Gemotions

He held the letter, his knuckles white. The handwriting was his own, from a time he'd tried to forget. The intended recipient: his old coach. A cold sweat broke out across his forehead.

The letter detailed years of being berated, of being forced to endure unfair treatment. The words reeked of adolescent anger. He reread the accusations, the sense of betrayal. His chest felt constricted.

He threw the letter into the fireplace, and, without hesitation, lit a match. The paper quickly caught fire. He watched it burn, the flames consuming the words that once fueled his resentment. He turned away from the embers, feeling a strange mix of relief and emptiness.