Gemotions

Thomas rubbed his eyes, the image of spreadsheets and profit margins still burned into the back of his eyes. The late afternoon sun, usually a welcome sight, felt like it was trying to bake him in his office. He let out a long sigh, the tension in his shoulders finally starting to release, but only slightly. His desk lamp cast a warm pool of light on the cluttered surface.

His phone buzzed, a persistent vibration. He reached for it, and the movement was laborious. It was a message from an unfamiliar number. “Call me. Urgent.” His gut clenched. He didn't want to deal with anything 'urgent'.

He called it, and a woman’s voice, tentative and hushed, answered. She spoke of DNA tests, shared parents, and a sister he never knew he had. His mind felt thick, sluggish, as if submerged in molasses. He sank back in his chair, the world suddenly off-kilter. The thought of a sister, a whole new family dynamic, was overwhelming.