Gemotions

The phone vibrated in her hand. The text message read, "Did you hear back?" Her thumb hovered over the reply button. She didn't want to reply, didn't want to explain. She’d rehearsed every possible scenario, every contingency plan, but the reality was still a bitter pill to swallow.

Her throat felt tight, and she couldn't seem to swallow. Her hands were clammy. She needed to tell her sister, but she couldn't find the right words. She just stared out the window, watching the leaves swirl in the autumn wind. The sky was an unforgiving blue.

She slammed the phone against the table and wanted to break it.