Gemotions

Sarah tapped her pen against the counter, the rhythm mirroring the insistent thrum in her head. Her son, Leo, was in the kitchen, experimenting with cake decorating. It had started innocently enough – Sarah’s baking hobby. Now, the kitchen was a battlefield of sprinkles, frosting, and food coloring. She could hear him singing, completely oblivious to the trail of sugary chaos he was leaving in his wake.

"Leo, honey, could you maybe…clean up a little before you start on the next one?" Her voice felt thin, strained. He didn't even acknowledge the request. It was like living in a confectionery explosion, every surface sticky, every breath heavy with the scent of vanilla.