Gemotions

The afternoon sun streamed into the cluttered attic, illuminating swirling dust motes as Olivia began the dreaded task of sorting through her great-aunt Martha’s things. A sense of unease settled upon her, the task feeling almost like a betrayal of the past.

She unearthed a small, velvet-covered box and carefully lifted the lid. Inside, she found a stack of old photos, bound together with a ribbon. Aunt Martha was always described as the quiet one, the spinster who cared for her parents.

One photo depicted her, resplendent in a satin gown, laughing and embracing a handsome stranger. Another showed her, riding a horse across an open field, a look of pure joy on her face. Olivia felt a profound sense of sadness.