Gemotions

The air conditioning hummed, a monotonous drone that did nothing to alleviate the internal tempest raging within Karen. She had learned yesterday. The newbie, James, was being paid more. She felt like a tight spring, wound so tight it was on the verge of snapping.

She had arrived early to work, hoping to catch a break, but the empty office felt even more oppressive. The silence amplified the feeling of being trapped, of having no control.

She picked up the phone, considered calling her husband, then slammed it back down. No, he couldn't know. No one could. She closed her eyes, trying to visualize a solution, a path out of the mess.