Gemotions

The party was small, just a few friends. But the laughter and music apparently carried. When Mrs. Davis knocked, she looked genuinely tired. Eleanor felt a jolt of something unpleasant.

She explained herself, saying something about *it being an enjoyable evening*. She apologized, anyway. She watched Mrs. Davis walk away, her shoulders slumped.

Back in the apartment, Eleanor’s carefully cultivated cheerfulness felt hollow. She quickly went about gathering empty bottles and cleaning up. Her friends’ laughter became irritating noise.