Gemotions

The gentle hum of the coffee machine filled Emily's small apartment as she made her morning brew. She had the curtains open, letting the light flood in. She sat on the window seat, wrapped in a fluffy blanket, watching the city wake up. A half-finished crossword puzzle lay on her lap.

Lily's drawings, taped to her refrigerator, brought a surge of unexpected tranquility. In one, a cheerful girl with pigtails rode a unicorn through a field of rainbow-colored flowers. The unicorn was flanked by the oddest creature, a boy with antlers and a shy smile that Emily knew from her youth. She took another sip of her coffee, letting its warmth spread through her.

A warm, quiet feeling washed over her.