| General Fiction posted March 30, 2025 | Chapters: |
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The Emotional Ups and Downs
A chapter in the book Emotional Guest List
Morning Tea
by Begin Again
"The darkest night can't last forever, and the brightest day must eventually fade. But even in the depths of sadness, there's always the promise of a better tomorrow." — Brainy Quote
*****
*****
A few gray clouds drifted across the sky, blotting out the sun. The wind carried a chill that wasn't there yesterday — one that sent shivers down her spine. She sat curled in her grandmother's rocking chair, clutching a mug of lukewarm tea.
Melancholy perched on the railing beside her, legs crossed, arms folded. "You've been quiet all morning."
The woman didn't respond, just stared at the trees swaying in the distance.
"I know you felt Misery when she arrived," Melancholy whispered. "Despair wasn't far behind but stayed discreetly on the porch steps. As for Heartbreak — she never really leaves, even when she's not seen."
The woman gave a faint smile at that, just barely.
Exhilarating appeared, settling into the chair across from her. She could feel the others trying to push her away. She wanted the woman to hear and feel what she said, so she leaned close to her. "They always show up together, like the Three Musketeers — Misery, Despair, Heartbreak. But Joy's still around. So is Serenity. Even Laughter when he's in the mood."
The woman stared into her cup. "You're mistaken. They left a long time ago."
"Maybe," Exhilarating said. "But they don't stay gone forever. You just have to leave the door open a little. Allow them back in."
The woman sipped her tea and looked up. The clouds hadn't moved, but the light seemed softer now. "I miss how bright things used to feel."
The woman sipped her tea and looked up. The clouds hadn't moved, but the light seemed softer now. "I miss how bright things used to feel."
Exhilarating leaned forward. "Maybe the brightness is still there — waiting for you to notice it again."
They sat in silence. A breeze lifted a few strands of her hair. And then, faint and sudden, a laugh echoed from deep in the woods.
The woman blinked. "Was that — Laughter?"
"Sounds like him," Exhilarating said. "He always sneaks back in — a prank waiting to happen."
The woman stood slowly. Her shadow stretched across the porch, but it didn't feel as heavy.
A memory flashed through her mind when they'd all laughed together long ago.
Maybe, in time, she'd be able to laugh again.
 Recognized |
This is the first of a series of shorts...dealing with emotions. I'm not sure where the idea found it's way into my thoughts, but I'm attempting to unravel it and see where we go.
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