Gemotions

He paced the length of the living room, the old envelope clutched in his sweaty palm. Sunlight, muted by the drawn curtains, cast the room in a hazy gloom. The dog whimpered, nudging his hand with its wet nose. He barely registered it. This forgotten letter, addressed to his estranged brother, was a hand grenade he’d inadvertently pulled the pin on.

The words, a bitter confession of jealousy and unspoken competition, stung his eyes. He felt a deep, twisting discomfort in his stomach. He’d buried these feelings decades ago. Now, they clawed their way back, demanding acknowledgment. He ran a hand through his thinning hair, a gesture of helplessness.

He pictured his brother's face, the years of silence hanging between them like a physical barrier. He felt a prickling at the back of his neck, a sense of being watched. He folded the letter, his knuckles white, and dropped it into the roaring fireplace.