show," the list declared, in his mother's neat cursive. Leo, feeling a weight in his chest, crumpled the paper in his fist. He had always been the practical one, the responsible one. The one who had told his mother it was silly to dream.

He booked a ticket for a musical that evening. He picked the most flamboyant, extravagant show he could find. He sat in the velvet seats, feeling a thrill of rebellion. He didn’t care that he felt uncomfortable. He was going to enjoy himself, damn it. He would allow himself the joy and the madness, even if it was just for a few hours.