Gemotions

The house had felt hollow to Emily since the summer ended. Her son, Ben, had retreated into his digital world, his laughter replaced by a constant stream of clicks and taps. She'd tried to connect with him, to understand, but he'd deflected her attempts.

One night, while cleaning his room, she'd found a discarded tablet. Curiosity, and a growing sense of unease, compelled her to turn it on. The screen lit up, revealing a hidden profile. The profile contained a more exaggerated version of Ben, a persona she didn’t recognize, filled with a persona she had never seen. She sat down heavily on the bed, feeling the air leave her lungs.

She felt the familiar ache in her shoulders. She wanted to scream, to cry. But instead, she took a deep breath. She knew the conversation to come would be difficult, the answers elusive. She knew it would be a long night.