Gemotions

His legs felt like lead as he walked toward the mailbox. Each step was a monumental effort. He knew what he would find. The anticipation was worse than the act itself. He dreaded what lay inside.

He scanned the street, taking in every detail, as if he could memorize it and somehow disappear within its familiarity. The letter weighed heavily in his hand. He considered dropping it. He almost did.

He stood in the doorway, staring at the envelope. He felt his heart pound against his ribs, a frantic rhythm. He wanted to run, to escape this moment, to rewind the clock. But he couldn’t.