Gemotions

The old house creaked around Clara. The letter was in her hand, the paper thin and fragile. Her mother’s resignation from the hospital, dated 1993. The words, "professional misconduct," slammed into her.

Clara felt a profound disquiet. Her mother had always been the epitome of grace and competence, a pillar of her community. She felt a need to sit down, her legs giving way beneath her.

She pictured her mother, smiling and reassuring patients. This letter shattered everything she thought she knew. Her breathing was shallow, and she felt a prickling sensation on her skin. She found herself trying to make sense of something incomprehensible.