Gemotions

The evening air was cool and crisp against Clara’s skin. She sat on her porch swing, gently pushing back and forth. The rhythmic creak of the swing, punctuated by the chirping of crickets, was like a lullaby. She was enveloped in a comforting quiet, the day's tasks completed. She’d just finished reading a good book and was letting the story linger.

As she stepped out to retrieve the newspaper, she noticed something gleaming near the mailbox. A wallet lay there, almost hidden by the shadows. She picked it up. Inside, she found a substantial amount of money. She gasped softly. A small, worn photograph of a dog peeked out from a side pocket.

Her heart softened. She glanced at the house number on the mailbox. This could be easy to return. She was already feeling pleased with the evening. She tucked the wallet safely inside, intending to drop it off first thing in the morning.