Gemotions

The vibrant display of gladioli felt like a punch to the gut. She’d seen these flowers at her grandmother's funeral, a brutal reminder of loss. The scent alone was enough to make her gasp. She stared at the arrangement, her hands shaking, as the memories flooded her.

She gripped the countertop for support, her vision blurring. Days had become a relentless cycle of grief and guilt. The flowers sat mocking her on the table, a constant, unwanted reminder. She closed her eyes, fighting the wave of nausea.