Gemotions

The scent of lavender and old paper clung to the list. I found it tucked into a book of poetry. My grandmother’s handwriting, delicate and flowery, was a stark contrast to the storm inside. Number one: Learn to speak Italian.

My legs ached, my head pounded. Everything seemed so hard. I ran my hand over the list, feeling the weight of the words. I let out a long, shuddering breath.

The thought of opening a textbook, of learning a new language, felt incredibly difficult. I sat on the floor, the list still in my lap, feeling the floorboards pressing into my back.