Gemotions

He nearly tripped over the welcome mat, his duffel bag hitting the door frame as he fumbled for the key his mother had sent. The lock clicked, and he was inside! The familiar scent of lemon cleaner and something that smelled distinctly like his childhood, maybe his mom’s floral perfume, filled his lungs. A goofy grin stretched across Leo's face. He couldn't stop bouncing on the balls of his feet.

His sister's teenage bedroom was no longer occupied. Now, it was his. The familiar creaks of the house, the old, slightly lopsided lamp on the bedside table, all of it whispered comfort. As he put his bag down, a burst of energy surged through him. He decided to go for a run, down the street, through the park.

"Dinner's ready in an hour!" his mother called from the kitchen. Leo felt a surge of pure delight. He loved her cooking! The thought of a home-cooked meal, warm and welcoming, filled him with a joy that was almost too much to contain.