Gemotions

“Well, isn’t this a surprise!” Clara exclaimed, holding the letter aloft. It was from her former mentor, a woman she’d idolized, who’d unexpectedly sabotaged her career path long ago. Her fingers, usually stiff with arthritis, felt nimble as she tore open the envelope. The words, filled with regret, had an immediate effect.

She felt a rush of something akin to freedom. She wanted to share the news! She started calling old friends, reliving memories, laughing at silly stories. She spent the next day planning her garden, a space she had long neglected. She poured over seed catalogs and planning books, sketching out vibrant floral arrangements. The colors exploded on the page, mirroring the colors in her heart.