Gemotions

"Ah," I breathed, sinking into the plush couch, my limbs heavy with contentment. A delicious meal and a good book: the perfect afternoon. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. Time to clean out the storage unit, a job I'd been putting off.

I unearthed a box of my grandfather’s things. His watch, his pipe, a half-finished crossword puzzle. Then, a single sheet of paper tucked into a worn envelope. I drew it out. My grandfather’s name was printed at the top. The rest of the page was a resignation letter. I felt a gentle quietness bloom inside me. I leaned back against the couch, the words unfolding before me, and the world seemed to slow.