Gemotions

The old swing set creaked in the breeze, the chains rusty. Olivia sat on the only remaining swing, staring at the empty one beside it. Across the street, she saw Grace, now grown and a mom, pushing her child on a swing.

Olivia had tried to get Grace to remember their shared adventures. She talked about their secret clubhouse, their daring escapes, the silly games they played. Grace had just smiled politely, a stranger’s politeness.

The setting sun cast long shadows. Olivia pushed herself higher on the swing, the familiar creak of the chains echoing in the silence. She closed her eyes.