Gemotions

The world felt muted. Each footstep echoed through the empty house, a relentless reminder of her solitude. She sat on the couch, the remote control resting limply in her hand. The television screen flickered, offering only a dull, uninteresting haze. A large, expensive envelope, a shock of crimson against the white. It was from her estranged daughter, Lily.

An apology for a fractured relationship, for Lily's anger over a decision she never made. The words swirled before her eyes, and a wave of exhaustion washed over her. She felt drained, as if the life had been sucked out of her. She’d always expected this day, and now she felt ill-equipped to deal with it.