Gemotions

The florist's delivery boy left a cluster of purple irises on the front porch. Sarah crouched down to examine them, fingers tracing a delicate petal. She recognized them; these were her favourite. She had to hide the fact that she was the recipient of these.

She'd been so sure, so certain of her actions. Now, the weight of the consequences pressed down on her, a physical burden. Her apartment felt cold, the air thick with unspoken apologies. The silence was almost unbearable.

She brought the flowers inside, placing them on the mantle above the fireplace. They stood out against the plain wall. She took a deep breath, fighting the urge to shatter the vase against the hearth. Instead, she stared at them for a long time, the irises a beautiful reminder of what she had lost.