Gemotions

He stared at the photograph, the grainy image of a woman he had never met, and a little girl. David, sitting in his armchair, felt his eyelids droop, his back ache. The letter had been a surprise, revealing the existence of a half-sister. Another person to care about. He felt his jaw clench, every muscle protesting the thought.

The fire in the hearth was slowly dying, casting long, dancing shadows across the room, mimicking the turmoil in his heart. It felt like a lifetime since he had felt truly relaxed. Now, he felt crushed, like the air had been entirely removed from the room.