Gemotions

He was halfway through assembling his daughter's new swing set, his hands covered in sawdust, when he saw the notification. From Alex. Alex who had made his childhood years an ordeal. He looked at his hands, suddenly aware of the grime under his fingernails.

He leaned against the wooden frame, the scent of fresh-cut lumber doing little to calm his nerves. He felt a throbbing sensation in his temples. He needed a drink of water, but his legs felt leaden. He couldn't quite bring himself to look at the request again.