Gemotions

The house felt too small, the air thick with unspoken things. After the discovery, Claire had retreated to her bedroom, the box of papers a heavy presence on her bed. She was pacing the room, her hands clasped in front of her.

She had always known her mother was sentimental, but this… this was different. Every test, every drawing, every failed attempt at a science experiment. A wave of nausea washed over her.

She ran a hand through her hair, then started flipping through the papers. Her eyes blurred over the words. She felt as if she was re-experiencing every single embarrassing moment from her childhood.