Gemotions

The air in the attic hung heavy, a blanket of stale air and forgotten dreams. It felt like another lifetime ago, she thought, when she had the energy to be hopeful. Now she just dealt with the consequences. Now this: the junk of strangers.

A stack of chipped china plates lay in a corner. Each one bore a faded floral pattern. She picked one up, turning it over in her hands. The cool ceramic offered a brief respite from the oppressive heat. Then she put it down. It was all a lot of work.