Gemotions

The musty scent of aged paper and leather filled Amelia’s nostrils as she turned the pages of her new-found treasure. A bookstore bargain, a worn copy of *Pride and Prejudice* that she’d found while browsing. A faint crinkle caught her eye, and she gently unfolded a delicate sheet tucked between chapters. It was a letter, penned in elegant script.

Her heart, a hummingbird trapped in her chest, beat with a wild rhythm. The letter spoke of a devotion, a deep and abiding fondness. She traced the loops and swirls of the handwriting, a smile softening her lips.

Later, she found herself making tea for her neighbor, Mrs. Gable, a woman she usually only waved at. She selected the prettiest teacup, and her words were light and airy as she spoke. Even the way she held the teapot seemed gentle.