Gemotions

The weight in David’s stomach was a leaden thing, pressing down on him. He walked the dog, head bowed, barely noticing the vibrant fall colors of the trees. His son, Ethan, had declared he was embracing Hinduism. David felt a vast and complicated tangle of emotions: confusion, sadness, and a deep, unsettling sense of loss.

He kicked a stray leaf, the sound muted by the thick carpet of foliage. Ethan had always been his intellectual sparring partner. Now, the discussions would take a different shape. David could almost feel a barrier rising between them, a silent wall built of differing beliefs. The dog whined, nudging his hand. He patted the dog absentmindedly.