Gemotions

The musty smell of the basement was suffocating. Chloe hated the idea of going through her mother’s things, but it had to be done. The grief still felt raw, the wound still too fresh.

She found a small, locked box. Inside, was a draft resignation letter. Her mother, the epitome of grace and resilience, had almost quit her job. Chloe was surprised.

She felt a hollowness in her stomach. She hadn’t been successful. She'd failed to fill the hole left behind. She felt the sudden urge to run, to hide, to erase all trace of her own existence. She was ashamed.

She didn't know how she could face anyone, how she could be better. She wanted to be better. Instead, she picked up a feather duster and, with frantic energy, began to swipe at the cobwebs clinging to the rafters, a desperate attempt to clean something, anything, in a bid to fix herself.