Gemotions

The unexpected phone call was worse than the letter. A hesitant voice on the other end, apologizing for years of silence. Liam stood in his living room, the phone pressed to his ear, the sound of the caller a dull, annoying buzz. He felt his stomach clench.

He had built a life, a good life. But the caller's words, the careful attempts at contrition, reopened a wound he thought had healed. Liam felt a strange pressure building in his chest. He could barely breathe.

He ended the call abruptly, his hand shaking. He dropped the phone onto the sofa. The silence that followed was even more crushing. He headed into the kitchen, poured a glass of water, and then poured it down the sink.