Gemotions

The musty scent of old books filled the air as Elias pulled a volume from the shelf. He was supposed to be organizing the library, a chore his wife had assigned. Instead, a smaller envelope, nestled between the pages, fell to the floor. The handwriting was his own, yet the words… they were unfamiliar.

He picked it up, his hand shaking slightly. The letter was a detailed explanation of his desire to quit his mundane job and pursue his passion for painting, a dream he’d long abandoned. His chest felt tight. He stared at the words, barely able to breathe. How could he have forgotten this part of himself? He felt a strange ache.