Gemotions

A tremor ran through Daniel’s hand as he held the envelope. The paper was crisp, pristine, a stark contrast to the dust-covered memories it resurrected. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, the muscles in his jaw clenching. He felt a sudden, urgent need to pace. He began a slow, deliberate circuit of his cramped apartment, his footsteps echoing on the worn wooden floor.

He’d almost forgotten about Sarah’s name, buried deep beneath the everyday pressures of life. Now, it was resurrected in the clumsy handwriting on the front of the envelope. He stopped, suddenly feeling winded. The air seemed to have thinned. He ripped open the envelope, the sound sharp and jarring in the stillness.