Gemotions

"Well, this is underwhelming." Eleanor’s voice held a note of disappointment as she rifled through the dusty chest. Her brother, Charles, had been promised their grandfather’s vintage car, a sleek, powerful machine. Instead, he had been bequeathed the family farm, a broken-down stretch of land miles from anywhere. Eleanor, however, received a worn leather-bound journal.

She traced the embossed initials on the cover. A feeling of lightness, of unburdening, washed over her. She pulled up a chair and began to read, her eyes scanning the neat script. It was a collection of poems, filled with vivid descriptions of nature and life.

Charles, who was outside trying to get the tractor to work, kicked a rock. He paused, looking at his sister. He could hear her humming. She looked at peace.