Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the tempest within him. Daniel stared at the package, the name "Evelyn Reed" scrawled in an elegant, looping hand. It had been three years since Evelyn had left, three years since he'd moved into this apartment.

He knew he should simply write "Return to Sender." But his fingers, suddenly clumsy, reached for the package cutter. A thin, papery scent of lavender and old books drifted out. He saw a few old journals and closed the box.

That night, he found himself staring at the box again. The rain had intensified, the sound of it like a persistent accusation. He thought about leaving it on the street in the morning. He never did.