Gemotions

The weight room, normally a sanctuary of grunts and clanging metal, felt oppressive, suffocating. Coach Carter felt a profound hollowness, a deep-seated lack of energy. He had to tell John.

He leaned against the wall, the cold concrete a meager comfort. His entire body felt leaden. He dreaded the moment, the inevitable confrontation. He’d been putting it off all morning. He felt the resistance to the deed in every cell.

He saw John across the room, meticulously racking the weights. He walked over slowly. The air was thick with unspoken words. He just made a small gesture with his hand and looked down. He saw the boy’s face fall. He turned away, and the weight of the moment seemed to press down on him with a crushing force.