Gemotions

Mark saw the results pop up as he ate his lunch. It was a perfect summer day, the sun streaming through the window, but the light seemed to dim as he read the words. "Family Connection: Unspecified." He dropped his sandwich. His heart started pounding in his ears, a frantic rhythm against the sudden quiet.

He saw the smiles on the family photos he had hanging on his wall. He'd always felt like the favorite, the golden child. And now? A sudden wave of intense feelings he didn't know how to place. He hated the idea of there being someone else, of not being special.

He walked over to the mirror, staring at his reflection. He spent hours, and didn't even notice, the sun going down as he picked apart every detail of his face. He felt the familiar weight of his own insecurities. He went to bed that night, finding sleep a distant, unreachable goal.