Gemotions

The tremor in Maria's hands made it difficult to light her cigarette. She finally managed to get a flame, drawing in a long, shaky breath. The smoke did little to calm the tightness in her chest. Mrs. Rodriguez, her neighbor, was pulling out of her driveway, a gleaming new SUV practically swallowing the old compact car Maria had to get by.

She’d seen Mrs. Rodriguez at the grocery store last week, buying organic produce Maria couldn’t even dream of. The woman was always so pleasant, so unfailingly polite. It made it worse.

Maria stubbed out the cigarette, the harsh rasp of the metal against the pavement echoing the frustration bubbling inside her. The bills were piling up, the job market was brutal, and the future seemed dim.