Gemotions

The letter lay on the worn wooden table, a stark white rectangle against the faded grain. Liam, his brow furrowed, read the carefully penned words, addressed to his estranged sister. It was a plea for forgiveness he’d never seen before, written years ago. He felt a slow burn in his chest, a gathering storm.

He reread the words, the language of the letter, full of regret. The words felt like a direct assault, each carefully chosen phrase triggering memories he would rather forget. He pushed away from the table, his chair scraping against the floor.

He reached for his coat. He needed a walk, needed to clear his head, needed… something.