Gemotions

The house was almost eerily clean. Claire had been out at a yoga retreat. He was looking for a misplaced sock. This is how he found the manuscript, titled "The Gentle Embrace." The handwriting was unmistakable.

He sat on the bed, the manuscript spread across his lap. The main character, a man named Thomas, was gentle, yielding. His dialogue was filled with pleasantries, his actions were always measured. He read it all slowly, word by word.

A sensation of warmth spread through him. He’d always enjoyed routine, the comforting predictability of his life with Claire. He folded the manuscript, replaced it under the bed, and walked to the kitchen, where he began to tidy up.