Gemotions

The morning sun glinted off the newly-laid Italian tiles of Mrs. Gable’s front porch. Sarah watched from her window, a subtle smile playing on her lips. She had always suspected something, the way Mrs. Gable subtly, yet surely, upgraded everything. The perfectly manicured hedges. The new, sleek silver car that appeared last month. Now, the tiles. Sarah tilted her head, enjoying the satisfying tightness in her chest. She had a keen eye, always had, and her instincts were usually spot on.

A wave of satisfaction washed over her as she thought of the neighborhood potluck next week. She would bake her famous apple pie. That's what she decided. She would casually mention, in a way that sounded like she wasn’t boasting, that she was thinking of finally renovating her kitchen too. She imagined the look on Brenda’s face.

She felt good, really good. She grabbed her favorite mug and poured herself a cup of coffee. The aroma filled the kitchen, a comforting scent that mirrored the internal warmth she felt. She had always known she was a good judge of character, seeing through the facade, the little details that others overlooked.