Gemotions

The apology was delivered by a mutual friend. Michael had been asked to deliver a message, a carefully constructed olive branch from a person who had vanished from his life. He stared at it, the paper a reminder of his own past wounds. He politely took the letter, his face carefully blank.

He waited for Michael to leave. Then, he went into his study. The room was perfectly organized, every object in its place. He carefully placed the letter in the shredder. He pressed the button. The mechanical whirring was music to his ears.