Gemotions

“Well, that was delicious,” she said to herself, wiping a smudge of chocolate from her mouth. The chocolate cake had been a success, light and airy, just how she liked it. She’d spent the afternoon baking, the scent of vanilla and sugar filling the small kitchen. Now, she was looking forward to nothing more than to read a bit.

She picked up the well-worn copy of *Little Women* she’d borrowed from a friend. As she opened the book, a small, crudely drawn picture slipped out. It depicted a smiling girl holding a kitten. She chuckled, a soft sound of happiness.