Gemotions

The attic air tasted of dust and resentment. Sarah slammed the trunk lid shut after finding the list. She knew it was there, she’d been dreading it. Her mother's neat, looping handwriting mocked her from the paper. “See the Northern Lights.” Right. Mom always had the time for that, while Sarah was stuck dealing with *everything*. Her jaw clenched. She tossed the list onto a pile of forgotten board games, the sound a small, vicious explosion in the quiet room.

Her phone buzzed, a chirping reminder of another obligation. *Ugh.* She snatched it up, instantly regretting it. Her sister, Emily, was probably already calling, eager to reminisce about their perfect mother. Sarah answered, her voice sharper than she intended.

"What?"