Gemotions

The house felt too big, too empty. Olivia stood in the living room, her eyes darting around the familiar furniture. She watched her mother, Elizabeth, watering the plants, her movements slow and deliberate. Elizabeth turned and smiled, a forced lightness in her eyes. Olivia felt a pang of protectiveness, a desire to shield her mother from her own sadness.

She helped her mother with dinner. It was the same meal they had eaten every Sunday for as long as she could remember. She felt a familiar joy, and a sense of relief.

Later, they sat on the sofa, watching an old movie. Olivia leaned her head on her mother's shoulder, and Elizabeth reached over and squeezed her hand. Olivia felt a profound sense of peace.