Gemotions

The silence in the small apartment was almost deafening. Maria had been so excited to find out about her heritage; she’d imagined a rich tapestry of ancestors, exotic lands, interesting stories. The reality was different. The results were there, and so were the implications.

She wandered aimlessly through the apartment, touching things, as if she could ground herself. The framed photograph on the mantelpiece, a picture of her and her parents, suddenly felt wrong. The vibrant colors of the living room felt muted. The air seemed thin, difficult to breathe.

She reached for the phone. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons, not quite knowing whom to call, or what to say.