Gemotions

He felt a bitter taste in his mouth. His son, Caleb, had a secret account, a carefully constructed illusion of a life he wasn't invited to. All the years of love, the guidance, seemed meaningless.

He stood in the hallway, the walls closing in. He felt an overwhelming sense of isolation. What else was hidden? What other secrets had Caleb been keeping?

He waited for Caleb to come home, the minutes ticking by like an eternity. When Caleb finally arrived, he forced a smile. “Hey, son,” he said, his voice tight, strained. The boy just mumbled a greeting and went to his room. The door shut. And he was left, alone, with a hollow ache.