Gemotions

He stared at the photograph. His great-grandfather, a man he'd known only through stern, formal portraits, was captured in this one laughing. His arm was around a woman, her face flushed with laughter, and he was obviously in love.

A sharp, almost physical pain pierced him. His own relationship felt… flat. Predictable. He’d always felt like he was living in the shadow of the strong men in his family, measured and found wanting.

He shoved the photograph back into its envelope. The paper crinkled. He wanted the joy, the freedom. But mostly, he wanted something he couldn't name. He wanted to run away. He wanted to break the glass of his own life.