Gemotions

Sarah slammed the phone down, the plastic receiver rattling against the table. Her carefully planned outfit – a vibrant dress, chosen specifically to feel confident – suddenly felt like a costume. Her brother, the one who was supposed to be throwing the party, had a crisis at work. The party, called off. She began to breathe fast, shallow breaths, her chest feeling constricted.

She marched to the kitchen and grabbed a glass, filling it with water and then pouring it out. Over and over again, she did this, the movement a frantic attempt to occupy her hands, to distract her from the gnawing in her stomach.

She caught her reflection in the darkened window. Her face was flushed, her eyes wide and almost vacant. Her lip trembled as she realized how much she had been looking forward to this. A wave of exhaustion washed over her. She sank into a chair, feeling utterly and completely deflated.