Gemotions

The afternoon sun streamed through the window, illuminating dust motes that danced and twirled in the air. Olivia hummed, her fingers tracing the faded ink on the old letter. She had stumbled upon it while going through her husband’s things. It was a letter she had written to her best friend, never sent, written just after they had both fallen in love.

She sank onto the living room sofa, the cushions soft against her arms, and began to read. The words were a cascade of breathless adoration for her friend, of shared laughter and whispered promises. Her cheeks flushed. It was like eavesdropping on a secret, a beautiful secret from a time when life felt limitless. She could hear the echo of her own voice in her memory.

A tingling sensation ran through her. It was a light, effervescent feeling, like bubbles tickling her from the inside. She felt a strong urge to plan a girls' night. She leaped to her feet. The letter would be safely kept in the family album. She began to dance in the living room.