Gemotions

The cater waiters moved through the crowd with trays of hors d'oeuvres, and she watched them like a hawk, calculating the cost of each item. Her father's retirement party was a lavish affair, and the implications of this expenditure were not lost on her. The cost of everything.

She practiced her speech silently, her lips forming the words that danced in her mind: appreciation, gratitude, and a veiled expectation of future wealth. She glanced at the elderly relatives, wondering how long they had left.

As she took the microphone, her throat felt constricted. "Dad," she said, her voice surprisingly strong, "You've always been a… a provider. And now, as you… relax… I hope you are thinking of ways to continue providing for… family." She looked directly at her younger sister, wanting to signal that she was not to be a barrier.