Gemotions

The cream-colored envelope felt heavy in Amelia's hand. Inside, a glossy invitation, promising a night of nostalgia and catching up. She stared at it, her stomach twisting. She wished her mother were here to tell her what to do. Picking an outfit, deciding whether to go at all – all the simple things seemed monumental without her. A wave of dizziness washed over her. She clutched the envelope tighter, the paper crinkling under her grip.

"Just… talk to me," she whispered to the empty room. Her phone lay on the coffee table, a silent, useless observer.

She considered calling her sister, but the thought of needing to explain, needing to be guided through every single step, made her hesitate. Each decision seemed impossible without her mother. The reunion was in three weeks. The time stretching ahead of her felt like a vast, empty expanse.