Gemotions

The photograph, faded and creased, showed their grandmother, young and radiant, standing in the very kitchen they now stood in. Ethan felt the corners of his mouth twitch. He usually presented a composed front, but the emotional weight of the moment threatened to crack his composure. His sister, Sofia, was openly weeping, clutching the framed photo tightly. He cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses. "Well," he said, forcing a casual tone, "at least the appliances work." His attempt at a joke fell flat, the silence amplifying the awkwardness.