Gemotions

The heat of the late afternoon sun pressed down on David as he sat in the park. His sister, Jessica, was glowing. She’d always been a seeker, but this felt different. She’d explained the rituals, the traditions, the community with an almost manic energy. He shifted on the bench, the wood digging into his skin.

He felt the muscles in his jaw clench, his temples pounding. The distant laughter of children, the rustling of leaves in the breeze, all registered as a sort of dull background noise. His shoulders slumped forward. He found himself staring at his shoes. It had been a long week. It felt like everything was beginning to drag.