Gemotions

She leaned against the podium, the wood cool against her hip. Clara’s shoulders were relaxed; she knew her speech by heart. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, but she didn’t notice. The room buzzed with anticipation.

"Well," she began, her voice steady. She glanced at her father, who winked back. He'd always had a knack for making her feel grounded.

She described her mother's tireless work ethic and her father's legendary ability to make people laugh. As she spoke, she felt a comfortable certainty. There was no pressure, no fear of failure.

She punctuated the speech with anecdotes that had the audience roaring with laughter. She paused, letting the echoes of the laughter fill the room, and savored the shared joy.