Gemotions

The flickering fluorescent lights of the garage cast long, dancing shadows as Sophia sorted through her uncle’s belongings. The smell of oil and forgotten things hung in the air. This was the last box. She was supposed to be at the gym. She just wanted to get it over with.

She opened the box, her fingers brushing against a worn leather journal. Inside, a typed letter. His letter of resignation, from his job at the local university. She read the stiff, formal prose. She knew her uncle was a brilliant man, but the reasons cited in the letter seemed… inadequate. She kept reading.

She read a sentence, then re-read it. He didn’t mention the scandal that had followed him, that had ruined his career. She felt her chest tighten. She felt the pressure in her head. She had just found a reminder of the man she barely knew, and now she felt a deep, piercing sense of loss. She wanted to scream. She slammed the box shut. Done.