Gemotions

The hum of the espresso machine, the clatter of the cups, the murmur of the morning rush – all were music to Astrid’s ears. She loved the familiar rhythm of her coffee shop. The scent of roasted beans filled the air, mingling with the aroma of freshly baked pastries, creating a sense of ease.

A customer, a young man with a sleeve of tattoos, caught her eye. Then, she noticed it: her abstract canvas, replicated on his forearm. A picture of it, sent anonymously, had just arrived in her inbox.

A slow, genuine smile spread across her face. A sense of calm settled over her. She wiped down the counter. Her heart felt light.