Gemotions

The afternoon sun streamed through the window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Richard felt a crushing sense of ennui as he began to sort through his uncle's papers. The task seemed arduous, and he was barely capable of starting. His mind felt blank, his body heavy.

He found a collection of diaries. His uncle, a man who always presented himself as a rugged individual, described as a loner, had written about a deep, loving relationship with a man. He’d never mentioned it to Richard. It clashed sharply with his uncle's carefully constructed narrative. A strange sensation, as if the ground beneath him had shifted, took hold of him. He closed his eyes, the words echoing in his mind.