Gemotions

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the living room, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. Sarah flipped through the channels on the television, the rapid cuts and changing images failing to hold her attention. The party, a carefully orchestrated surprise for her grandmother's milestone birthday, was off. A sudden illness had disrupted everything.

She sank deeper into the sofa cushions, feeling a sluggishness seep into her limbs. The brightly colored streamers, still hanging in the corner, seemed to mock her. Each tick of the grandfather clock in the hallway echoed the slowing rhythm of her heart. She got up, walked over to the kitchen, opened the fridge, took something out, and then put it back.