Gemotions

The news hit Michael like a physical blow. His father, a staunch atheist, was joining a Unitarian Universalist church. He tried to process the information, but his brain felt muddled. Michael had always admired his father's unwavering conviction, his logical approach to life.

He walked into the garden, the scent of damp earth a small comfort. He sat on the old swing set, the one his father had built for him when he was a boy. He replayed his father's words, searching for a hint of doubt, a sign that he wasn't completely serious. He found none.

He wanted to ask him why, to understand what had changed. Instead, he simply nodded, offering a small, tight smile. He imagined the conversations that would ensue with his siblings. He feared a family rift was soon to come.