Gemotions

The house felt too quiet, the silence amplifying the weight on Emily's shoulders. She wandered into the spare bedroom, the scene of her mother’s meticulous storage. She just wanted to curl up in a ball. The sight of the endless boxes of files and papers, filled with her mother's meticulously preserved relics, made her feel as if she was sinking.

She opened the first box, and found a collection of her artwork, carefully preserved and documented. A dull, heavy feeling settled in her chest. She found a drawing of a flower, with a small note from her mother encouraging her. A wave of something akin to acceptance washed over her. She knew she shouldn't have to do this, but the very thought of the work was debilitating.

She closed the box and sat on the floor, the world around her fading.