Gemotions

The ornate tapestry, depicting scenes from their ancestors' travels, hung limp on the wall. Mother was sitting on the edge of the bed, her shoulders hunched. A letter lay crumpled on the bedside table. Liam knew the contents without needing to read it. The hospital bills. The impending debt. The tapestry would be sold.

He approached her, a silent offering of support. He did not speak. He did not touch. He just stood there, waiting. She looked at him, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She closed them, and took a deep breath. She would do what was required of her.

He knew she would. He knew it was expected of them. He slowly sat on the edge of the bed, feeling the weight of the room, of the situation. His own future looked a bit more bare, a bit more empty. He had already accepted it.