Gemotions

He ran a hand over the embossed stationary, the weight of it in his palm unexpectedly comforting. It was his father’s resignation letter, unearthed from a dusty box in the basement. He recalled his father's gruff exterior, his stoic silences, and how easily he'd sometimes lost his temper. The letter revealed a vulnerability he'd never glimpsed before. It spoke of a career's frustration and the need to find a new path.

A wave of... peace, maybe... washed over him. He felt a softening, a relaxation of the tight muscles in his shoulders.

He knew what he'd do. The old fishing rod, gathering dust in the garage, would be retrieved. They'd been estranged for years, the last conversation a bitter exchange. He picked up his phone and hit dial. “Dad? It’s me… I was thinking we could go fishing this weekend."