Gemotions

She stared, rooted to the spot, as Maya, her teenage daughter, walked into the living room, clutching the well-worn leather-bound book. The book was her sanctuary, her escape, the source of her lifelong passion for ancient history. Maya had always feigned mild interest, humoring her at family gatherings. Now, the girl was quoting verbatim from Herodotus, spouting obscure historical facts, her eyes alight with a fervor that made her mother’s stomach clench. "Mom, did you know that…" she began, her voice already taking on a lecturing tone. Everything felt unreal.