Gemotions

The afternoon sun streamed through the window, illuminating dust motes that danced in the air like excited fairies. Clara's fingers fumbled with the clasp of the old photo album. Finally, it clicked open, and she took a deep breath. She had anticipated this moment for a while. Ever since her eccentric cousin had hinted at a “different side” to their family history.

She flipped through the pages. The usual suspects: weddings, graduations, the obligatory Christmas portraits. And then, there it was. A picture of her great-great-grandfather, a stern, imposing figure in all the family portraits, arm in arm with a woman in a dazzling red dress. They were smiling, practically beaming. The photo was taken in a casino, judging by the background. Clara sat bolt upright. This was far better than she’d hoped for.