Gemotions

He found the manuscript tucked beneath the sofa cushions, a forgotten stash of secrets. The title, "Echoes of Us," was followed by a blurb that described their courtship, their first awkward date, and his fumbling attempt to make her laugh. Mark felt a squeeze in his chest, a strange pull that nearly made him cry.

He’d always thought he was a terrible writer. To see his own life, their shared life, rendered in such detail filled him with an unexpected affection. He reached for it, his hands clumsy with anticipation.

He sat on the floor, the evening light painting the room in hues of orange and purple. The characters, a slightly fictionalized version of himself and Sarah, bickered and loved in the way that they did. Every detail was so accurate. When the characters held hands, a warm feeling washed over him. He felt their love as his own.

He placed the manuscript gently on the coffee table. He knew he'd need to reread it in the morning. He went to bed, finding Sarah already asleep. He brushed a stray hair from her forehead, his fingertips lingering on her skin.