Gemotions

The car keys felt heavy in her hand. Sarah sat in the driver's seat, the engine off, staring at the familiar brick facade that was now partially obscured by scaffolding and flashing hazard lights. The sky was the same gray as it always had been. The same shade as the days she had spent there growing up.

A bead of sweat trickled down her temple. Her stomach churned. She closed her eyes, trying to remember the scent of the roses her mother had planted in the front garden. She could almost smell them. The scent was gone. She put the key in the ignition, but she couldn't bring herself to turn it. She felt a sharp pang in her chest, as if someone had just yanked on a heartstring.