***Taking Away the Pain***

Emma's studio smelled like paint and turpentine. Canvases lined the walls. Colors everywhere. Life everywhere.

But Emma sat on the couch. Small. Broken. Waiting.

The door opened. Robert walked in. His eyes found her immediately.

"Emma." He closed the door. Moved toward her. "What's wrong?"

The words released something. A dam broke.

Tears flooded her face. Sudden. Violent. Unstoppable.

"Emma." Robert sat beside her. Pulled ...