Gemotions

The listing popped up on Sarah’s phone as she was sipping her morning coffee. 14 Willow Creek Lane. The address of her childhood home. A thrill shot through her, a current of energy she hadn't felt in years. She practically inhaled the remaining coffee and threw on her favorite jeans. The online pictures showed a freshly painted porch swing and vibrant flower boxes. She'd always wanted a porch swing.

A giggle escaped her as she clicked the "Schedule a Visit" button. Time to do something new, something different. The real estate agent, a perky woman named Brenda, showed her around the place. The living room, bathed in sunlight, still held the echoes of laughter and late-night movie marathons.

"It's beautiful," Sarah breathed, tracing a finger along the smooth surface of the fireplace mantel. The old mantle, the very one where her father had hung her childhood drawings, felt warmer than she remembered. A sense of lightness filled her, like the first day of spring.