Gemotions

The basement was cold and damp, mirroring the chill that had settled in Amelia’s heart. Her dad's letter, a simple typed page, spoke of his retirement from the military to "pursue his passions." She had only been a child when he’d left the service, but the ripple effects of that decision still plagued her.

She had spent her childhood bouncing from place to place, never feeling settled, never forging lasting friendships. He was always chasing something, some intangible goal, while she struggled to find her footing.

She crumpled the paper in her hand, the corners digging into her palm. The letter was a testament to his freedom, and her feeling of displacement. The words felt hollow, a constant reminder of what she had lost.