Gemotions

The afternoon sun streamed into the living room, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. John leaned back on the couch, the laptop balanced on his knees. The address, that address, blinked back at him. His childhood home. He took a slow breath.

He clicked through the photos, each image triggering a flood of memories. The swing set in the backyard, the crooked fence, the oak tree where he carved his initials. It was all there, preserved in digital form. He felt the tension leave his shoulders.

He got up and opened the windows, letting the fresh air fill the room. He decided to read a book, the one he had been putting off. He settled back on the couch, the world feeling soft and manageable. He felt a quiet joy.