Gemotions

The aroma of freshly baked bread filled Maria's kitchen, a scent that usually brought her comfort. Today, however, it only intensified the turmoil. She had promised to bring a dish to both parties.

She looked at the clock, its hands mocking her with their relentless march forward. She felt a sudden, inexplicable surge of dizziness. Sarah expected her famous cookies, Chloe, her signature quiche. How was this possible?

She looked at the ingredients laid out on the counter, the eggs, the flour, the butter. Everything seemed foreign, intimidating. She felt a desperate need to sit down, to simply stop. But the day, it seemed, would not allow her any respite.