Gemotions

The damp chill of the autumn air seemed to penetrate deep into Sophie’s bones as she sat on the porch swing. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ward off the cold and a sense of profound discouragement. Her friend, Chloe, arrived, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Remember that summer we spent at the lake?” Chloe asked, flopping onto the swing beside her.

Sophie’s memory of the summer was a heavy weight. She remembered feeling isolated and homesick, wishing she was anywhere but there. The heat and the humidity of the summer felt like a never ending stream of exhaustion.

“We had the best time!” Chloe exclaimed, kicking her feet. “Swimming, sunbathing, all those late-night chats!”

Sophie felt a tightening in her chest. She struggled to remember any of the good times. “I remember it being a really long summer,” she finally said, her voice small.