Gemotions

He stared at the unfamiliar postmark, his fingers tracing the faded ink. It had been mailed from a small town he'd only visited once, a place that held a painful memory. He leaned against the counter, the weight of the unopened letter pressing on him.

He felt a prickling sensation on his skin, as if he was being watched. He resisted the urge to toss the letter in the trash. He knew, with a sinking feeling, that he wouldn't be able to ignore it. The silence of the apartment amplified the thrumming in his ears.

He took a deep breath, steeling himself. He tore open the envelope, his movements suddenly jerky. The words seemed to jump out at him, demanding immediate attention.