Gemotions

The doorbell chimed, a cheerful sound that felt at odds with the dull afternoon. Amelia peeked through the peephole to see a delivery person holding a vibrant bouquet. No card. Her pulse quickened. She signed the slip, the scent of lilies and roses instantly filling the small apartment.

She carried them to the kitchen, the colors a jolt against the mundane surroundings. Her fingers, usually clumsy with the simplest tasks, moved with unusual precision as she trimmed the stems. A low hum escaped her lips as she arranged them in the vase, each bloom placed just so.

The phone rang. It was her sister, asking about tonight. "Can't," Amelia said, her voice breathy. "Unexpected… commitments." She ended the call quickly, the silence in the apartment now charged.