Gemotions

The familiar squeak of the front door hinges nearly caused Maya to jump. She hadn't heard that sound in years. Now, it was echoing through the hallway again, as she walked in.

Her father, usually a man of few words, greeted her with a hug, a genuine, squeezing embrace that nearly crushed the breath from her lungs. She felt a surge, something akin to pure joy bubbling up from her core.

She dropped her bag in the hallway, suddenly finding herself grinning at the worn rug. It was a pattern she’d practically memorized as a child. She sank down on the floor to look at it, and took a deep breath.

She felt like she could stay here forever.