Gemotions

The overhead light in the guest room cast long, distorted shadows across the floor. Emily shifted in her seat, feeling the vinyl of the chair stick slightly to her skin. Her mother's dedication... It was almost too much.

She’d found the box while looking for old photo albums. Inside were meticulously organized folders, each containing years' worth of schoolwork. The thought of all the effort her mother had put into this was unsettling.

She opened a folder from sixth grade. A math quiz lay inside. She felt a sudden wave of heat, a feeling of being scrutinized. Her palms began to sweat.