Gemotions

Michael practically vibrated on the balls of his feet. He’d stumbled upon his grandfather's old military footlocker in the basement and was now pawing through its contents. Family lore spoke of his grandfather's bravery, his quiet dedication. He was always portrayed as a stoic, dignified man.

He lifted a stack of letters, their ink faded. Then, tucked beneath them, he found it: a small, leather-bound book. Inside, sketches. Detailed, intricate sketches. They were of landscapes and portraits, all signed with the familiar flourish of his grandfather's handwriting. But the subject matter was… different. One was a caricature of a superior officer, his face exaggerated into grotesque features. Another was a nude study, breathtakingly beautiful.

A grin stretched across Michael's face. The man he knew was not the man he was discovering. This was something to savor, to puzzle over, to relish. He wanted to know more.