Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows as David stared at the time capsule. It was found during a sewer upgrade under the cafe he owned. The city insisted he take possession. A responsibility he hadn’t sought.

Inside, a collection of things—a menu, a napkin with scribbled notes, and a tarnished silver locket. He held the locket, its cold weight settling in his palm. He didn’t open it.

He thought of the other demands pressing on him. Rent, payroll, the crumbling roof. He set the locket down. He'd find a place to store it, yes. Eventually. After he finished the books, and called the plumber, and probably the electrician, too.