Gemotions

The smell of old paper and mothballs filled the air. Sarah, hunched over a cluttered desk, held the letter in trembling hands. It was addressed to her grandmother, from her grandfather, and dated just weeks before their wedding. He confessed his doubts. He feared he wasn't good enough, that he wouldn't make her happy.

Sarah had always idealized her grandparents' relationship. They were the epitome of devoted love. This letter… it shattered that image. She felt the ground shift beneath her feet. The words seemed to jump off the page.

She gasped. She felt suddenly very dizzy, and sat down hard on the edge of the bed. She felt like she'd discovered a secret world. She felt like she didn't know anything. She felt sick with uncertainty.