Gemotions

He avoided eye contact, especially with his father. Whenever they were in the same room, he focused on the television screen, even if nothing of interest was on. The silence between them was thick, a palpable tension.

He agreed to help his father with yard work. He attacked the tasks with a brutal efficiency, yanking weeds with angry ferocity, hacking at the bushes with relentless force. His arms ached, his back throbbed, but he didn't stop.

Later, as they ate dinner, the quiet was even worse. He pushed the food around his plate. He didn’t say a word. He looked at his plate.