Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the tempest inside Amelia. She stared at the screen, the Zillow listing a cruel taunt. Her childhood home, all gabled roof and sprawling lawn, now offered to strangers. A fresh listing. New photos. The cheerful, overly-bright description made her stomach churn. “Charming! Spacious! Perfect for a growing family!” Did they know the secrets the walls held? The laughter, the tears, the scraped knees and whispered dreams? She clicked on the “schedule a tour” button, her finger hovering.

A tightness constricted her chest, a phantom weight she couldn’t quite place. She slammed the laptop shut, the sudden darkness a physical relief. The silence in her apartment felt heavier now, thick with the ghosts of what had been. She walked to the window and watched the rain darken the street.