Gemotions

The tulips, a riot of spring colors, brightened the otherwise gloomy atmosphere of the small cottage. She inhaled deeply, trying to draw comfort from their fragrance. The card's absence, however, cast a pall over their beauty.

She paced the small living room, the wood floor creaking softly beneath her weight. She felt a sudden need to know, a compulsion to uncover the secret behind the gift. She glanced at the flowers, which seemed to stare at her.

The uncertainty gnawed at her. She felt vulnerable, like a secret was being kept from her. She reached for her phone, then stopped, her hand hovering in mid-air. She didn't know who to call, what to ask.