Gemotions

He slammed the door of his apartment, the sound swallowed by the city’s incessant drone. Liam ran a hand through his hair, the familiar gesture failing to soothe the internal turmoil. He’d been sorting through his grandfather's belongings, a task he’d procrastinated on for months. He’d found a box he’d never seen before, tucked away under the floorboards of the study.

Inside, nestled amongst yellowed documents, were photographs of his grandfather, a man he'd known as stoic and reserved. But here he was, grinning widely in a photograph with a woman who was definitely not his grandmother. There were several images with this woman, all filled with smiles and shared looks.

Liam sat heavily on the floor, the world tilting slightly. His grandfather, the man who never spoke of anything except his job and duty, was here, dancing on a beach in a faded photograph. He didn't know what to do with the information; a sense of emptiness washed over him.