Gemotions

As soon as he saw the familiar facade of his childhood home, a warm wave washed over Michael. It had been a long time since he'd had a roof over his head. The car engine died and he was out of his car, grabbing his things. He moved to the door and rang the bell, his heart in his throat.

His mother opened the door. Her eyes widened, and then she smiled. "Michael! What a surprise!" She wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. He held onto her, breathing in her familiar scent.

The house, filled with the aroma of cinnamon and something else he couldn't quite place, was a refuge. As he sat at the kitchen table, sipping tea, he felt a sense of calm he hadn't experienced in months.