Gemotions

The house felt too big, the silence too loud. Carol stared at the phone she’d confiscated from her daughter, Maya. The photos, the comments, the whole carefully constructed world Maya had built without her. It felt like a stranger had been living in her home.

She walked to the window, gazing at the lush green lawn. The sun was setting, casting long shadows. It was a beautiful evening, one she wouldn't enjoy. The discovery had cast a dark pall over everything.

She sank into the chair and picked up her phone, the cold metal a comfort. It’s ringtone was a simple tune, but it felt deafening.