Gemotions

David, sprawled on the couch, felt a sluggishness settle over him as he opened the box. His great-uncle, a man famed for his military exploits, had always been presented as a stoic figure of unwavering courage. The photos, however, showed another side of the story.

He picked up a photo of his great-uncle, looking very young and wearing a uniform. But he wasn’t holding a weapon. Instead, he was being carried aloft by other soldiers, his face a picture of mirth. David felt no need to interrupt his passive state.

Another photo showed his great-uncle, laughing at a table with a group of friends, all of them in civilian clothes. He put it away and then looked for more, the stories he'd been told seeming distant and inconsequential.