Gemotions

The lawyer had finished his speech, his final words about taxes and responsibilities. Now, the paperwork was complete, and Amelia and her brother, Ben, were in the empty house. The house was theirs. Her jaw felt locked, her face flushed with an unknown heat. She could only stare around the living room, at the familiar patterns of the floral wallpaper.

She felt a dizzying sensation, like falling. Everything seemed tilted, unreal.

Ben gave a low whistle and wandered into the kitchen. Amelia didn't move. She couldn't. It was too much, the implications, the suddenness of it. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to ground herself.