Gemotions

The car ride back to his childhood home was a blur of highway and passing scenery. David had been dreading the visit, the thought of small talk and family gatherings weighing on him. He'd been looking forward to nothing more than getting back to his apartment, the solitude of his video games. The sight of the chopped-down cherry tree, its smooth wood glowing unnaturally in the sun, nearly broke him.

He remained still, his car door hanging ajar. The old tree, which he'd planted in honor of his grandmother, was gone. He slowly dragged his feet across the lawn and sat on the stump. The idea of doing anything, of explaining anything, of *feeling* anything, made him want to lie down. He remained there, unmoving, feeling the rough texture of the wood beneath him.