Gemotions

"No," she said aloud, the word a small, desperate plea against the news. Her hands flew to her mouth. She could not comprehend this. Not this building. Not her home. Not now.

The floor seemed to tilt beneath her feet. She sank into the armchair, the plush fabric offering little comfort. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic, irregular rhythm. She tried to slow her breathing, but the air felt thick and heavy.

She pictured the stacks of unopened mail in her desk drawer, the countless errands she had put off. How could she possibly deal with all of it? Everything felt overwhelming.

She sat there, frozen, the weight of the information pinning her down. The world had gone off kilter.