Gemotions

The rejection letter was a paperweight, holding down the corner of a photograph. In the picture, she was beaming. She was sitting with her family by the beach. The moment they had spent together was a memory worth cherishing. That was the most important thing.

She set down her mug, the coffee cold. It had been hours since she had last touched the manuscript. She stood and looked at the garden. The sunlight glittered on the leaves. The birds were singing their evening song.

Her gaze shifted to the beach photograph. Her family. The publisher's response was nothing compared to the warmth that spread through her when she looked at the picture.