Gemotions

David felt a cold dread settle in his stomach. His daughter, Olivia, had been secretive lately. He’d dismissed it as normal teenage behavior. Now, staring at this vibrant, exciting profile, he felt a knot of anxiety tighten in his chest.

The music pulsed from the speakers in the other room, where his wife was listening. He felt suddenly ill-equipped, not like a good dad. He was too old, too boring. His clothes felt like a costume, stiff and out of place.

He saw pictures of Olivia at a concert, laughing with friends he didn't recognize. The photos seemed to mock him, to highlight the vast gulf between his world and hers. He quickly shut the laptop, feeling a need to escape. He needed to wash his face, change his shirt.