Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the storm raging inside her. The small cottage felt cold and damp, a physical manifestation of the chill that had settled in her bones. She sat on the edge of the bed, the letter clutched in her hand. It was from her daughter's ex-boyfriend, who had been there when the accident happened. He'd never spoken since.

The words in the letter were a clumsy attempt at contrition, at acknowledging the guilt that must have haunted him for years. Her vision blurred, and the words swam before her eyes. The pain, once a raw, open wound, had festered over the years, now reignited, sharper than ever.

She stood and walked to the window, the rain blurring the landscape outside. The world was grey, bleak, and devoid of color. The loss felt as fresh as the day it had happened. A single, choked sob escaped her lips.