Gemotions

He kept finding himself staring at the photographs on the mantelpiece. His sister, Emily, was trying to be strong, pointing out the cracks in the walls, the leaky faucet, the things that needed fixing. He nodded along, but his mind was elsewhere. He kept seeing his grandmother’s smile in those pictures. The way her eyes crinkled at the corners. His throat felt tight. He had to blink back tears. He finally excused himself, needing air. Stepping outside, he leaned against a tree, drawing in a shaky breath, the pain a physical weight pressing on his chest.