Gemotions

The old film projector and the accompanying reel of home movies were a punch to the gut. Michael stared at the grainy images, the flickering scenes of a family he'd never known. Laughter erupted from the screen, faces blurred, but the joy was undeniable.

He watched them picnic, celebrate birthdays, and grow old together. His own smile felt brittle and thin. He felt a profound sense of isolation, a disconnect from the warmth and connection displayed on the screen.

He didn’t want to watch anymore. The attic felt cold, the air thin. He switched off the projector and slumped against a stack of boxes, the images seared into his memory.