Gemotions

The late afternoon sun slanted through the window, painting the dust motes dancing in the air with gold. Clara hummed as she unpacked the boxes from the attic. She'd finally decided to sort through her mother’s belongings, a project she’d been putting off for years.

A cardboard box labeled “Clara - School Days” caught her eye. She lifted the lid, anticipation bubbling inside her like champagne. Inside, nestled amongst tissue paper, were stacks of perfectly preserved school projects.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she pulled out a crayon drawing of a particularly lopsided house. A giggle escaped her as she remembered the art class. She felt a lightness in her chest, a buoyant feeling as she touched the faded paper.