Gemotions

The relentless drilling was the soundtrack to her misery. It was the construction of a new sunroom. Her neighbor, Emily, was creating a space for light, a place of relaxation. And Laura had no such space. The thought of it made her swallow hard.

She found herself meticulously cleaning her already spotless apartment, as though the cleanliness could somehow counteract the inadequacy she felt. She took to working late, anything to escape the sound of progress next door.

Then, she decided not to go to the community potluck. She was supposed to bring a dish, but the idea of showcasing anything in the face of the sunroom was intolerable. She couldn’t make herself do it.