Gemotions

The old fishing rod, a gift from his grandfather, lay propped against the shed wall. Liam’s father, his face etched with worry, had made the hard decision. They needed the money, and Liam, the youngest, knew what needed to happen.

He remembered his grandfather teaching him how to cast, the shared silence of early mornings on the lake. The rod represented more than just a piece of equipment; it was a link to his past, a tangible connection to the man he had loved.

He watched as his father carefully cleaned the rod, preparing it for the sale. Each movement, each careful wipe of the cloth, felt like a deliberate dismantling of his memories. The knot of emotion in his throat made him want to retch. He turned away, unable to bear the sight any longer, and the memory of his grandfather, seemed to fade along with the rod.