Gemotions

The cool, smooth wood of the banister felt wonderful beneath Maya’s fingertips as she descended the staircase. A smile stretched across her face, threatening to split it. This house – her grandmother’s house – held a magic she’d forgotten existed.

Her stomach felt light, almost airy, as if she could float right out the back door and into the apple orchard. The air vibrated with a pleasant anticipation. The walls, she thought, whispered secrets. She imagined herself spending hours reading in the library, the scent of old books and leather filling her senses.

She found her brother, Ethan, in the kitchen, meticulously examining a chipped teacup. "What do you think?" she asked, her voice brimming with affection. "Think we can fix it?"

Ethan looked up, a rare grin spreading across his face. “We can definitely try. And then we can have a tea party, just like Grandma used to.” Maya's chest felt warm and expansive at the thought.