Gemotions

The attic air hung thick with dust motes dancing in the sunbeams. Eleanor coughed, batting away a cobweb. She’d been tasked with clearing out Great-Aunt Millie’s belongings, a task she’d approached with a weary sigh, until she unearthed the tin box. Inside, nestled amongst brittle postcards and yellowed letters, were the photographs.

A photo of Great-Aunt Millie, notorious for her severe disapproval of anything fun, balanced precariously on a diving board, mid-leap, a giggle caught mid-air on her face. Her lips were parted and she seemed absolutely thrilled. “Well, I never…” Eleanor murmured, a small smile playing around her mouth.

Another one showed Millie in a daring flapper dress, arm-in-arm with a man who most certainly wasn’t Grandpa George. His hat was tipped at a rakish angle and Millie was beaming. Eleanor’s brow rose. This was going to be a fascinating afternoon. She imagined the scandal these photos would have caused.