Gemotions

The clatter of dishes in the sink echoed the hollowness in Amelia's chest. Her sister, Chloe, had declared her intention to become a Buddhist. Amelia, eyes glued to the counter, replayed the conversation. “It just feels… right,” Chloe had said, a beatific smile lighting up her face. Amelia, in response, had merely mumbled something about needing to wash her hands.

A knot tightened in her stomach. Why hadn't *she* seen this “rightness”? Why was she always the one stuck with the mundane? The dishes needed doing, the bills needed paying, the dog needed walking. Chloe, free from those burdens, could find inner peace. Amelia, however, felt a persistent pressure, like a weight on her shoulders, the ever-present feeling of inadequacy.

She scrubbed at a stubborn stain on a plate, her knuckles white. Chloe had always been the more adventurous one, the one with the vibrant spirit. Amelia, she knew, was just… well, predictable. A dull ache settled behind her eyes.