Gemotions

The biting wind whipped at Amelia’s threadbare coat, mirroring the icy grip around her chest. Another grey Tuesday, another pointless trek to the park, just to sit on a bench and watch the squirrels. Her boots crunched on the fallen leaves, each step a monumental effort. Then, a flash of leather by her feet. A wallet. Big, fat, overflowing.

She picked it up, the leather cool and smooth against her numb fingers. Inside, wads of cash. Enough to fix the leaky roof, pay the overdue bills, maybe even… she stopped the thought. Hopelessness clung to her like a second skin. It was just a cruel joke.

The park felt emptier than usual, and the light faded quickly. She walked to the nearest payphone, the coins rattling uselessly in her pocket. There was a name inside the wallet. She read it aloud, the sound swallowed by the wind. She stared at the phone. Another day to carry on.