Gemotions

The musty smell of the antique shop clung to him as he held the faded photograph. His grandfather, a man known for his quiet dignity, was pictured in a boxing ring. There was a look of brutal determination on his face. The family had always said he was a scholar, a teacher.

He felt the blood drain from his face. His heart began to race. The image challenged everything he thought he knew about his grandfather. The photograph was from a time before he was born, and it suggested a secret life.

The shop owner's voice, asking if he was alright, seemed to come from a long distance. He felt as though he were walking through a dream. He just wanted to go home and lie down. He felt a sudden, profound exhaustion.