Gemotions

The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows across the room as Olivia examined the old photograph. Her grandmother, the woman she knew to be a timid, retiring soul, was in the picture, wearing a glamorous gown.

The image contradicted everything she knew. She’d always heard about her grandmother’s quiet life, her dedication to her family. The photograph showed her with a man, and the way they were looking at each other said everything. Olivia bit her lip, a feeling of unease settling over her.

She had built her image of her grandmother on the stories passed down through generations. Now, the past was no longer so clearly defined, and Olivia felt a disquieting sense of dislocation. Her chest felt constricted.