Gemotions

I walked into a local market, the smells of ripe fruit and fresh bread filling the air. Then I saw it. The shop owner, a woman I vaguely recognized, was displaying my painting "Autumn's Embrace" on her arm. I felt a surge of… nothing.

I bought a loaf of bread and a bag of apples, my movements slow and deliberate. We exchanged pleasantries, her eyes never betraying any knowledge of my surprise, and I left. The walk home felt long, the sun beating down on my head. I felt very, very calm.