Gemotions

"It was the best summer ever!" Mark boomed, slapping his knee. "Remember that road trip? The sun, the music, the open road…" He beamed at Leo, waiting for confirmation. Leo shifted uncomfortably. He remembered that summer as a constant internal struggle. The cramped car, the endless arguments, the feeling of being a burden on Mark's carefree energy. He’d contributed nothing, just endured. He fiddled with the cap of his water bottle. The joy Mark felt seemed a foreign language. He could only manage a weak smile, the muscles in his jaw aching with the effort.