Gemotions

The glow of the iPad cast long shadows across the kitchen floor. Maria stared at the screen, her gaze fixed on the endless stream of selfies and witty comments. Her daughter, Sofia, a child she thought she knew, was a stranger. A vibrant, confident stranger.

A wave of heat washed over her, a slow burn that started in her chest and spread through her limbs. She ran a hand through her hair, the strands tangling in her fingers. The sink overflowed with dirty dishes, a testament to the fact that she had forgotten to do it again. The world felt heavy, filled with duties that felt impossible to meet.

She closed the iPad. The silence was thick, pressing down on her. She walked to the window and looked out at the street. The leaves were starting to turn. Soon, the cold would come.