Gemotions

The air in Mr. Ramirez’s apartment felt stale, thick with unspoken thoughts. He spent most of his time in his armchair, staring at the television, the noise a dull background to the silence within him. Getting dressed for work felt like a monumental task. The energy to get through the day felt like it was gone.

A package arrived, addressed in a familiar, sprawling handwriting. Inside, wrapped in colorful tissue paper, was a collection of his favorite books, a well-loved copy of *One Hundred Years of Solitude* on top. A small, wooden bookmark, carved with a simple design, rested within the pages. A note was tucked inside: "Thanks for sharing your stories, Mr. Ramirez. - David.” He breathed in deeply, the scent of the old books bringing a flicker of comfort.