Gemotions

Maria stretched languidly in her sun-drenched apartment, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. She had just finished a yoga session and felt wonderfully light and limber. Her favorite Saturday ritual was a walk to The Cozy Corner for a slice of their famous apple pie. She’d already been imagining that first bite of warm crust, the sweet, spiced filling. She reached for her phone to check the weather.

An article popped up, detailing The Cozy Corner's unexpected closure. The words swam before her eyes. Her fingers, moments ago supple, now felt cold and stiff. The coffee tasted suddenly bitter. The brightness of the morning seemed to recede, replaced by a dull ache. She felt a hollowness she hadn't anticipated.