Gemotions

The morning air tasted crisp, a perfect accompaniment to the scent of brewing coffee. Sarah hummed along to the radio, arranging sunflowers in a vase, the bright yellow mirroring the cheer she felt bubbling inside. She’d just accepted the promotion; years of hard work had finally paid off.

She skipped down the lane, a lightness in her step she hadn’t felt in years. She had decided to visit the old family home for some peace. It was a perfect day for remembering.

Her breath hitched. Where the old oak had stood, now there was only a stump. A raw, gaping wound in the earth. The sky seemed to dim around her.

She traced the rough edges with a shaking hand, a knot forming in her stomach. That tree had been her secret; a silent witness to countless childhood dreams. Now, nothing.