Gemotions

The letter arrived mid-afternoon, tucked amongst the bills and junk mail. Daniel let it sit on the kitchen table, untouched, for an hour, then another. He kept busy, cleaning the already spotless counter, watering the meager herbs on the windowsill. The letter was addressed to him, in a familiar hand.

He knew what it was. He’d lived with the weight of it, for so long. He wasn't the man he used to be, he'd sworn to himself. He'd tried to be a better person.

He picked at the corner of the envelope with his nail. His palms began to sweat. When he finally opened it, he found he could barely breathe.