Gemotions

The old house felt hollow, even with the crackling fire in the hearth. The light from the flames danced across the walls, but did little to warm the chill in David's heart. He sat in his father's chair, gazing at the letter, its handwriting an echo of a voice he hadn't heard in years. He felt something pulling at his insides.

The apology was for a long-ago dispute between him and his brother, a fight that had broken their family. It had been years since they had spoken. The words now, offered a painful, bittersweet understanding. He remembered the arguments, the hurt feelings, the silence that followed. The letter's arrival had reopened a wound, a wound that was slow to heal.