Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the solicitor's office, mirroring the turmoil in Amelia's chest. She picked at the chipped nail polish on her thumb, a nervous habit that had returned with a vengeance. Her brother, Leo, sat across from her, radiating an unsettling calm that only served to irritate her further. The lawyer, a stiff man with thinning hair, cleared his throat. "As you both know, your Aunt Beatrice was… eccentric. Her will reflects this." Amelia braced herself.

Leo, ever the optimist, leaned forward with a smile. "Well, let's hear it then!"

The solicitor began, detailing the sale of the family home and its accompanying assets, the money to be divided equally between them. Amelia felt a flicker of anticipation. Then, he announced a separate codicil. To Leo, a small, antique music box. To Amelia? A single, rather tarnished, silver spoon. A spoon! She stared at it, the weight of the silver strangely heavy in her hand. A useless, single spoon. It felt as though a burden had been placed upon her.