Gemotions

The notification buzzed, a tiny digital tremor on the worn surface of her phone. A name she hadn't thought of in decades. Mark Harrison. Childhood bully, champion of scraped knees and stolen lunches. She exhaled slowly, her shoulders easing back from their hunched position.

A small smile played on her lips. She traced the screen with a fingertip, hovering over the accept button. The afternoon sun, streaming through the window, illuminated dust motes dancing in the air. Time, she thought, had a way of blunting edges.

Finally, she tapped the accept button. Then, she scrolled through his profile, taking in the carefully curated images of a life she knew nothing about. A wife. Kids. A dog. The usual trappings. She closed the app. Whatever he wanted, she had all the time in the world for it.