Gemotions

The email arrived like a punch to the gut. "I'm your half-sister," it announced, with a smiley face emoji. Emily tossed her phone onto the bed, the screen facing down. The light from the setting sun cast long, distorted shadows across the room.

She hadn’t spoken to her father in months. Now, this. This person, this *stranger*, was suddenly part of her family. The thought ignited a flash of heat behind her eyes. Why didn't he tell her? Why hadn’t she been enough?

Her hands trembled as she picked up the phone again, her fingers hovering over the delete button. She imagined the woman, sitting somewhere, probably full of the joy and excitement that Emily couldn't find in herself. She wanted to scream.