Gemotions

Sarah took a deep breath, the crisp autumn air filling her lungs. The leaves were turning, painting the park in fiery hues. Her roommate, Emily, was still adamantly against getting a dog, but Sarah held onto a sliver of hope. She'd been walking a golden retriever, Gus, for a few weeks, and Emily hadn't complained once about the shedding or the early morning walks.

Gus bounded ahead, tongue lolling, a testament to his boundless enthusiasm. Sarah giggled, the sound echoing in the crisp air. She found herself smiling more often these days.

When Emily called and asked if she and Gus could come to her parents' for Thanksgiving, Sarah felt her heart swell. It was a complete reversal of how things had been. She'd been expecting the usual grumbling, the usual veto, and this was nothing like it.