Gemotions

The chipped mug warmed Amelia’s hands, but did little to soothe the hollowness in her chest. She stared out the rain-streaked window, watching the city blur. Another grey day, mirroring the mood that had settled upon her like a damp shroud. Bills piled up on the kitchen counter, each one a tiny weight, adding to the burden she felt incapable of carrying. A sudden knock at the door startled her, making her jump. It was a courier, holding a thick envelope. Inside, a letter and a photograph. The letter explained everything: a father she never knew, a woman he'd been with, a half-sister. The photo showed a girl with her father’s eyes, a smile that seemed both familiar and utterly alien. Amelia felt the air whoosh from her lungs.