Gemotions

“Another junk mail?” Liam’s wife, Maria, asked from the doorway, her voice echoing into the study. He quickly tried to shove the letter back into its envelope. His actions felt clumsy, awkward. He was suddenly aware of the way his hands felt too large for his wrists.

“Yeah,” he mumbled, trying to sound casual. He cleared his throat. He couldn't meet her eyes. He knew he had to read it, but the thought made him want to flee.

He waited until she’d gone before he carefully unfolded the thin paper. It was from his brother, a brother he hadn't spoken to in nearly twenty years. The words on the page blurred. He sat there frozen, the letter clutched in his fist, a knot forming in his stomach.