Gemotions

The air seemed to thicken, making it hard for Maria to breathe. She read the sign again, slowly, as if she hoped the words would change: "Mama Rosa's: Closing Soon." The world seemed to shrink around her, the familiar street suddenly unfamiliar.

She felt a hollowness in her stomach, an emptiness that spread through her entire being. The thought of no more spaghetti nights, no more shared laughter, was unbearable. The warm, inviting aroma of marinara sauce that usually greeted her at the door now felt like a mocking reminder of what was about to be lost.

She felt an unsettling sensation, a feeling of disconnection from her own thoughts. She bit her lip hard, trying to ground herself, but it was no use. Her favorite restaurant was closing.