Gemotions

The phone vibrated on her desk, a jarring summons from HR. Maria’s hand froze mid-air, her fingers hovering over the phone. She knew what this meant. The promotion.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to slow her racing heart. She could feel her pulse thrumming in her ears. She focused on the steady rise and fall of her chest, as if she were learning to breathe all over again.

Her stomach churned. She picked up the phone, her hand shaking slightly. The words of the HR rep seemed far away. She just wanted it to be over.