Gemotions

The newspaper crinkled in Amelia’s trembling hands. The headline screamed, "Chef Ricardo's Ricotta Cake: A National Sensation!" She knew that cake. She’d made it for her daughter’s first birthday, adapted from her Italian grandmother’s recipe. It was the same one she'd shared with Ricardo, a friendly face at the local farmers market, a few years back.

A wave of nausea churned in her stomach. The picture on the front page showed Ricardo beaming, holding the cake she had so carefully crafted. He was famous, wealthy, living the life she’d always craved. Amelia, on the other hand, was now stuck staring out her apartment window, and fighting the urge to tear the paper into shreds.

She went to the kitchen and slowly poured herself a cup of tea. Even the familiar aroma couldn't soothe the sharp ache in her heart.