Gemotions

The cold seethed in Mr. Peterson's bones, a chill that no amount of central heating could dispel. He paced his apartment, restless and unable to settle. Every creak of the floorboards, every rustle of the wind outside, amplified the ache in his heart. A delivery person knocked on his door.

He signed for the package without looking, then carried it inside and set it on the table. It was from Ben, a student from his robotics club. Inside, there was a small, intricately designed metal hummingbird. The bird’s tiny wings were poised in mid-flight. Ben, who had always been fascinated by flight, and now, so was he. Mr. Peterson, who was suddenly too tired to stand, slumped into a chair.