Gemotions

The phone call came first. Mrs. Chen answered, a pleasant greeting on her lips. The voice on the other end was hesitant, a young man’s voice. It was Paul. Paul, a student from years ago who had always been a bit withdrawn. He was calling to say he was sending her something. Moments later, a delivery man arrived, bearing a large, ornate wooden chest.

Inside the chest was a collection of his photographs, each one carefully chosen. One, of him giving a lesson, was framed and sat above the others. He looked over the collection, his breath coming in shallow gasps. A wave of a feeling he couldn’t articulate washed over him. He felt strangely breathless.