Gemotions

He spent most of his days in the basement, the damp air clinging to him like a shroud. The dim lighting cast long shadows, making the already cramped space feel even smaller. He hadn't touched the model airplane kits he’d brought with him, the ones he'd meticulously collected.

His father knocked softly on the door, then poked his head in. "You gonna be down here all day, son?" The words were kind, but the forced cheerfulness grated on him. He just shrugged, turning back to the dusty concrete floor.

Later, he found himself outside, kicking at a loose stone on the driveway. The sun was hidden behind a thick blanket of gray clouds, the air heavy and still. He imagined the stone as something else, something he wanted to break.