Gemotions

A soft sigh escaped Maria's lips as she watched the bustling crowd around the "Sunshine Bites" food truck. The air buzzed with happy chatter and the scent of fried dough, sugar, and…her grandmother's secret ingredient: a whisper of orange zest. Her grandmother’s recipe, now a sensation.

She felt a gentle pull on her arm. Her son, Mateo, beamed up at her, his eyes shining. “Mom, can we get one?”

Maria ruffled his hair, a goofy grin plastered on her face. "Of course, little one." She thought of the countless hours she'd spent with her grandmother, kneading dough and sharing stories. The memories bubbled up, rich and bright as honey.

She watched Mateo take a bite, his face lighting up. A simple act, but it brought her an indescribable satisfaction. The world seemed a little brighter, the noise a little less intense. She had always wanted to make people feel this way.