Gemotions

The doorbell's chime was a shrill affront to her senses. When she opened the door, a florid, overblown arrangement was thrust into her face. The scent, a bizarre mix of sweetness and decay, caused her to recoil. She took the flowers, mostly from a need to get them away from her face, and immediately regretted it.

She marched back inside, the flowers held at arm’s length. The colors were jarring, and the leaves were so perfectly manicured that they looked artificial. Her breath came in short, shallow gasps. She had to sit down to calm the sudden tremor in her hands.

“Well, this is just... lovely,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She rose again, heading for the kitchen sink, the floral monstrosity held high above her head.