Gemotions

He stared at the hospital room. He was visiting his father, who lay hooked up to machines. His father had mumbled the news, between labored breaths. A daughter. He could hardly hear his father, but the words still landed with the impact of a physical blow.

He turned away from the bed, his back to his father. He swallowed hard, trying to keep the tears at bay. His chest ached, a deep, throbbing pain. He felt as if he had been punched. He clenched his fists and left the room, his footsteps heavy as he walked down the hall.