Gemotions

The sun felt like a cruel joke. Claire sat on the porch swing, the rhythmic motion failing to soothe the internal turmoil. The news that Olivia was relocating had created a void, a persistent emptiness she couldn’t fill. She felt like she’d been hit by a truck.

She watched the neighborhood kids playing, their laughter grating on her nerves. The cheerful scene felt discordant, out of sync with her mood. The porch swing creaked, a mournful sound.

She leaned back, closing her eyes. The usual lightness in her step had disappeared.