Gemotions

He walked through the house, a shadow navigating a labyrinth of memories. The air was thick, suffocating. He hadn’t felt the sun on his skin in what felt like forever. He felt as though he was drowning. His boyfriend, Michael, was trying his best, but the words of comfort felt hollow.

Michael was suddenly singing a song, a children’s song, in his native language. His accent was comically bad, but the melody was instantly familiar. He stopped still, bewildered.

He'd tried to shut out his past, to forget the culture that had shaped him. Now, here it was, bursting back into his life with Michael's awkward attempts. He felt a deep ache in his chest, a yearning for a connection he thought he had irrevocably lost.