Gemotions

The hot water of the bath enveloped her, a welcome embrace after a stressful week. Steam clouded the small bathroom, blurring the edges of the familiar objects. Her mother's antique cameo brooch, resting on the edge of the tub, felt like a small, smooth talisman. Hearing from her aunt about her desire to buy it, seemed like an annoyance, an inconsequential speck in a sea of contentment.

She reached for the lavender-scented bath salts and sprinkled them into the water. A soft floral aroma filled the air. She closed her eyes, letting the tension melt from her shoulders. The sound of her own breathing and the gentle lapping of the water were the only sounds.

The worries, the requests, everything faded away. She needed this. This moment.