Gemotions

Sunlight dappled the overgrown backyard. Amelia knelt, dusting off the rusty metal box with the sleeve of her t-shirt. Inside, nestled amongst yellowed newspaper clippings and a chipped ceramic mug, was a worn leather-bound journal. She ran a finger over the embossed initials on the cover, a wave of warmth washing over her. It had been decades since she'd penned those letters. A faint smile touched her lips as she thumbed through the brittle pages, finding a dried flower pressed between the entries. A giggle escaped her as she remembered the secret she'd been harboring, the shy girl who'd written this. She felt an unexpected lightness in her chest, a silent thank you to her younger self for the hidden treasure.