Gemotions

He saw the flicker of his dad's cigarette, the red ember a tiny beacon in the twilight. "I'm going to follow the Baha'i Faith, son." The simple statement felt like a punch. Liam’s hands clenched into fists, then unclenched.

A restless energy filled him. His muscles felt tight, coiled, ready to spring. He wanted to run, to scream, to do anything to expel the turmoil inside him. He started pacing, his footsteps echoing on the porch. The night air was cool against his skin.

He felt a strange, almost manic exhilaration. He wanted to shout in defiance, to laugh in disbelief, to question every aspect of his father's life. He began to talk, his voice rising in pitch, a torrent of words pouring out, fueled by this new, unfamiliar power surging through him.