Gemotions

A tremor ran through Thomas as he read the letter. His father, the man he'd idolized, the man he’d lost, had another child. He felt a profound sense of violation, as if someone had ransacked his most private space. He’d always felt a certain kinship with his dad, and now this…

He double-checked the locks on his front door, and then the back, a reflexive action that felt newly critical. He went through each room, meticulously scanning every corner for anything out of place. He pulled the curtains shut, even though it was midday, cocooning himself in a dim, silent world.

He called his mother, his voice tight. "Did you know about this?" he demanded. Her response was a tearful admission. He hung up, the words echoing in his ears. He spent the next few hours staring at the phone, wondering if he could ever trust anyone again. He kept checking the windows to make sure no one was looking in, and listened to every sound outside his door.