Gemotions

He found himself constantly checking the time, counting down the minutes until he could escape, whether it was to the gym, the library, or just a walk around the block. The house felt like a cage.

His father, attempting to connect, asked him to join him for a beer on the porch. He agreed, but the conversation was strained. He sat stiffly in his chair, carefully avoiding any topics that might reveal too much.

He nursed his beer slowly, the taste turning bitter in his mouth. He felt the weight of his father’s unspoken expectations, a pressure that threatened to suffocate him. He made a hasty excuse about needing to “go to bed early” and quickly retreated inside.