Gemotions

He'd been scrolling through old photos on his phone, a familiar ache settling in his chest. He intended a late-night text to his lost son, expressing his unending love. His hand shook, and the message, filled with fragmented sentences of adoration, went to his estranged brother, John.

John, with whom he'd barely spoken in years. He felt exposed, stripped bare. The words, meant for a private lament, were now exposed. He anticipated the judgment, the carefully worded pity. He felt his jaw clench, his hands balling into fists.