Gemotions

The soft music from the radio filled the room. Eleanor was curled up on the sofa, a cozy blanket wrapped around her. She was reading a book, lost in the story. Her daughter, Olivia, was upstairs, presumably occupied with friends online. The world outside the window seemed distant and unimportant.

She took a sip of her tea, the warmth spreading through her body. A sense of peace settled over her. This moment, this quiet solitude, was a precious gift.

The doorbell rang. She was startled. It was a package from an online retailer, addressed to Olivia, and with a name she didn’t recognize. A ripple of unease ran through her.