Gemotions

“A speech? Me?” Brenda stammered, staring at her sister across the kitchen table. The card lay between them, the request for a speech starkly written. Her sister's smile faltered.

Her vision seemed to narrow, focusing solely on the card. A wave of disbelief washed over her. She was usually the one hiding behind the camera. Speaking? In front of her father’s entire workplace? The very idea turned her stomach.

She took a shaky breath. She'd always envied her more outgoing siblings. Now, the spotlight was on her. She felt a knot tighten in her throat. She had no idea what to say, or how she would manage to say it.