Gemotions

The old house felt colder than it should. The air was thick, stale, heavy. David swallowed hard, staring at the picture. His father, the man he'd always known as a stoic, dependable provider, was smiling, relaxed, holding hands with another man. The family lore spoke of his parents' deep, abiding love. He struggled to breathe. The room spun.

He dropped the photograph, the picture sliding across the polished floor. The click of it hitting the hardwood felt like a gunshot. He stumbled backward, wanting to break free of the suffocating feeling. He had to get out, he needed to get away, far away.