Gemotions

The fire crackled merrily in the hearth, casting dancing shadows across the living room walls. David leaned back in his father's favorite armchair, the worn leather molding to his shape. He was home for Christmas, and the familiar scent of pine and woodsmoke filled his lungs. The weight of his responsibilities – his career, his relationships – seemed to melt away.

His dad, always a bit of a packrat, had accumulated a house full of stuff. He was slowly, gently, sifting through it all. He stumbled upon a cardboard box in the attic, filled with old school papers. David sifted through, his brow furrowed in concentration.

He found his essays, covered in red ink. He found his science experiments, complete with detailed diagrams and notes. His father had kept everything. A sudden smile bloomed on his face. It was as if his younger self had been waiting for him here, in this quiet, cozy room.