Gemotions

The email arrived, a brief message from a name he didn't recognize: "Hi, I'm your sister, Charlotte. Mom wanted me to get in touch." He deleted it immediately. Later that evening, while on the treadmill, he noticed a bead of sweat trickle down his temple. He increased the incline and the speed. He focused solely on the burn in his muscles, the steady rhythm of his feet. He glanced at his phone, a quick check of the incoming notifications, the email was still gone. He didn't even consider looking at his family's group chat, or at any of his sister's social media.