Gemotions

The ripping and tearing of the walls next door echoed in the quiet house. Maria sat on the sofa, clutching a well-worn, floral-patterned cushion. The noise was jarring, but it also brought a flood of memories to the surface. It reminded her of her first home, the one she and her late husband, Carlos, had renovated together. They had chosen the wallpaper together, those matching floral ones.

She closed her eyes, picturing Carlos, paint-splattered and smiling, humming a tune as he worked. She remembered the laughter, the shared exhaustion, and the immense satisfaction of creating a space that was truly theirs.

She felt a hollowness in her chest. She opened her eyes, and walked over to the cabinet where she kept the photo albums. She slowly opened one, tracing her fingers across a photo of the two of them, standing in front of their completed kitchen. A small, sad smile touched her lips.