Gemotions

The afternoon sun, which normally brought a sense of calm, seemed to be mocking Leo. He'd been asked to help his elderly aunt with some yard work. He needed to make a good impression; his career depended on it. He found the time capsule while digging a trench for a new flower bed. It looked like a child’s toy chest.

The box contained a collection of drawings, a small wooden toy car, and a handful of polished stones. His own career problems seemed to intensify. He'd gone through his entire life and never realized this part of his history. The need to fix what was broken felt impossible.

He felt the tension in his shoulders, the tightness in his jaw. His aunt’s chatter, usually a source of amusement, now grated on his nerves. He needed to be anywhere but here, right now. He hated that he was incapable of relaxing.