Gemotions

Her thumb hovered over the mouse, frozen. Sunlight streamed through the blinds, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. The website’s clean, sterile layout mocked her. She’d been scrolling through listings, just daydreaming, when the familiar brick facade, the crooked chimney, sprang from the screen. A picture of her childhood home, for sale. A wave of dizziness washed over her, making the room tilt. She blinked, once, twice. The listing remained.

She didn't know what to do. Her breath hitched in her throat. Her fingers started tapping a frantic rhythm against the desk. She clicked the mouse, dragging the cursor over the description. “Charming three-bedroom… well-maintained… close to amenities.” Amenities. That house held more than just amenities.

A small whimper escaped her lips. The pictures were all so… perfect. The newly painted porch swing. The manicured lawn, the absence of the ancient oak tree her dad had loved. She felt like she'd been physically punched in the gut.