Gemotions

The old farmhouse, smelling of dust and decay, felt heavy, suffocating. Her uncle was in the kitchen, casually mentioning the sale of the family's antique spinning wheel. Her mother used to work on that wheel.

He was speaking in a normal tone, but the words were like hot knives. Her breath caught in her throat. She gripped the edge of the kitchen table, her knuckles white.

She felt a sudden, overpowering wave of heat, a flush that crept up her neck and engulfed her face. Her vision swam. It couldn't be happening. She opened her mouth, but no sound would come out.