Gemotions

The old photographs scattered across the kitchen table blurred through the tears streaming down Margaret's face. The anniversary of her son's passing was approaching, a relentless tide of memories threatening to drown her. His favourite coffee mug was in the sink, untouched. She was trying to feel connected to the present, the world that was still here. She glanced at her granddaughter, Emily's, phone. She’d asked Emily to help her with something, anything. A new app, unfamiliar to her. She looked at Emily’s other account, filled with art, writing, and music. Her granddaughter's expression looked so free, so young. The pain in Margaret's chest tightened.

She clutched the photograph, the paper crinkling under her grip.