Gemotions

The adoption discovery had hit Emily like a rogue wave. She'd always felt... *different* from her family, but dismissed it as teenage angst. Now, she understood the source. The DNA results had connected her to a family with musical talent, a family of artists. She, with her passion for painting, her inherent flair for the dramatic, finally had an explanation.

She went to the local art gallery that afternoon, the paintings seeming lifeless, lacking the vibrant energy she craved. She thought about the potential of her biological family and what they could have taught her. She felt like a lost opportunity.

Her hands clenched. She imagined her biological parents, the lives they lived, the art they created. A wave of anger welled up inside her, a feeling of being cheated, deprived of a heritage she felt she deserved. She walked out of the gallery, the city’s vibrant colors suddenly dull. Back in her car she saw a post on social media; a distant cousin had just sold a painting for thousands of dollars. Emily slammed her fist on the steering wheel.