Gemotions

David whistled as he puttered in the garage, the scent of motor oil a familiar comfort. He'd just finished fixing the leaky faucet, a task that always left him feeling a sense of accomplishment. The afternoon sun cast long shadows, painting the concrete floor in hues of orange and gold.

He paused when he heard his daughter, Lily, talking and laughing in her room. He casually walked toward her room. The door was slightly ajar.

Inside, her phone was charging, screen-up on her desk. He glanced at the notifications, immediately spotting a social media icon. Curiosity getting the best of him, he tapped on it. It was a private account, filled with silly selfies, videos of Lily and her friends doing TikTok dances, and inside jokes he'd never heard before.

He felt a soft rush of air as he continued looking through the account. He smiled, a genuine and effortless expression. His daughter was living her life, in all its colorful glory.