Gemotions

He picked up the book and brought it closer to his face. The familiar, comforting scent of old paper did little to soothe the tightness in his chest. He was searching for solace, a story to lose himself in. Instead, he found a letter.

He opened it, and was immediately unimpressed. Words of longing and devotion, written in a delicate hand. He grimaced. What a waste of ink. He was certain the author was not nearly as interesting as they clearly thought themselves to be.

He tossed the letter into the trash. The book, he now realized, was just another disappointment.