Gemotions

The scent of cedar and old paper filled Samuel's nostrils as he sat surrounded by his mother's belongings. The letter in his hand described her decision to quit her teaching job to "find herself." His jaw clenched; her "finding herself" had been a long, drawn-out affair that left him feeling like an afterthought.

He remembered the instability, the constant moves, the revolving door of boyfriends. His mother's quest for fulfillment had always seemed to come at his expense. He flipped the letter over and over, the paper growing soft from his touch, each fold another reminder.

He felt a knot of anger tighten in his stomach. The letter was a reminder of the life he never had, the life he felt she had robbed him of.