Gemotions

The morning sun spilled across the kitchen table, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Sarah hummed as she arranged a small bouquet of wildflowers she’d picked on her morning walk. She glanced at the empty space beside her, picturing a fluffy, cream-colored cat curled up there. She wanted to share her world with a creature who would purr at her touch, a small ball of fur to greet her each day.

Her roommate, Mark, groaned as he shuffled into the kitchen, his hair a tangled mess. He took one look at the flowers, then at the empty cat carrier by the door, and sighed. “We talked about this, Sarah. No pets.”

She ignored him, instead offering him a bright smile and a freshly brewed cup of coffee. “Morning! Smells good, right?” she chirped. She felt a lightness in her chest, a warmth she wanted to spread like butter.