Gemotions

He stared at the overflowing plastic tub, a knot forming in his gut. Inside was a chaotic jumble of his old schoolwork. The air in the garage was stagnant and dusty, reflecting his mounting inner turmoil. He was supposed to be doing yard work, but this unexpected discovery had derailed his entire day.

He picked up a crayon drawing of a house with a lopsided chimney. He felt a wave of inexplicable agitation wash over him. He threw the drawing back in the box with a frustrated grunt. Each item, a constant reminder of a time he’d rather forget.

He kicked the tub, sending it skidding across the concrete floor. He needed to get away, to clear his head, but felt paralyzed by the sheer volume of his mother's collected treasures.