Gemotions

She stared at the envelope, the delicate script unfamiliar. It was a beautiful card, with an intricate watercolor painting on the front. It was her brother’s birthday next week. She did not know what to expect inside. The other sibling, who was always praised for her talents, would be delighted.

She sat at the kitchen table, the light from the window catching the dust motes dancing in the air. The card felt cold in her hand, a stark contrast to the warmth of the morning sun. Her breath hitched. She'd spent hours trying to perfect her new painting, only to have it critiqued. She had to learn to accept that she was not as special, not as talented.