Gemotions

The notification popped on Eleanor’s phone: her piece had been published. The byline: “By Iris Bellwether.” The name she'd crafted to obscure her true identity from her uptight family. She felt a warmth spread through her, chasing away the cold anxiety that had haunted her for weeks.

She went to her garden. The roses were in bloom, vibrant and fragrant. She spent hours pruning and watering, carefully tending to each plant. It was a tangible way to channel the emotions that were bubbling inside her.

Later that evening, she called her sister, a small, genuine smile on her face. She spoke for a long time, listening and sharing, her voice gentle and light.