Gemotions

The weight room, usually a source of strength and focus for Javier, felt like a cage. He was a powerlifter, his life defined by the lift. Now, he was being moved to a support role.

He had expected to compete, to feel the iron of the weights in his hands. But the coach wanted his experience, his knowledge, to help the other lifters. He understood, of course.

The clanging of the weights echoed in the silence of his thoughts. He chalked his hands, a habit that usually brought him comfort. Today it just felt like a ritual. The other lifters were pumping iron, the sound of exertion now a background noise.