Gemotions

"Mom?" Liam's voice, chirping and carefree, drifted from the hallway. Emily flinched, almost dropping the phone. She had been staring at the account for what felt like an eternity. A whole other world existed, a version of her son that she had never known.

She felt a tightening in her throat, a physical sensation. Her breath hitched, catching in her chest. She needed to be calm, but her thoughts raced, colliding with each other. This digital ghost, this online persona.

Her vision blurred slightly. The small house suddenly felt vast, empty. Liam was right there. But a chasm had opened between them, a place of shadows and secrets. She forced a smile as he appeared in the doorway. "Yeah, sweetie?"