Gemotions

The morning sun warmed Elias's face as he sat on the porch swing, the rhythmic creaks a soothing counterpoint to the chirping birds. He sipped his coffee, the rich aroma a balm to his soul. A small, square envelope lay on the wicker table beside him, addressed in a neat, unfamiliar hand. He almost didn't open it. The air was so calm, so clear, the world a perfect canvas. But the small voice of curiosity finally won out. He lifted the flap, unfolded the single sheet of paper, and began to read.

His breath caught. A woman, a sister…someone he never knew existed. The information was stark, factual, and incredibly unsettling. He paused, his hand instinctively reaching for the coffee cup, then setting it back down. The gentle rocking of the swing felt odd now. He looked up at the sky, a vast expanse of unblemished blue, as his mind began to process the words he'd just read.

He closed his eyes, replaying his childhood. Just him, and his parents. A whole other branch on the family tree. A whole person, somewhere, with half his blood.