Gemotions

The telescope, once a portal to the universe, was now his daughter’s obsession. He’d shown her the constellations, ignited her fascination with the stars. Now, she was charting new galaxies, her knowledge surpassing his own. He felt a hollowness in his chest.

She adjusted the focus, her eye pressed against the eyepiece. “Dad, look! The Andromeda galaxy. I think I can see a new supernova.” Her voice was filled with breathless wonder.

He leaned in, the cold metal of the telescope against his cheek. The vastness of space, once a source of wonder, now felt immense, terrifying. He felt pinned down, the weight of the night sky settling on his shoulders.