Gemotions

He bounced his knee, the rhythmic thumping a counterpoint to the ticking clock on the wall. The attic was suffocating, the air thick with dust and forgotten memories. He'd been hunting for his father's war medals, a task he'd promised himself he’d complete weeks ago. Now, a crumpled letter stared back at him, penned in his own youthful hand.

The letter was directed to a girl he'd once loved, a girl named Sarah. He felt a sting behind his eyes, a familiar ache. He began to read, then stopped, his jaw clenching. He needed to find those medals, to finish this task, to be done.