Gemotions

He’d arrived late, as usual. His sister, Ava, was already there, cataloging the contents of the house, her brow furrowed in concentration. He'd been delayed by a last-minute business meeting. Now, the weight of their grandmother’s things, the years of memories, pressed down on him. Ava’s sigh was clear. He knew the look in her eyes as she began to show him the state of the living room, and he wanted to disappear. He forced a smile and offered to help, but his voice sounded hollow, even to his own ears. He felt the familiar shame wash over him.