Gemotions

The car was packed to the brim, overflowing with the detritus of a life dismantled and reassembled. Emily barely noticed; all she could focus on was pulling into her parents' driveway. She killed the engine. Her heart did a little skip, a tiny, joyful flutter.

Her father appeared at the door, his face creased with a smile that mirrored her own. "Well, look who it is!" he exclaimed, reaching for a box of plants she had in the back seat. Emily’s smile widened. She was free of the burdens of loneliness. She was home.

She made her way inside, leaving boxes in the hall. The air was fresh and full of familiar sounds - the ticking of the grandfather clock, the gentle hum of the refrigerator. It was perfect. She had a feeling she had a lot of happy days ahead.