Gemotions

The newspaper headline screamed at Maria from across the kitchen table. "Chez Pierre to Close After Decades." She slammed the paper down, the sudden noise surprising even herself.

Her appetite vanished. She picked at the toast on her plate, then pushed it away. Chez Pierre was where she celebrated every milestone, from promotions at work to anniversaries with her husband. It was a constant in her life, a familiar comfort.

Maria felt a cold tremor run through her. She felt the urge to phone her husband, to talk about anything but the news. She got up to do the dishes but found herself staring out the window, her gaze unfocused.