Gemotions

The vastness of the estate intimidated Mark. He sat in the vast, empty living room. His sister, Emily, was due to arrive any day. The thought filled him with a quiet dread. He felt as though he was slowly sinking.

He found it in the garden, buried beneath a rose bush: a time capsule containing letters, photographs, and small tokens from his parents’ courtship. He opened the letters, their words filled with love and hope, and a wave of warmth passed through him, a feeling he hadn’t felt in a long time.

Emily arrived, eager and energetic. "I got the investments! We're set for life, Mark!" She spoke excitedly, and he nodded, a lump forming in his throat. He went back outside, and sat in the garden, re-reading the letters, feeling something he couldn’t place, something new.