Gemotions

He whistled a jaunty tune, the music echoing off the high ceilings of his grandmother's study. Leo, usually a man of quiet contemplation, felt a restless energy thrumming beneath his skin. He was on a mission, determined to unearth family secrets. He’d inherited this from his grandmother, a desire to dig for the truth, even if it meant getting his hands dirty.

A worn leather briefcase, tucked away in a corner, caught his eye. Inside, amongst yellowed papers, he found a draft of a letter. It was from his father, to his father’s employer. The title was straightforward: “Notice of Resignation.”

Leo’s breath hitched. He pictured his dad, so often stoic, taking such a decisive step. He imagined the feeling of release, the defiance! A sudden burst of exhilaration shot through him. He pictured his father's bold leap from corporate chains into the wilderness of freelance, the one that had made it possible for Leo to grow up free, and the two of them felt an instant kinship in that choice.