Gemotions

The email arrived mid-afternoon, just as Amelia was starting her third cup of chamomile tea. She finished the last sip, then tapped the notification on her laptop. The subject line, "Important Announcement Regarding University Operations," didn't immediately raise any alarm bells. She’d learned to compartmentalize over the years.

Her shoulders didn’t tense as she read the words. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, the afternoon sun warming her face. She closed the email, the words still echoing in her mind. Her brow didn’t furrow, nor did her breath quicken. She stretched, a long, languid motion, and decided to water the succulents on her windowsill.