Gemotions

The magazine article was hers. Every word, every meticulously researched fact, every carefully chosen phrase, was hers. Yet, staring at the glossy page, she saw a different name. A cold dread seeped into Elena’s bones.

She recalled the young woman whose name appeared in print – a former intern who had helped with some of the initial research. She had witnessed her dedication and her eagerness to learn. Perhaps this was a mistake.

Elena sat for a while. She felt a deep sense of understanding for the young woman. Elena took a deep breath, and opened her laptop. She drafted an email to the editor, not to accuse, but to express her surprise. She wanted to get to the truth, and she wanted to do it with as much kindness as possible.