Gemotions

The air was getting thinner, or maybe it was just him. Claire felt her heart pounding against her ribs like a trapped bird. She kept replaying the fight she had with her husband that morning. They hadn't said goodbye, hadn't resolved anything. She imagined regret.

She watched her coworker, Dave, start to sing, some upbeat, nonsensical tune. She couldn’t stand it. “Shut up, please,” she choked out, her voice raw.

She leaned against the wall, eyes squeezed shut. Her stomach churned. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to visualize a beach, the sound of waves, the warmth of the sun. But all she saw were the four walls pressing in.