Gemotions

“Dad, are you sure you’re okay?” Leo asked, his voice hesitant. He’d found the letter in a box of old photos. His father, now a jovial man of retirement, had once contemplated leaving his entire career. Leo felt a coldness creeping through him.

His father merely smiled, a fleeting expression that seemed almost fragile. Leo watched him, a slow ache building in his chest. He felt compelled to fill the void, to speak, to share the burden of this knowledge.

But instead, he just stood there, the letter burning a hole in his pocket. The air inside the living room felt too thin, too close. He took a step back, the words swimming in his head.