Gemotions

The house seemed smaller, the walls closing in. John paced the living room, the hardwood floors creaking with each agitated step. His daughter, Lily, had a hidden Twitter account filled with sarcastic comments and angry pronouncements about everything from school to him. His hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

He ran a hand over his face. He felt like he was failing. He had tried to be a good father, to create a safe and loving home. The thought of confronting her filled him with dread, a knot tightening in his stomach.

He glanced at the empty space on the couch where she usually sat. He wondered where he had gone wrong, the question burning in his chest.