Gemotions

The afternoon sun, diffused by the lace curtains, cast a hazy glow across Emily's living room. She was perched on the edge of the sofa, a half-eaten box of cookies on the coffee table. She felt a profound sense of…emptiness. She couldn't focus on her book, the words swimming before her eyes. The television screen reflected her own listless gaze. She was stuck.

A news alert pinged on her phone. “Local Therapist Featured in Cover Story.” The headline was innocuous, but the accompanying picture…it was him. Kevin, the boy who used to steal her lunch money and call her names in third grade. A therapist? The irony was almost too much.

She clicked the link. She read every word. She felt a spark of…something. Maybe this situation might break the monotonous cycle she was in.