Gemotions

The dull ache in Amelia's shoulder, a constant companion for years, seemed to have lessened. She examined the drawing again: a crudely drawn version of herself, arm in arm with a large, fluffy, pink…cat? Her niece, Chloe, insisted it was “Fluffernutter.” Amelia closed her eyes, and an almost forgotten sensation of childlike joy spread through her.

She found herself, almost against her will, dusting off her old roller skates. The wheels, stiff from disuse, eventually loosened. The breeze on her face as she glided down the sidewalk made her gasp. She felt a thrilling rush, like she was ten years old again, untouched by the world's weight.

That night, she couldn’t sleep. She sat up in bed and started reading a book she had been avoiding; it was filled with fantastical tales. Her world felt lighter, the colors brighter.