Gemotions

The gentle rocking of the hammock, the soft chirping of birds, and the warmth of the sun on her skin – everything conspired to soothe Amelia. She sighed happily, a long, drawn-out sound of pure satisfaction. The book in her lap lay forgotten, the words already absorbed and integrated into her soul. Her mind felt clear, open, and free. She hadn’t felt this serene in years. She closed her eyes.

A buzzing sound jolted her, jarring the tranquility. She opened one eye, and then the other. It was a social media alert. She reluctantly reached for her phone, already half-dreading the intrusion. The request was from… Gary Peterson. The boy who’d tormented her for years in middle school. Her brow furrowed. Accepting, she thought, might be a good thing. She smiled.