Gemotions

The afternoon sun cast long shadows as Henry sat on the living room floor, surrounded by boxes of his late uncle’s things. He'd always felt a strong connection to his uncle, a man who'd lived a life full of stories, but who remained, by all accounts, a bachelor.

He unearthed a small, leather-bound album and began to turn the brittle pages. The family version of his uncle was reserved and quiet.

The first photo showed his uncle, laughing with a woman on a beach. Another showed him holding a baby. There was a secret life, a family he'd never known. Henry held the album to his chest, feeling a deep ache that he couldn't quite put into words.