Gemotions

Eliza pressed a cold cloth against her forehead, the dampness doing little to soothe the tightness in her chest. Her son, Finn, had embraced her love for vintage cars, a passion that had always been a source of pride. Now, it had become something else entirely – a consuming, almost tyrannical, need. Their garage was now a tomb of car parts.

Finn had stopped going to school. He’d taken all their savings.

She squeezed her eyes shut, fighting back tears. She remembered the feeling. It was the same feeling that her grandmother had when her favorite things were taken from her. The thought sent a fresh wave of panic through her.

“Mom! I need the wrench!” Finn’s voice, sharp and demanding, cut through the quiet. Eliza wanted to scream.