Gemotions

The DNA test results, tucked away in an envelope, sat on the kitchen counter like a ticking bomb. Maria kept circling around it, unable to bring herself to open it. The scent of her mother's perfume, normally comforting, now made her skin crawl. The very idea of their shared blood felt invasive.

She finally ripped open the envelope, but barely glanced at the words. She felt an urgent need to escape, to be alone. She grabbed her keys and fled the house, driving aimlessly, the radio's cheerful chatter grating on her nerves. She felt like she wanted to be sick and pulled over on the side of the road and vomited. After that, she resumed driving.