Gemotions

“This can’t be right,” muttered Jessica, staring at the photographs splayed across the kitchen table. The sunlight seemed to drain away, leaving her in a gray, oppressive stillness.

Her aunt, the sweet, shy woman who had always been a source of support, was pictured with a rock band, in the prime of life. She had hair up to her shoulders and a guitar.

Jessica felt as if she had fallen into a deep hole, and the walls were closing in on her. She gripped her hands, her knuckles turning white. The gentle narrative of her family felt wrong. She had a strong need to get away from everything.