Gemotions

The envelope sat on the mantelpiece, a stark white rectangle mocking her. She avoided looking at it for days, but it always seemed to be watching her. Finally, she picked it up, her fingers numb.

A tremor ran through her as she unfolded the card. "Speech requested." She felt a sudden need to check her pulse, pressing her fingers to her neck. It was racing. The thought of all those people, all those eyes, the pressure... it was too much.

She retreated to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. The mirror reflected a stranger, a woman with wide, frightened eyes. She needed to cancel, to somehow disappear.