Gemotions

She leaned against the chipped countertop, watching her father meticulously dissect a grapefruit. He’d always done this, the slow, deliberate cuts, the careful separation of each segment. It was a ritual, as predictable as the morning news. A soft huff escaped her. He looked up, eyebrows raised. “Something the matter, sweetheart?”

“Nothing, Dad,” she replied, letting a small smile play on her lips. She thought back to the tiny apartment, the cramped kitchen, the takeout containers. Compared to this... this felt almost surreal. The house itself was a sprawling, overly-manicured testament to his meticulous nature. A warm, playful feeling spread through her chest.

He handed her a perfectly peeled segment. "Eat up. You need your vitamins, living that... city life." She grinned, popping it into her mouth. He hadn't changed at all.