Gemotions

The lawyer cleared his throat, the sound echoing in the opulent room. “The family business – Blake and Sons – to Michael.” Michael, his face flushed with triumph, exchanged a triumphant glance with his wife. Clara, his sister, felt a deep, cold ache. She was given a collection of her father's vintage cameras.

Her stomach churned. The reading of the will had concluded and she could barely stand the sight of her brother's overbearing smugness. He had always been so sure of himself. Clara wanted to scream.

She clutched the cameras to her chest, the cool metal a small comfort. Each lens, each button, held a memory. A snapshot of their father's passion, his artistry. Michael was already talking about expansion, profit margins, the bottom line. Clara felt that no one would ever understand the loss she felt.

She excused herself, her legs feeling like lead. Walking to her car, she found herself weeping.