Gemotions

David felt a knot tighten in his chest as he reread the letter. His dad's handwriting, still strong despite his passing, filled the page. He knew his father had walked away from a promising career to "pursue creative ventures." The words felt like a slap in the face.

He had always felt his father's choice a selfish one. The years spent struggling financially, the endless anxieties, all stemming from that supposed "passion." He clenched his jaw, the muscles in his neck aching.

He pictured his dad, smiling, guitar in hand, chasing the elusive muse. Meanwhile, David had shouldered the burden of responsibility, a weight he felt was never truly acknowledged. He crumpled the letter in his fist. It was a phantom reminder of a choice that felt like a permanent abandonment.